Harmon's Gem, Pair of Longballs Lead 'Tugas to Rain-Shortened Shutout
DAYTONA BEACH—Johnathan Harmon threw 5.0 scoreless innings and Sal Stewart and Hector Rodriguez both homered as the Daytona Tortugas defeated the Palm Beach Cardinals 3-0 in a game that was ended prematurely by rain in the sixth inning. Daytona (1-0, 30-36) begins the second half with a victory while also
DAYTONA BEACH—Johnathan Harmon threw 5.0 scoreless innings and Sal Stewart and Hector Rodriguez both homered as the Daytona Tortugas defeated the Palm Beach Cardinals 3-0 in a game that was ended prematurely by rain in the sixth inning.
Daytona (1-0, 30-36) begins the second half with a victory while also taking a lead in the series over Palm Beach (0-1, 36-29).
Harmon was tested right away as he served up a triple to Alex Iadisernia on the very first pitch of the game. However, Harmon retired the next three batters to strand the runner, giving Daytona take the lead shortly thereafter.
Against Palm Beach starter Max Rajcic, Rodriguez singled with one out in the first, then stole second. Stewart followed with a ringing double into the gap in right-center to score Rodriguez with the first run of the game.
Harmon again ran into trouble in the second, as he allowed a leadoff double to Leonardo Bernal. However, the righty again set down the next three, two of them on strikeouts, to end the inning with no runs.
That kicked off a stellar stretch of work for Harmon, which was made easier by a solo home run from Stewart in the bottom of the third, a 394-foot drive over the wall in left field that extended his lead to 2-0.
Harmon proceeded to roar through the third, fourth, and fifth frames with nary a baserunner allowed. He ended his outing with a strikeout to finish the fifth, capping off a stretch of 12 straight batters retired to end his outing.
Harmon (3-4) finished the night with 5.0 innings, two hits, no runs, no walks, and six strikeouts, earning his third victory of the season as he needed just 60 pitches to finish his five frames.
Meanwhile, he received a parting gift from Rodriguez in the fifth. With one out, the Daytona outfielder hit a low laser that cleared the right field fence just inside the foul pole for a solo homer. His 12th longball of the season extended the lead to 3-0.
While we're waiting on the rain, take a look at some 'Tugas raining homers earlier tonight! pic.twitter.com/v8t1royVbK
— Daytona Tortugas (@daytonatortugas) June 24, 2023
Luis Mey entered the game in the sixth and walked a pair of batters, but managed to battle through the inning while preserving the shutout.
In the bottom of the sixth, Daytona put two on with one out, which forced Rajcic out of the game. However, an impending storm forced the game into a delay during the pitching change.
The Tortugas will play game four against the Palm Beach Cardinals on Saturday night. RHP Mason Pelio (1-2, 4.25) will get the ball for Daytona against Palm Beach RHP Cade Winquest (3-3, 5.36). Tomorrow will be our second fan-selected bobblehead, with free Johnathan India bobbleheads for the first 1,000 fans. Gates will open at 5:30 with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Pregame coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network with the Voice of the Tortugas Brennan Mense begins at 6:20 from Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
Daytona Tortugas single-game tickets and ticket packages are on sale now at daytonatortugas.com, (386) 257-3172, or the box office at 110 East Orange Ave.
ABOUT THE DAYTONA TORTUGAS
The Daytona Tortugas are the Single-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of Minor League Baseball’s Florida State League. The Tortugas play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in downtown Daytona Beach, Fla. Jackie Robinson Ballpark also plays host to Bethune-Cookman University, the Jackie Robinson Ballpark Museum, and many community events and initiatives of all sizes throughout the year.