JUPITER, FL -Joel Kuhnel induced a bases-loaded double play ball to close out Daytona's 4-3 win over the Jupiter Hammerheads Tuesday morning at Roger Dean Stadium. The Tortugas were up 4-0 in the eighth, before the Hammerheads managed to get the winning run in scoring position in the bottom of
JUPITER, FL -Joel Kuhnel induced a bases-loaded double play ball to close out Daytona's 4-3 win over the Jupiter Hammerheads Tuesday morning at Roger Dean Stadium. The Tortugas were up 4-0 in the eighth, before the Hammerheads managed to get the winning run in scoring position in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Daytona kicked off the scoring two batters into the game against RHP Brett Graves. Taylor Trammell led off with a single on the second pitch of the game, and came in to score three pitches later on a TJ Friedl triple to go up 1-0.
In the fourth, Brantley Bell came up with runners on first and second, and two outs, and belted a three-run homer to left to put Daytona up 4-0. It was Bell's first home run since hitting a walk-off against Jupiter on July 22 last year.
Then, in the eighth, the Tortugas would open the door for Jupiter. With RHP Alex Webb on the mound and two away, Brian Miller hit what appeared to be an inning-ending ground ball to short. After fielding, Bell airmailed the throw into his dugout, allowing Anfernee Seymour to come around from second with Jupiter's first run.
One pitch later, Joe Dunand clocked a two-run homer to left field, cutting the lead to 4-3 and ending the outing for Webb. RHP Aaron Fossas was brought on to retire John Silviano.
In the ninth, the Hammerheads would open with back-to-back singles against Kuhnel, the Tortuga closer. After a failed bunt try and a hit batter, Kuhnel got Justin Twine to roll a double play ground ball to short, where Bell started the 6-4-3 game-ending twin-killer.
LHP Scott Moss (4-2) picks up the win, allowing four hits over seven scoreless innings. It was the second time he made it through seven innings in his career, and the first without allowing a run. Graves (0-1), on MLB rehab, is handed the loss, allowing six hits and four runs in four innings, while walking one and striking out five. Kuhnel earned his sixth consecutive save, tied for the most in the FSL.
The Tortugas will look to take the rubber game on Wednesday, with RHP Tejay Antone making his first start since 2016. He will be opposed by RHP Brady Puckett, who will be making his Hammerhead debut.
First pitch Wednesday is scheduled for 6:30 PM, with coverage beginning at 6:15 PM with The Metcare Pregame Show on AM 1230, AM 1490, and FM 106.9 WSBB.
NOTES: Daytona scored a run in the first inning for the second straight game… Tuesday was Daytona's first win prior to 11 AM since last April (also at Jupiter). It snapped a five game losing streak in such games… Taylor Trammell batted lead-off for the first time today and has now batted in the first six spots in the order… Joel Kuhnel has allowed four hits and no runs while converting six straight save opportunities… The Tortugas have given up six runs in the eighth inning in the series, and just one run in the other 15 innings… Daytona is 22-1 when leading after six innings and 17-0 when leading after eight.
