Wild walk-off caps Tortugas sweep of Blue Jays

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Thanks to a dropped third strike, a double, and a pair of errors, the Daytona Tortugas stunned the Dunedin Blue Jays to walk-off with a 6-5 victory in 10 innings in front of 2,175 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Wednesday night.

Trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the 10th with the tying run at third and down to his final strike, 3B Jonathan India (1-5, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, SO) swung and missed at a pitch in the dirt. However, the throw down to first base - which would have ended the game - sailed wide and ended up in right field. RF Andy Sugilio (0-5, R, 2 SO) scored from third to knot the contest up at five.
On the very next pitch, 1B Bruce Yari (1-2, 2B) - who had entered the game as a defensive replacement in the eighth - whacked an offering into the right-centerfield gap. As India raced towards third, the ball squirted past both the center and right fielder and rolled to the wall. The defensive miscue enabled the 22-year-old to score from first and sent the Tortugas home with a 6-5 victory.
Thanks to the long ball, Daytona had initially jumped out to a 4-1 lead. Following a two-out single by 2B Alejo Lopez (1-5, R, SO) in the first, India cranked a laser to sailed on top of the batting cages in left for a two-run home run. The blast - his third of the year - gave the 'Tugas an early 2-0 advantage.
After Dunedin pulled to within one on an RBI double by LF Norberto Obeso (1-4, 2B, RBI, SO), Daytona left the yard again in the fourth. With one on and one out, C Hendrik Clementina (3-4, R, HR, 2 RBI) clobbered the first pitch of the at-bat over the manual scoreboard in left for a two-run clout. The homer - his first of the campaign - stretch the Tortuga lead to 4-1.
Much like Daytona, the Blue Jays used the gopher ball to draw even. Following a leadoff walk in the seventh, SS Logan Warmoth (3-4, R, HR, 2 RBI) crushed a two-run blast - his second of the year - over the same scoreboard in left to make it a 4-3 affair. The very next inning, 1B Ryan Noda (1-4, R, HR, RBI, BB) lofted a fly ball to deep right-centerfield. His shot carried just over the fence for a solo shot - his second of 2019 - to even the contest up at four.
The Blue Jays had grabbed their first lead of the night in the top of the 10th thanks to a sacrifice fly to center by 3B Cullen Large (1-4, RBI, SO).
Neither starter received a decision on Wednesday night. RHP Michael Byrne (5.0 IP, 4 H, R, ER, 4 SO) left in line for the win after five innings of one-run ball for Daytona. Dunedin's RHP Justin Dillon (5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, BB, 6 SO) surrendered a pair of home runs.
RHP Mac Sceroler (3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) suffered a blown save, but battled back to collect his second win of the season. It was a tough-luck defeat for Dunedin's RHP Matt Shannon (2.2 IP, H, 2 R, BB, 2 SO) who yielded a pair of unearned runs for his second loss.
The Tortugas will continue their seven-game homestand, as the Bradenton Marauders, High-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, come to town for a four-game set on Thursday night. Daytona is scheduled to send LHP Reiver Sanmartin (0-1, 3.80 ERA) to the mound in the lid-lifter. LHP Domingo Robles (2-2, 3.13 ERA) is slated to make the start for the Marauders.
The Tortugas Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 6:50 p.m. ET, leading up to the 7:05 p.m. ET start at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Thursday evening's game can be heard on daytonatortugas.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
The biggest party in Central Florida will rock The Jack, as the Tortugas host their Thirsty Thursday presented by Bud Light. Fans in attendance will be able to enjoy draft beers and fountain sodas for just $1 all evening long.
Season ticket and multi-game plans 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.