Magic number stuck at one after 9-5 loss

Fort Myers, FL - The Daytona Tortugas (37-29) squandered an early 4-0 lead, and were outscored 9-1 down the stretch in a 9-5 loss to the Fort Myers Miracle (33-32). With their third straight defeat, the Tortugas spoiled another opportunity to clinch the first half title, and their magic number remained stuck at one.

 

Blandino was hit by a pitch with one out in the top of the ninth inning. After an unfriendly conversation between the two dugouts, the benches emptied as players from both teams poured onto the field. A lengthy scuffle ensued, featuring punches, body slams, form tackles and two ejections: RF Sebastian Elizalde (who was hit in the wrist earlier in the game) and LHP Amir Garrett.

 

The Tortugas have a four-game lead in the North Division with four games remaining in the first half, but Clearwater holds the head-to-head tiebreaker. If Daytona does not clinch the division with a win or a Clearwater loss on Thursday, the Threshers can win the first half with a three-game sweep of the Tortugas in their series that begins on Monday.

 

The 'Tugas plated four runs on four hits in the fourth inning to take a 4-0 lead. SS Alex Blandino laced a double to left center and scored the game's first run on a line drive single to right by Elizalde. A single from 1B Robert Ramirez put runners on first and second, and they moved up on a Kohl Stewart wild pitch.

 

Daytona caught a break when 3B Taylor Sparks hit a tapper back to the mound and Stewart caught Elizalde in a rundown between third base and home plate. The throw went to third, where Logan Wade tried to chase down Elizalde, who was headed for home. Wade never threw to the covering catcher Alex Swim, and Elizalde slid home safely to make it 2-0. Ramirez scored on a wild pitch, and DH Jon Matthews gave the Tortugas a 4-0 lead with an RBI infield single on a slow roller to third.

 

RHP Sal Romano had allowed no runs on one hit through his first three innings, but two walks, two singles, an error and a sacrifice fly allowed the Miracle to even the score at 4-4 in the bottom of the fourth. Daytona briefly regained a 5-4 lead with a fifth-inning sacrifice fly from Elizalde, who extended his league-leading RBI total 46.

 

Romano walked Alex Swim to lead off the fifth inning, and RHP Joe Mantoni (L, 1-2) was brought in from the bullpen. The Miracle had the leadoff man on base in six of eight innings. Mantoni retired three straight batters to end the fifth inning, but allowed a game-tying solo homer to Logan Wade in the sixth inning.

 

Fort Myers broke the game open with another four spot in the seventh. Three singles and a walk chased Mantoni from the game.LHP Nolan Becker entered the game and allowed a two run single to Wade, hit Tanner Vavra and issued a bases-loaded walk to Zach Granite to give the Miracle a 9-5 lead. 

 

All-Star RHP Barrett Astin (4-1, 2.19 ERA) is scheduled to start Thursday's Game 4 at Hammond Stadium at 7:05 p.m. ET. Fans can tune in to the action on the Great Voice of Volusia County, AM 1230 and AM 1490 WSBB, starting with the D.B. Pickles Pregame Show at 6:50 p.m. ET.