Mitchell tallies three hits in a nail biter, 2-1 loss to Daytona
Jupiter, FL- Jupiter Hammerheads (30-32) turn the page after a 2-2 series split with the Lakeland Flying Tigers (30-30). A new series brought in a new opportunity to start a win streak against the Daytona Tortugas (30-32). Daytona was fresh off of an 8-2 loss against the Palm Beach Cardinals the night before.
Jeff Brigham worked 5.2 innings, allows 6 hits and one earned run and strikes out six batters. Brigham's six strikeouts is the second highest total in a single game this season, he tossed 93 pitches with 61 of those being for strikes as he earns no-decision in the loss.
The Hammerheads went 1-for-8 with runners-in-scoring-position tonight, left eight on base and struck out just two times despite the bats fledgling once again.
Dexter Kjerstad went 0-for-4 and his 8 game hit-streak comes to an end, Avery Romero went 1-for-3 with a walk, Chris Hoo 1-for-3 with one RBI, Justin Bohn finished his night 1-for-4. In all the Sharks managed just six hits.
Tortugas pitching was stifling, Wendolyn Bautista gave up the only earned run, on four hits. Ariel Hernandez (W; 1-0, 0.00) with just one inning from the mound, one strikeout and one hit allowed. Daytona's bullpen allowed two hits in total, with one walk, two strikeouts and no runs.
Brian O'Grady went 2-for-3 including two walks, one of those drove in the eventual winning run in the top of the 9th inning. Blake Trahan went 2-for-4 with one run scored and one strikeout. Jonathan Reynoso finished 1-for-4 and Angelo Gumbs knocked in the first run of the game in the third for Daytona during his 1-for-5 night with one RBI. Daytona went 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 13 runners on base.
Ben Holmes made his first appearance working through 2.1 innings with two hits, two strikeouts and zero runs against. Esmerling De La Rosa (L; 2-2, 2.87 ERA) allowed just one hit and one run, on a walk, that proved to be the decider in the game.
Quote of The Night
Outfielder- Ronnie Mitchell who's batting .381 with your Hammerheads and went 3-for-4 tonight, "I'm just getting settled in, focused on having quality at-bats day-in and day out. Looking to work towards the middle of the field. I really take it day-by-day, in a new organization and just keep it simple to try and help this team win."
"I appreciate the opportunity to play every day, a week ago I was sitting on my couch and I was grateful to get the call." When asked about getting that call to join the Marlins organization, "I was very excited, I love playing baseball and I want to be on the field every day, just grateful to be playing again, have fun and enjoy it."
Ronnie Mitchell has 16-hits in 11 games so far with the Hammerheads since being signed on May 17, 2016. Mitchell last performed with the Corpus Christi Hooks, the Double-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. Mitchell was selected in the 38th round by the Houston Astros out of Dallas Baptist University and the lefty from Southlake, Texas has been a very good addition to the batting order.
Up Next
Tomorrow night, the Hammerheads host the Daytona Tortugas in game two of this four game set. Tyler Mahle (10th overall, CIN ranking) will face James Buckelew (2-0, 2.68 ERA), with just four games left before the All-Star Game at Fort Myers on June 18th. First pitch expected for 6:30 PM at Roger Dean Stadium.