Daytona Wins Fourth Straight
The Manatees struck first with a solo run in the top of the third inning. Second baseman Sergio Miranda lined a one-out single into center field off Cubs starter Brooks Raley. After a fly out by Erik Komatsu, right fielder Angel Salome drove a double to right-center field to bring home Miranda for the early lead.
Brevard County extended that lead to three runs in the top of the fourth inning. With one out, designated hitter Scott Krieger and catcher Shawn Zarraga blasted back-to-back solo home runs off of Raley. It was the third home run of the season for Krieger and the first for Zarraga.
On his birthday, Brooks Raley lasted only 4.1 innings in the start. He gave up the three runs on six hits and struck out two.
The Cubs got the offense going in the bottom of the fifth inning. Left fielder David Macias led off the frame with an infield single. He was forced out on a Junior Lake ground ball to third. Lake moved to second on a passed ball and advanced to third on line-drive single from center fielder Jose Valdez. With third baseman DJ LeMahieu at the plate, Valdez stole second to put two runners in scoring position. The Cubs RBI leader, DJ LeMahieu, picked up two more with a single to center field that made it a 3-2 ball game.
Daytona tied the game at three the very next inning. Right fielder Kyler Burke led off the inning with a double into the right field corner. Michael Brenly brought Burke in with a single up the middle with his nineteenth RBI of the season.
The Cubs did not waste any time to continue their rally as they scored three more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. LeMahieu got things started with a one out single to right field. Ryan Flaherty stepped up to the plate next and drove LeMahieu in with a two-base-hit that went all the way to the wall in right centerfield. With Flaherty at second Rebel Ridling blasted his fifth home run of the season deep over the centerfield wall.
The ballgame ended with a 6-3 final as the Daytona Cubs bullpen combined for four and two-thirds innings of scoreless baseball. James Leverton (2-0) was the winning pitcher of record in this contest with Corey Frerichs (4-2) picking up the loss. Marco Carrillo slammed the door in the ninth to pick up his third save of the season.
The Cubs next home game will be on the Fourth of July. Come out to Jackie Robinson Ballpark to cheer on the Cubs and watch an out of this world Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza in the Volusia County area thanks to the U.S. Marines. For ticketing information contact the Daytona Cubs at 386-257-3172.