Six Pack of Losses

DUNEDIN, FL - The Tortugas left the tying runs in scoring position in the eighth inning of their 4-2 loss against the Dunedin Blue Jays Sunday evening at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. Daytona has lost six straight and 12 of their last 13.
Dunedin scored all four runs in the third inning aginst RHP Vladimir Gutierrez. With one out and a runner on first, Dunedin strung together four straight hits to jump out to the lead. Gutierrez then induced a 5-4-3 doubleplay and did not allow a hit for the final 4 2/3 innings of his outing.
The Tortugas elbowed their way back into the game with single tallies in the fourth and fifth innings. Luis Gonzaled doubled to lead off the fourth inning and scored on a two out single from Alfredo Rodriguez. Blake Butler lead off the next frame with a line drive to center field. With two outs, Luis Gonzalez roped a single to left to cut the deficit to two.
That's the closest Daytona would get, squandering opportunites in the final two innings against LHP Kirby Snead. The eighth began with back-to-back singles from Gonzalez and James Vasquez. They were both sacrificed into scoring position by a Brian O'Grady bunt. Trailing 4-2, Snead struck out Rodriguez and got Garrett Boulware to ground out to short.
Butler lead off the ninth inning with a single to left against Snead, but a Mitch Piatnik ground ball doubleplay ended the rally. Daytona went 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position, leaving eight on base.
Gutierrez (5-6) allowed four runs on six hits in seven innings, while walking three and striking out six. He retired the final eight batters he faced. LHP Ryan Borucki (5-4) earned the win by allowing a pair of runs in 5 2/3 innings. Snead earned the second save of his career, despite allowing three hits in two innings.
Daytona (34-41, 1-9) concludes their final visit to Dunedin Monday night. RHP Jesús Reyes (6-3, 4.07) gets the ball for Daytona against RHP Jordan Romano (3-3, 2.86). The Tortugas return home after the game for a seven-game homestand that begins Tuesday with a July 4th Extravaganza. First pitch is scheduled for 6:15 PM on Monday with coverage beginning with The Metcare Pregame Show at 6:05 PM on AM 1230 and AM 1490 WSBB.
NOTES: Luis Gonzalez enjoyed his first three hit game as a Tortuga...Alfredo Rodriguez is 2 for his last 27, but has driven in a run in all three games of the series...TJ Friedl has drawn multiple walks in two of the last three games and has reached base in 12 of his 13 games with Daytona. He has five walks in the series...Brian O'Grady notched his first hit with Daytona in 2017 (1-for-13) with an infield single...Blake Butler is 7 for his last 21 after a 1-for-30 slump...This matches the longest losing streak since June, 2015. Both have occured since the All-Star Break.