Moon's Big Night Powers Tortugas to 7-6 Win Over Blue Jays

DUNEDIN, Fla. — Bernard Moon finished a triple shy of the cycle and Stharlin Torres earned his first Single-A victory as the Daytona Tortugas edged the Dunedin Blue Jays 7-6 on Tuesday night at TD Ballpark.

The Rundown

Daytona jumped in front in the second inning when Ichiro Cano ripped an RBI double to right-center before Henry Hunter followed with an RBI double of his own, giving the Tortugas an early 2-0 lead.

Dunedin responded with a pair of runs in the bottom half, highlighted by a solo home run from Juan Sanchez, but the Tortugas answered immediately in the third. Rafhlmil Torres doubled, Drew Davies walked, and Bernard Moon lined an RBI double to left. A balk later in the inning allowed Davies to score, restoring Daytona's two-run advantage at 4-2.

After the Blue Jays trimmed the deficit to 4-3 in the third, Moon struck again in the fifth, launching a solo home run to right field to make it 5-3.

The Tortugas created breathing room in the eighth. Henry Hunter walked and Ian Francis followed with another free pass before Kyle Henley drove home a run with his second double of the night. Later in the inning, a sacrifice bunt by R. Torres plated Francis to extend the lead to 7-3.

Dunedin made things interesting late. Sanchez connected for his second homer of the game in the eighth inning, cutting the lead to 7-5. In the ninth, Eric Snow led off with a solo homer to trim the margin to one, but Jordan Little recorded the final three outs for his first professional save.

Stat of the Day

6 — Daytona collected six doubles, its second-highest total in a game this season. Henley had two doubles, while Moon, R. Torres, Cano, and Hunter each added one.

Notes

• The Tortugas improved to 19-33 overall.
• Daytona improved to 7-18 on the road.
• The Tortugas have won three of their last four games.
• Daytona improved to 8-9 in one-run games.
• The Tortugas improved to 10-12 when hitting a home run.
• Daytona improved to 13-14 when scoring first.
• The Tortugas improved to 14-8 when scoring five or more runs.
• Moon finished a triple shy of the cycle, going 3-for-4 with a double, home run, two RBI, and a walk.
• Moon recorded his second three-hit game of the season.
• Moon collected his 15th multi-hit game of the season.
• Moon recorded his sixth multi-RBI game of the season.
• Moon's 16 doubles are the second-most in the Florida State League.
• Henley recorded his 14th multi-hit game of the season.
• S. Torres earned his first Single-A victory.
• S. Torres tossed 5.0 innings and allowed three runs while striking out four.
• Little recorded his first professional save.
• Drew Davies extended his hitting streak to four games.
• Brady Afthim extended his scoreless innings streak to 3.2 innings across his last two appearances.

Next Up

The Tortugas continue their six-game series against the Dunedin Blue Jays on Wednesday, June 3. First pitch from TD Ballpark is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.