Yari yanks 'Tugas past Stone Crabs, 8-4

24-year-old clubs first home run of the year, drives in four in triumph

1B Bruce Yari picked up three hits - including a two-run homer - and drove in a career-high-tying four runs, as the Daytona Tortugas knocked off the Charlotte Stone Crabs, 8-4, on Wednesday afternoon at Charlotte Sports Park. (Aldrin Capulong)

By Justin Rocke

May 15, 2019

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - 1B Bruce Yari did not let his recent 2-for-19 stretch at the plate carry over into this afternoon's game. The 24-year-old smashed a home run and drove in four, as the Daytona Tortugas boiled the Charlotte Stone Crabs, 8-4, on Wednesday afternoon.

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - 1B Bruce Yari did not let his recent 2-for-19 stretch at the plate carry over into this afternoon's game. The 24-year-old smashed a home run and drove in four, as the Daytona Tortugas boiled the Charlotte Stone Crabs, 8-4, on Wednesday afternoon.

Daytona (20-18) wasted no time jumping to an early lead. With one on and one out in the top of the first, 3B Jonathan India (2-3, 2 R, 3B, RBI, 2 BB, SO) ripped a line drive into left field. The ball clanged past a diving Garrett Whitley and rolled to the wall. India stopped at third with an RBI triple to give the Tortugas a 1-0 lead. After a pop out, CF Stuart Fairchild (2-3, 3 R, 2B, 2 RBI, BB) poked a run-scoring double to right and Yari (3-5, R, HR, 4 RBI) followed with an RBI single to stretch the edge to 3-0.
In the fifth, the Tortugas added another three-spot to their ledger. India drew a two-out free pass and DH Drew Mount (1-5, R, 3B, RBI, 2 SO) proceeded to clobber a shot to deep right-center. The 23-year-old slid into third with a run-producing triple to put Daytona ahead, 4-0. An infield single by Fairchild chased home another tally, while Yari added another RBI knock of his own to make it a 6-0 affair.
Yari capped off Daytona's offensive outburst in the seventh. Following a plunking of Fairchild, Yari golfed a 3-1 offering to deep center field. The blast banged off the batter's eye for a two-run shot - his first of the year - enlarging the 'Tugas cushion to 8-0.
Charlotte (19-20) would not go quietly, scoring the game's final four runs. In the seventh, the Stone Crabs broke up the shutout with an RBI double by 1B-3B Jim Haley (2-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI) and a run-producing knock from C Joey Roach (3-4, 2B, RBI). Haley added an RBI single in the eighth and a base-hit from 2B Vidal Brujan (1-5, RBI, SO) scored another in the ninth.
LHP Packy Naughton (7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 5 SO) was nearly untouchable on Wednesday. The 23-year-old lasted a team season-long seven innings to earn his fourth win of 2019. Naughton retired 13-straight batters in one stretch from two outs in the bottom of the first until the beginning of the sixth.
In his first Florida State League start, RHP Stephen Woods Jr. Jr. (4.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO) did not find similar success. The SUNY Albany alum issued five runs on five hits, suffering his first defeat.
Daytona will try and earn a series victory on Thursday night, as RHP Austin Orewiler (1-3, 4.30 ERA) is expected to get the ball in the finale. The Stone Crabs have yet to announce their starter for the matinee.
The Tortugas Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 6:15 p.m. ET, leading up to the 6:30 p.m. ET start at Charlotte Sports Park. Thursday evening's game can be heard on daytonatortugas.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
Following the road swing, Daytona will return home to The Jack to open up a four-game series against the Clearwater Threshers, High-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, on Monday, May 20. It will be another Belly Buster Monday presented by Marco's Pizza, as a $13 game ticket gives fans access to all-you-can-eat hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, and popcorn. Additionally, it will also be Taste of Daytona Night with local eateries from Daytona Beach and Volusia County will provide samples on the Riverwalk, as a part of the Belly Buster Monday festivities. That evening's contest will be a twinbill starting at 5:30 p.m. ET with gates opening at 4 p.m. ET. Both contests will be seven innings in length with a roughly 30-minute break in between contests.
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.