Tarpons Shutout Tortugas, Earn Back-to-Back Wins

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Tarpons (34-18) claimed their second straight victory against the Daytona Tortugas (33-20) with a dominant 11-0 win. The first five innings of Saturday’s matchup was a classic pitchers’ duel with both offenses only producing one hit on each side.

Tampa’s pitching staff shut out Daytona, with Justin West leading the charge as he turned in his best outing of the year. The left hander tossed six innings of shutout baseball, including eight strikeouts, and only allowing two base runners. Jose Martinez and Matthew Tippie were excellent in relief, only allowing two hits over a combined three innings pitched.

Both teams struggled to score until the bottom of the sixth. Yostin Pena got the Tarpons on the board with a three-run home run. Luke Pettitte and Diego Castellanos ignited a two out rally with back-to-back singles before Brando Mayea drove them home with a single of his own. The Tarps scratched one more across on a Daytona error, giving the Tarpons a 6-0 lead.

Tampa tacked on to their lead in the bottom of the eighth. Dax Kilby brought home a run on a bases loaded walk before a balk cashed in another Tarpons run. Following the balk, Pena smashed a 105.4mph three run homer, his second of the day. With the added insurance, the Tarpons entered the ninth with an 11-0 advantage.

Pena has been a force at the top of Tampa’s lineup since he was assigned to the roster on July 28th, Pena holds a .349 batting average, .967 OPS, and four home runs.

The Tarpons and Tortugas will cap off the series tomorrow at GMS Field with first pitch scheduled for 12:00 p.m.