Pitching, Willems will Tortugas to 1-0 victory

JUPITER, Fla. — 2B Jonathan Willems' solo home run in the third inning was more than enough offense for Daytona on Sunday afternoon. RHPs José Franco, Dennis Boatman, and Juan Abril combined on a four-hit shutout as the Tortugas blanked the Jupiter Hammerheads, 1-0, at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

Scoreless with one out in the third inning, Willems (1-3, R, HR, RBI) jumped ahead in the count, 3-1. The Willemstad, Curaçao native proceeded to demolish the next offering 382 feet beyond the left-field fence for a solo home run. Willems' third home run of the year — and his first as a Tortuga — put Daytona (9-19, 38-55) in front, 1-0.

Franco (4.2 IP, 3 H, BB, 3 SO) worked into the fifth inning for the third time this season but was lifted after issuing a single and a walk in the frame. Boatman (2.1 IP, H, 2 BB) induced a fielder's choice ground ball to third to escape the jam and keep the lead intact.

The 22-year-old worked around a pair of walks in the sixth, producing a double-play ground ball to keep Jupiter (16-13, 50-43) scoreless.

After stranding another baserunner aboard in the seventh, Boatman handed the reins to Abril (2.0 IP, 2 BB, SO).

The Hammerheads put a pair on against the 24-year-old in the eighth thanks to a duo of walks, but could not even the contest. With first and second and one out, Abril produced a foul pop-up to the catcher and a swinging strikeout to leave the tying and go-ahead runs aboard.

Abril went back to the bump in the ninth and slammed the door shut. The right-hander needed just eight pitches in the final frame to retire Jupiter in order, securing Daytona's ninth shutout win of the season and his first save since August 6, 2018, with the Arizona Complex League Reds.

Franco did not qualify for the win, as he fell one out short of the necessary five innings. Boatman was credited with his fourth victory after his 2.1 spotless frames of relief.

RHP Cole Sulser (1.1 IP, 3 SO) allowed one baserunner on a hit-by-pitch, collecting his second scoreless rehab outing for Jupiter during the series. RHP Juan Reynoso (4.1 IP, 6 H, R, ER, BB, 4 SO) yielded only one run but was saddled with his third defeat.

After Monday's league-wide off day, the Tortugas will travel to St. Lucie to continue their two-week road trip against the Mets, the Florida State League affiliate of the New York Mets, on Tuesday, August 2. Neither team has announced a probable starter for the series opener. Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 5:55 p.m. leading up to the 6:10 p.m. first pitch from Clover Park.

The Tortugas will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Tuesday, August 9, to open up a two-week homestand with six games against the Lakeland Flying Tigers, the Florida State League affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. The series opens with another Shell Yeah Cookout. The $15 add-on includes the full “Bases Loaded” menu during a 90-minute buffet with hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork, baked beans, cookies, Pepsi products, and more. It is also a Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Radiology Associates Imaging. The Tortugas will don unique pink-clad uniforms that will be auctioned off at the end of the season with all proceeds to raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer. Silver Sluggers Night presented by Conviva is a part of the festivities. The exclusive 60-and-older club features deals at the team store, concession stands for members, and more. The series opener also marks a Taco Tuesday with options at the concession stands starting at just $3.

Multi-game plans, group packages, and single-game tickets are currently available and can be purchased online at www.daytonatortugas.com or by calling the Tortugas’ Ticket Office at (386) 257-3172.

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.