Five-Run Second Not Enough as Tortugas Fall to Mets, 12-5

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Daytona Tortugas erased an early five-run deficit with a bizarre five-run second inning without recording a hit, but the St. Lucie Mets immediately answered and pulled away for a 12-5 victory Tuesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Daytona drew eight walks in the second inning to erase a 5-0 deficit, but St. Lucie scored the final seven runs of the night while collecting 16 hits to hand the Tortugas their third consecutive loss.

The Rundown

St. Lucie jumped in front immediately against Braden Osbolt. Aiden Robbins singled with one out in the first before Ryan Tayman reached on an error. Kuhio Aloy followed with an RBI double down the right-field line, and Yovanny Rodriguez brought home Tayman on a fielder's choice to make it 2-0.

The Mets added three more in the second. Jake Ogden and Boston Baro opened the rally with consecutive singles before Robbins launched a three-run home run to left-center field, extending the advantage to 5-0.

Daytona responded with one of its strangest offensive innings of the season.

Cesar Rivera entered for St. Lucie to begin the bottom of the second and walked Jirvin Morillo, Rafhlmil Torres, Ichiro Cano, Sherman Johnson and Drew Davies consecutively. The walks to Johnson and Davies forced home the first two Daytona runs before Rivera was removed without recording an out.

Christian Rodriguez entered and immediately walked Adolfo Sanchez and Steele Hall, bringing home two more runs and cutting the deficit to one. Mulivai Levu then grounded into a force out that scored Davies and tied the game, 5-5. Arnaldo Lantigua drew another walk later in the inning as Daytona sent 11 batters to the plate, drew eight free passes and scored five runs without collecting a hit.

The tie did not last long. Yovanny Rodriguez led off the third with a solo home run to put St. Lucie back in front. Wyatt Vincent and Ogden later singled before Baro doubled to left, scoring both runners and restoring an 8-5 Mets advantage.

Johnson doubled in the bottom of the third, but Daytona could not bring him home, beginning a stretch in which the Tortugas repeatedly put runners aboard without converting. Daytona ultimately finished 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

St. Lucie added another run in the fifth against Lisnerkin Lantigua when Vincent singled, advanced to third on a base hit by Reed Stallman and scored on a wild pitch.

The Mets stretched the lead to 11-5 in the sixth. Aloy singled and Jeremy Rodriguez walked before Ogden lined a two-run single to left. An error on the play allowed runners to advance, but Lantigua escaped without further damage.

Yovanny Rodriguez provided the final run in the eighth, leading off with his second home run of the night and third of the series against Daytona pitching this season.

Jesus Colina worked a perfect ninth with two strikeouts, but the Tortugas could not mount another rally. Morillo singled with two outs in the bottom half before Torres lined out to end the game.

Stat of the Game

5 — Daytona scored five runs in the second inning without recording a hit, drawing eight walks in the frame to erase a 5-0 deficit and tie the game.

Notes

• Daytona fell to 54-66 overall and 33-21 in the second half.
• The Tortugas have lost three consecutive games.
• Daytona fell to 13-9 in August.
• The Tortugas fell to 9-10 on Tuesdays.
• Daytona fell to 42-46 in night games.
• The Tortugas fell to 35-26 at home.
• St. Lucie leads the series, 1-0.
• Daytona fell to 7-12 against St. Lucie this season.
• The Tortugas fell to 40-52 against right-handed starters.
• Daytona fell to 1-51 when trailing after seven innings.
• The Tortugas fell to 18-27 when allowing 10 or more hits.
• Daytona fell to 47-17 when scoring five or more runs.
• The Tortugas fell to 11-52 when being outhit by their opponent.
• Daytona scored five runs in the second inning without recording a hit.
• The Tortugas drew eight walks in the second inning, including seven before their first ball was put in play.
• Daytona finished 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
• Johnson recorded his second multi-hit game of the season.
• Johnson tied his career high with two hits, matching the mark he established in his professional debut Aug. 19 at Tampa.
• Cano extended his on-base streak to 13 games.
• Morillo extended his on-base streak to seven games.
• Morillo extended his hitting streak to four games.
• Colina retired all three batters he faced in a perfect ninth inning and struck out two.

Up Next

The Tortugas continue their six-game series against the St. Lucie Mets on Wednesday, August 26 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. ET.