Early Runs Propel Tortugas to 4-1 Victory
Viera, FL - The Daytona Tortugas (39-25, 76-58) scored four early runs and held off a late charge in a 4-1 victory over the Brevard County Manatees (26-39, 55-79 overall) in front of 3,452 fans on Saturday night at Space Coast Stadium.
Daytona scored a pair of runs to take the lead in the top of the second inning. With one out, Chad Wallach doubled to left field against Brevard County starter Zach Hirsch. Ronald Bueno then singled to center and plated Wallach. Blake Trahan laid down a bunt up the first base line. Hirsch fielded the ball with his glove, but his flip to first was wide of the bag. Trahan reached on the single and Bueno moved to third on the Hirsch error. After Wendell Soto was called out on strikes, Hirsch uncorked a wild pitch and allowed Bueno to score. After two innings, Daytona led, 2-0.
The Tortugas added another two runs in the third frame. With no outs, Ty Washington reached on a throwing error by Chris McFarland. Brian O'Grady then singled to right field and Washington moved up to second. After Daniel Pigott and Jeff Gelalich were retired by Hirsch, Chad Wallach drilled a two-run double to left-center field. Wallach's second double of the game made it 4-0, Tortugas.
Hirsch (1-4, 4.89 ERA) was lifted after three innings. He surrendered four runs - one earned - on six hits. He did not walk a batter and fanned four.
Tristan Archer was the first man out of the bullpen for Brevard County. He threw five shutout innings and did not allow a hit. He walked one and struck out eight batters.
The Manatees got on the board in the bottom of the seventh inning. Clint Coulter led off the frame with a single to left field. Two batters later, Dustin Houle drilled a double down the right field line that plated Coulter. Daytona starter Nick Routt fanned the next two batters to escape further damage.
Routt (6-3, 3.47 ERA) surrendered just one run on four hits over seven frames to earn the win. He did not walk a batter and struck out nine.
Brevard County threatened again in the eighth. Scott Brattvet came on in relief before the inning. With two outs, Omar Garcia singled to right field. Garcia recorded three hits on the night. After a McFarland single, Daytona went to the bullpen again and called on El'Hajj Muhammad. Muhammad retired Coulter to end the threat.
Muhammad allowed just a one-out double to Houle in the ninth and recorded his 17th save of the season.
The Manatees and Tortugas will conclude the regular season tomorrow night in Daytona Beach. RHP Javi Salas (8-8, 4.26 ERA) will toe the rubber for Brevard County. First pitch is scheduled for 5:35 p.m.