Tortugas Fall on the Fourth in Front of Season-Best Crowd

DAYTONA BEACH—The Daytona Tortugas fell into an early four-run hole and couldn’t climb out as they fell to the Bradenton Marauders 10-6 in front of a season-high crowd of 2,916 on the fourth of July at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Bradenton (6-4, 41-34) took advantage of 14 walks by Daytona (7-3, 36-39) pitching, the most surrendered by Tortuga hurlers this season.

Daytona had opportunities to strike against Bradenton starter Dominic Perachi in the first two innings. However, the Tortugas left two men aboard in the first inning, then saw the second inning end after Victor Acosta was thrown out at the plate attempting to score on a flyout to right.

Daytona starter Bryce Hubbart worked 2.0 scoreless innings to begin the night, but his command wavered in the third and Bradenton took advantage. Two walks opened the inning, leading to an RBI double from Jack Brannigan. After a walk, loading the bases, Hubbart was lifted for Brett Lockwood. Lockwood’s first pitch, though, was bounced into center field for a two-run single by Rodolfo Nolasco. A sacrifice fly followed to put Bradenton ahead 4-0.

Daytona, though, got to Perachi in the third. Donovan Antonia led with a double and moved to third on an infield single. A wild pitch brought home Antonia for the first run and the runner on first, Hector Rodriguez scooted all the way to third before coming home on a sacrifice fly from Carlos Jorge to cut the deficit to 4-2.

Lockwood responded with scoreless fourth and fifth innings, wiggling out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth to keep the deficit at two runs.

In the bottom of the fifth, Rodriguez led off with a triple off the very top of the wall in right-center, his ninth of the season. Sal Stewart followed with a ringing double into the gap in left-center to bring home Rodriguez, trimming the deficit to one run. However, Perachi induced three straight pop-ups to keep Stewart at second, as well as keep the 4-3 lead.

However, Bradenton took control right back in the sixth. Pedro Alfonseca entered the game for Daytona and allowed a walk, but recorded two quick outs. However, a ground-rule double was followed by two walks, bringing in a run. Josiah Sightler followed with a two-run double that restored the Marauders’ four-run advantage.

The Tortugas pulled back to within three in the seventh as Antonia singled for his third hit of the night, moved to second on an error, then came around on consecutive passed balls, though.

Bradenton, though, scored twice against Zach Maxwell in the eighth to pull ahead 9-4. At that point, Daytona elected to use backup catcher Andruw Salcedo on the mound, who promptly picked up a strikeout to end the inning.

Salcedo worked himself into a bases-loaded jam in the ninth, but worked out of it with just one more run scoring, picking up another punchout in the process.

In the bottom of the ninth, Daytona showed some fight, as Cade Hunter doubled home a run. After moving to third on a bloop single, he came home on a sacrifice fly. However, that was as close as the Tortugas got, as Bradenton won 10-6.

The Tortugas will play game two against the Bradenton Marauders Wednesday night. Daytona will throw RHP Arij Fransen (2-5, 6.00), while Bradenton’s starter is still to be announced. Tomorrow night will be a Belly Buster Wednesday with all-you-can-eat hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn, and Marcos Pizza. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. with pregame coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network with the Voice of the Tortugas Brennan Mense begins at 6:20 from Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Daytona Tortugas single-game tickets and ticket packages are on sale now at daytonatortugas.com, (386) 257-3172, or the box office at 110 East Orange Ave.

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.