Deja Vu All Over Again in 4-0 Loss

Daytona losses first four games of road trip

By Cory Nidoh

April 22, 2016

Tampa, FL - The Daytona Tortugas were shutout for the second consecutive night, falling 4-0 against the Tampa Yankees Friday night at Steinbrenner Field. Daytona has now lost the first four games of the road trip and their last eight away from Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

The Tortugas had to play catch up for the third straight game, after Tampa hung a crooked number against RHP Jake Paulson (0-3) in the first inning. Miguel Andujar, Mark Payton, and Michael O'Neill all delivered runs before Paulson could get through his first frame. In the second, two Paulson wild pitches allowed Jake Skole to score, following an infield single, making it 4-0.

Paulson would then settle in, retiring 10 of the last 12 batters faced, completing five innings of work, a season-high for the righty.

However, the offense couldn't bail out their pitcher for the second straight night. The Tortugas offense lacked the muscle needed to overcome the deficit but certainly had their chances.

From the fifth through the eighth, the Tortugas went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position. Chad Tromp, leading the way offensively with a pair of doubles, was left at third base in both the sixth and eighth innings. Daytona finished 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position overall, and 0-for-13 in such situations in their consecutive shutout losses.

The Tortugas will look to snap out of their offensive woes in the second game of the three game series Saturday at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Daytona's ace RHP Tyler Mahle (1-0, 2.87) will look to get his team back in the win column and will counter Tampa's LHP Ian Clarkin (1-1, 2.93).

First pitch is slated for 6:00 P.M. with the Chili's pre-game show starting at 5:50 P.M. on AM 1230 and AM 1490 WSBB.

Notes: Daytona has been outscored 13-3 in their four consecutive losses and have been held scoreless in their last 18 innings…The Tortugas bullpen has tossed six consecutive scoreless innings over the last three games, allowing just one total hit… The Tortugas are now 0-9 when trailing after six innings and 0-11 when down after eight innings...Daytona has been shutout in back-to-back games for the first time in the two years under manager Eli Marrero.