Tortugas and Tarpons split pair of weather-altered contests

TAMPA, Fla. — Mother Nature would not let baseball be on Friday night, but it cooperated enough for two official games to be played. Tampa captured the suspended game from Thursday, knocking off Daytona, 8-1. In the seven-inning nightcap, 1B Michel Triana and C Michael Trautwein smashed homers, as the Tortugas topped the Tarpons, 6-2, in a lightning-shortened, five-frame affair at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Daytona (7-12, 36-48) wasted no time in taking the lead in game two. 3B Austin Callahan (2-2, 2 R, 2 2B, RBI, 2 BB) smashed the game's first pitch for a double to left and promptly took third on a ground out. Triana (1-3, R, HR, 3 RBI, SO) lifted a sacrifice fly to center to score the run and put the Tortugas ahead, 1-0.

With the bases empty, RF Jack Rogers (1-3, R, SO) re-ignited the offense with a two-out single and went all the way to third on another base hit from 2B Braylin Minier (2-3).

Trautwein (2-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, SO) followed by slapping a ball to the left of the diving shortstop. While the ball was knocked down, the throw to first was late. Minier went to third on the toss to first, but Trautwein was thrown out looking to advance to second on the play across the diamond. The Johns Creek, Ga. native was credited with an RBI knock — his first of the year — stretching Daytona's edge to 2-0.

After Tampa (12-6, 39-45) pulled to within a run on a wild pitch in the second, Trautwein snatched that run back for the Tortugas in the third.

Behind in the count 1-2 with no one on base and two out, the Northwestern University alum appeared to take a called strike three. However, Trautwein challenged the call to the automatic zone and the ruling was overturned to a ball.

Instead of a strikeout, on the very next pitch, the left-handed swinger charged a ball beyond the fence in left for a solo home run. Trautwein's first career home run increased Daytona's lead back to two, 3-1.

Once more, the Tarpons had an answer. 3B Marcos Cabrera (1-3, R, SO) singled to right to start Tampa's third and quickly stole second base. After a walk and a strikeout, LF Christopher Familia (1-3, RBI) slapped a run-scoring single to left. His first knock and RBI with Tampa trimmed the Tortugas' advantage to 3-2.

Alas, that was as close as the home team would be for the rest of the contest.

Still ahead by one, Callahan coaxed a walk to start the Daytona fourth and, two batters later, was able to walk home. This resulted from Triana lambasting a shot to the back of the Outfield Bar in right field. The 22-year-old's two-run home run — his sixth of the season — gave the Tortugas their largest lead of the day, 5-2.

One more run was tacked on in the fifth. SS Ilvin Fernández (2-2, R, BB) earned a free pass and swiped second base before advancing to third on a throwing error. With two out, Callahan lofted a double over the center fielder's head, scoring a tally and allowing Daytona to match their largest lead of the series, 6-2, at four.

Before the top of the sixth could begin, the umpires ushered both teams off the field because of lightning around George M. Steinbrenner Field. Both teams were allowed on field briefly after a 20-minute break but were shuffled back to the dugout before the inning could start.

Ultimately, after a 45-minute delay, the game was called and Daytona was awarded the 6-2 victory.

With his family in the stands, RHP Ryan Cardona (2.0 IP, 2 BB, 3 SO) twirled two hitless and scoreless innings of relief to collect his fourth win of the season. RHP Kevin Abel (3.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, ER, 5 BB, 7 SO) struggled with his command but kept the Tortugas in front through his three frames.

RHP Trevor Holloway (1.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) suffered his second defeat of the year for Tampa, making the first start in his professional career.

The lid-lifter of Friday's affairs was the suspended contest from Thursday. The contest restarted with the Tarpons holding runners at first and second and two out in the bottom of the third, leading 4-0.

RHP Juan Abril (2.1 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 3 BB) needed two pitches to end the leftover frame the day prior, but Tampa's offense was too much to stop.

1B Anthony García (2-3, 2 R, 2 BB) started the Tarpons' fifth inning with a one-base hit to right and scooted to second on a walk to DH Marcos Cabrera (1-3, R, RBI, 2 BB, SO). After a flyout and another walk, C Ben Rice (2-3, R, HR, 3 RBI, BB) roped a single to right. García scored easily, but Cabrera was tossed out at the plate, increasing their cushion to 5-0.

Tampa added a crooked number in the seventh on a two-run home run to right-center from Rice, his fourth of the year and second of the season. The Tarpons added one last insurance tally in the eighth on a ground out from LF-CF Madison Santos (2-3, 2 R, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 BB).

Daytona was able to break up the shutout bid in the fifth. 3B Austin Callahan (1-3, R, 2B, BB, SO) and 2B Steven Leyton (1-4, 2B, RBI) garnered consecutive doubles with one out in the inning, pulling the Tortugas to within, 5-1, at the time.

Before the game was halted due to rain and lightning on Thursday, Tampa put up a quartet of runs.

Santos started the offense for the Tarpons in the second with a double down the left-field line and scored himself on a wild pitch.

Ahead 2-0, Tampa added two more in the third on run-scoring knocks by Cabrera and Santos.

RHP Juan Carela (6.0 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) was the only arm the Tarpons needed in the restarted affair. The 20-year-old hurled all six innings out of the bullpen to collect his sixth victory. RHP Yon Castro (3.0 IP, 5 SO) took a no-decision after retiring all nine men he faced the day before.

RHP Hunter Parks (2.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO) was saddled with his fourth defeat in his start for the Tortugas.

The Tortugas attempt to earn at least a split of the road series on Saturday evening. RHP Chase Petty (0-4, 3.39) — Cincinnati's No. 7 prospect per Baseball America — is anticipated to make the start for Daytona. Tampa is scheduled to counter with the Yankees' No. 29 prospect — RHP Chandler Champlain (2-5, 4.34). Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 6:15 p.m. leading up to the 6:30 p.m. first pitch from George M. Steinbrenner Field.

The Tortugas will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Friday, July 22, to open up a three-game series against the Palm Beach Cardinals, the Florida State League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. It will be Margaritaville Night at the ballpark featuring Best Dressed Uniforms worn by Daytona's players and coaches that will be auctioned off throughout the rest of the season. There will also be special food and drink items at concession stands to mark the occasion. Prior to the first pitch, fans will also be able to enjoy Live Music from Mike and Vin on the third-base riverwalk. Friday Night Happy Hour comes back to the ballpark, too, with special discounts on select draft beers at the concession stands.

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.