Tortugas fall, 5-1, in front of sellout crowd on Opening Night
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - In front of a sellout crowd of 4,271 fans, the Florida Fire Frogs used a four-run ninth inning rally to knock off the Daytona Tortugas, 5-1, on Opening Night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Thursday.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - In front of a sellout crowd of 4,271 fans, the Florida Fire Frogs used a four-run ninth inning rally to knock off the Daytona Tortugas, 5-1, on Opening Night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Thursday.
The season-opening sellout crowd marked the largest attendance for a Daytona home opener since the Tortugas welcomed 5,129 fans to Jackie Robinson Ballpark in a win over the Brevard County Manatees on April 9, 2015.
Tied at one headed to the ninth, the Fire Frogs put the go-ahead run in scoring position thanks to a walk and a wild pitch. On a 3-2 count, 1B
Daytona put two runners aboard with a walk and a single in the bottom of the ninth, but RHP Walter Borkovich (2.0 IP, 4 H, R, ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) got 3B Jonathan India (1-4, R, BB, 2 SO) to strike out looking the end the game.
The contest was scoreless until Florida broke the tie in the top of the seventh. SS Riley Unroe (1-3, R, BB, SO) started the frame with a bunt single and advanced to third on a throwing error. C William Contreras (0-3, BB, SO) walked on a full count, but final pitch skipped to the backstop. Unroe scored on the wild pitch to give the Fire Frogs a 1-0 edge.
In the eighth, the Tortugas rallied to even the tide. With men at first and second and nobody out, 1B Bruce Yari (1-4, 2 SO) singled off the wall in left, but 2B Alejo Lopez (2-3, 2 BB, SO) was thrown out at the plate trying to score the tying run. The next batter - RF Andy Sugilio (1-3, RBI, BB, SO) - smoked the second-pitch he saw into right for a tally-producing base knock to knot it at one.
Neither starter received a decision in the contest. LHP Reiver Sanmartin (6.0 IP, 2 H, 6 SO) was superb in his Reds' organizational debut, hurling six spotless innings. His counterpart - Florida's RHP Huascar Ynoa (4.0 IP, 3 BB, 6 SO) - did not allow a hit over four frames, striking out six.
Borkovich (2.0 IP, 4 H, R, ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) - who suffered a blown save after yielding Daytona's lone run in the eighth - bounced back to earn his first win of the year. LHP Carlos Diaz (0.1 IP, R, ER, 2 BB, SO) put the go-ahead run on base with a free pass and suffered his first defeat.
The series continues at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Friday night, as RHP Ryan Lillie (0-0, 0.00 ERA) is slated to make his Tortugas and Cincinnati farm system debut. Florida is expected to counter with RHP
The Tortugas Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 6:50 p.m. ET, leading up to the 7:05 p.m. ET start at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Friday evening's contest can be heard on daytonatortugas.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
Daytona kicks off their Best Dressed Friday promotion with its "Opening Night Hangover" presented by Daytona Beach International Airport. The night will feature special uniforms - featuring Carlos the Baby - as well as activities and giveaways in honor of the 10th anniversary of the classic comedy, "The Hangover". Fans are encouraged to arrive early for the team's first Friday Night Happy Hour of the year with buy-one-get-one Kona beer products and Bud Light from 5:30 p.m. until first pitch. After the contest, patrons will be treated to another spectacular Postgame Fireworks display.
Season ticket and multi-game plans are still 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 High-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of the 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 and many large community events and initiatives throughout the season.