Charlotte captures opener from Daytona, 6-2

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The Daytona Tortugas' offense was limited to just six hits, as the Charlotte Stone Crabs came away with a 6-2 victory on Monday night at Charlotte Sports Park.

The game remained scoreless until Charlotte's (19-18) offense broke out in the bottom of the second. Following back-to-back singles by RF Moises Gómez (1-4, R, SO) and 2B Vidal Brujan (1-3, R, BB), CF Carl Chester (1-3, 2B, RBI) ripped a deep fly to left. The ball clanged off the fence for an RBI double to put the Stone Crabs ahead, 1-0. Two batters later, DH Thomas Milone (1-3, RBI, 2 SO) extended the lead to 2-0 with a sacrifice fly to center.
Daytona (18-18) managed to get on the board with a run in the top of the fourth. 2B Alejo Lopez (0-3, R, BB) reached on a throwing error and 3B Jonathan India (1-3, BB) walked to put two on for C Hendrik Clementina (2-4, RBI). The 21-year-old hit a shallow fly to center that dropped in for a base-hit. Lopez came across from second to pull the Tortugas within one, 2-1.
The deficit did not remain one for long, as Charlotte answered in the bottom of the frame. LF Garrett Whitley (0-3, R, BB, 3 SO) got aboard via a walk to start the inning and proceeded to steal second and move to third on a throwing error. The former first-round pick scored two batters later on a run-producing knock to center by 1B Jim Haley (3-4, R, RBI, SO).
The Tortugas cut the deficit down to 3-2 in the top of the seventh, as 3B Yonathan Mendoza (1-4, RBI) scored 1B Bruce Yari (1-4, R, 3 SO) - who singled earlier in the inning - on a ground out to second.
Yet again, the Stone Crabs emerged with a bigger answer in the home half of the inning. With second and third and one out, C Ronaldo Hernández (1-4, R, 2 RBI) stroked a single to right through a drawn-in infield. Both runners scored, as the Rays' No. 4 prospect ended up at third thanks to a wild throw home. Hernández would later score on a balk to stretch Charlotte's lead to four, 6-2.
LHP Reíver Sanmartín (3.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO) issued a season-high three walks and failed to make it out of the fourth, suffering his third defeat of the year for Daytona.
After entering in relief, RHP Paul Campbell (5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, ER, BB, 4 SO) was impressive for the Stone Crabs. The right-hander surrendered two runs (one earned) over five innings to earn his fourth win. Major League rehabber - RHP Hunter Wood (2.0 IP, BB, SO) - took a no-decision after hurling two hitless frames in a start.
RHP Ryan Lillie (0-3, 4.00 ERA) is expected to take the mound for the Tortugas on Tuesday night, as they look to even up the series. Charlotte is presumed to counter with LHP Michael Plassmeyer (0-0, 0.00 ERA).
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. Tuesday 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.