Tortugas Tumble For First Time
Daytona Beach, FL - The Brevard County Manatees pounded out a season-high 15 hits en route to their 9-6 win over the Daytona Tortugas Saturday night at Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Daytona scored three runs in the ninth, but the rally fell short in their first loss of the year. Brian O'Grady drove in four runs of the six Tortuga runs.
Brevard County struck first for the first time in the series, on a George Iskenderian RBI single in the top of the first inning. In total, Brevard pounded out four hits, five baserunners, and two runs in the first stanza against RHP Keury Mella.
Brevard would add a run in each of the next two innings, including a Dustin Houle home run, against Mella, who failed to make it through the fourth inning.
Trailing 4-0, Daytona eventually broke through against LHP Kodi Medeiros in the fifth inning. Blake Trahan got Daytona on the board with his first hit of the year, an RBI single to right field. Brian O'Grady followed suit with a two RBI bloop to right field that dropped in-between two Manatee fielders.
As soon as the Tortugas drew closer, the Manatees widened the gap once more. RHP Alex Powers inherited two runners in the sixth and was met with a two run single from Dustin Houle to push Brevard back up three runs.
The Manatees would break things open an inning later, scoring three runs on one wild play. Johnny Davis tripled on a ball hit into the left field corner, scoring two teammates. As the ball got away from third baseman Taylor Sparks, Davis got up to his feet and scampered home to complete a three run play.
Trailing 9-3, Daytona attempted to stage a late rally in the ninth against RHP Kaleb Earls, the same pitcher who blew the save opportunity in Daytona's comeback win Thursday. The frame began with two walks in the first three batters. Jonathan Reynoso stepped to the plate with runners on the corners and got the Tortugas back on the board with an RBI groundout to second base. After a third walk of the inning, O'Grady delivered another two run basehit to bring the Tortugas within three. With the potential game-tying run in the on-deck circle, RHP Tyler Spurlin came on to get Aristides Aquino to fly out to right field, ending the attempted rally.
RHP Keury Mella took the loss, allowing eight hits and four runs in 3 1/3 innings. LHP Kodi Medeiros earned the win, allowing three runs in five innings, while striking out seven.
The Tortugas head right back to Space Coast Stadium for their series finale with Brevard County Sunday evening. First pitch is schedule for 5:05 PM, with the Chili's pregame show beginning at 4:45 PM on AM 1230 and AM 1490 WSBB.
NOTES: Brian O'Grady's four RBI were the second most of his career and the most since June 30th, 2014…Saturday was Brevard's second win in their last 13 trips to Jackie Robinson Ballpark…Saturday's loss snapped Daytona's six-game winning streak over their rivals dating back to last season…A Daytona starter has yet to make it through the fourth inning.