Mets mash Tortugas in opener, 8-2

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - C Hendrik Clementina smashed his team-leading 11th home run of the season, but St. Lucie scored eight runs in the first four frames, as the Mets topped the Daytona Tortugas, 8-2, on Thursday night at First Data Field.

The Mets (32-17, 64-51) got off to a hot start, as 3B Blake Tiberi (2-5, 2 R, 2B, SO) began the bottom of the first with a double. Following a flyout and a pair of walks, LF Jacob Zanon (1-4, RBI) hit a roller to short. Daytona (21-28, 56-58) could not turn two to end the frame, as Tiberi scored on the fielder's choice to put St. Lucie ahead, 1-0. C Mitch Ghelfi (2-4, R, RBI, SO) then slapped a run-scoring single to left to make it 2-0.
In the second, St. Lucie kept pouring on. A hit-by-pitch and a single ignited the frame, while a wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third. With two out, DH Wagner Lagrange (1-3, 2 R, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 BB) lofted a ball into right-center that bounced off the fence. Both men scored on the 23-year-old's triple, giving the Mets a 4-0 edge.
Up 5-0 subsequently after an RBI knock by RF Matt Winaker (1-3, R, RBI, SO) in the third, St. Lucie erupted once more in the fourth. An infield single and a walk put a pair on with one out for 1B Jeremy Vásquez (2-2, R, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB). The left-handed swinger hammered a 1-0 offering over the fence in right for a three-run homer. Vásquez's 5th longball of the season put the Mets in the driver's seat, 8-0.
Daytona was able to break up the shutout in the ninth. 1B Bruce Yari (1-4, R) singled to bring Clementina to the dish with one away. The 22-year-old proceeded to cream a delivery out to left for a two-run blast to get the Tortugas on the board, 8-2.
RHP Luc Rennie (7.0 IP, 5 H, BB, SO) was superb for St. Lucie. The 25-year-old tossed seven shutout innings to garner his seventh victory of the campaign.
It was a rough night for Daytona's RHP Austin Orewiler (2.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO). The right-hander was chased after just two innings, suffering his eighth loss.
Daytona will attempt to even up the series on Friday, as Cincinnati's No. 23 farmhand per MLBPipeline.com - RHP Jared Solomon (0-6, 4.67) - is expected to take the hill. The Mets are expected to counter with RHP Joe Cavallaro (5-3, 3.94 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 First Data Field. Friday evening's contest can be heard on www.daytonatortugas.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
Following the brief road trip, Daytona will return home to begin a four-game series against the top prospect in baseball - SS Wander Franco - and the Charlotte Stone Crabs, the High-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, on Monday, August 12. Fans are encouraged to come hungry as it will be a Belly Buster Monday presented by Marco's Pizza. Starting at just $13, fans can enjoy all-you-can-eat hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, and popcorn. The Tortugas will also host Taste of Daytona Night at the park with local eateries around Daytona Beach and Volusia County will hand out samples along the Riverwalk.
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.