'Tugas trip up Tarpons in finale, 7-3

TAMPA, Fla. - Courtesy of three runs batted in by LF Lorenzo Cedrola and 4.1 frames of perfect relief by the bullpen, the Daytona Tortugas scratched past the Tampa Tarpons, 7-3, on Wednesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Scoreless through three, Daytona (17-18, 52-48) opened the scoring in the fourth. With two on - thanks to singles from DH Alejo López (1-5, R, SO) and 3B Bryant Flete (1-3, 2 R, 2 BB, SO) - and two out, 2B Yonathan Mendoza (2-4, 2 R, 2B, RBI) hit a looper into shallow left. The ball bounced in for a single - scoring López - to put the Tortugas in front, 1-0. Two more run-scoring singles from C Mark Kolozsvary (1-3, RBI, BB, SO) and Cedrola (2-4, 2B, 3 RBI) extended the advantage to 3-0.
Tampa (16-19, 44-57) began to chip away at the deficit in the fourth. LF Pablo Olivares (1-4, R, SO) began the frame with a single and advanced to third on a pair of ground outs. DH Omar Carrizales (1-4, RBI) slapped an RBI single to left, pulling the Tarpons within two, 3-1.
In the fifth, Tampa managed to tie the game. After loading the bases to begin the frame on a single and a pair of walks, Olivares grounded into a double play to chase home a tally to make it 3-2. CF Estevan Florial (1-4, RBI) then roped a run-scoring single to right to knot the contest up at three.
The contest did not stay even for long. Consecutive walks ignited the top of the sixth for Daytona before a bunted fielder's choice and fly out stalled the rally. Cedrola made sure it didn't come to a close, as the 21-year-old ripped the first pitch he saw down the left-field line. Both runners scored on Cedrola's double, putting the 'Tugas back ahead, 5-3.
Daytona would add two more insurance runs in the ninth thanks to RBI singles by RF Michael Beltré (1-5, R, RBI) and 1B Bruce Yari (1-4, RBI, BB, SO) to make it a 7-3 contest.
The Tortugas bullpen was stellar again on Wednesday. After RHP Diomar López and RHP Dauri Moreta retired all nine batters faced on Tuesday, RHP Michael Byrne (2.1 IP, 2 SO), LHP Andy Cox (1.0 IP), and RHP Connor Bennett (1.0 IP, SO) united to sit down all 13 batters faced on Wednesday to secure the win. Byrne earned credit for his fourth victory of the season.
Neither starter received a decision. Daytona's RHP Jared Solomon (4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO) failed to make it out of the fifth, while Tampa's RHP Jio Orozco (2.2 IP, 3 H, BB, 2 SO) was removed in the third with an apparent injury. His replacement - RHP Jefry Valdéz (3.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB) - ended up suffering his second defeat.
Daytona's road trip continues on Thursday, as the Tortugas head to Kissimmee to open up a four-game set against the Florida Fire Frogs, the High-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. RHP Wendolyn Bautista (3-3, 3.81 ERA) is expected to take the mound for the 'Tugas in the lid-lifter. Florida is projected to counter with RHP Tristan Beck (2-1, 4.88 ERA).
The Tortugas Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 11:45 a.m. ET, leading up to the 12:00 p.m. ET start at Osceola County Stadium. Thursday afternoon's contest can be heard on www.daytonatortugas.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
Following the lengthy road trip, the Tortugas will return to The Jack to open up a three-contest set against the St. Lucie Mets, the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets, on Friday, August 2. Daytona continues its Best Dressed Friday series, as players and coaches will don special uniforms in honor of the 25th anniversary of comedy classic, "Dumb and Dumber". Those jerseys will be auctioned off online throughout the weekend. It will be another Friday Night Happy Hour presented by Kona Brewing with buy-one, get-one Kona beer products and Bud Light from 5:30 p.m. until first pitch. Finally, after the game, fans will be treated to another splendid Postgame Fireworks display.
Multi-game plans and single-game tickets are still currently available and can be purchased online at www.daytonatortugas.com, or by calling the Tortugas' Ticket Office at (386) 257-3172.
ABOUT THE DAYTONA TORTUGAS
The Daytona Tortugas are the High-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of the Florida State League. The Tortugas play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in downtown Daytona Beach, Fla. Jackie Robinson Ballpark also plays host to Bethune-Cookman University, the Beijing Shougang Eagles of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) and many large community events and initiatives throughout the season.