[Empty Body]
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - The Daytona Tortugas fell, 9-6, against the Bradenton Marauders in 13 innings Wednesday night at Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in front of 3,163 fans. The crowd for Back to School Night was the largest Wednesday crowd at The Jack since a doubleheader on April 9, 2014.
Daytona erased a five run deficit by the fifth inning. After LHP Seth Varner allowed five runs in the second, Daytona began to chip away, starting with a Mitch Piatnik homer in the third.
Daytona would get a pair of runs in the fourth against RHP Pedro Vasquez on RBI singles from Brantley Bell and Chris Okey. The Tortugas would tie up the game a frame later, on James Vasquez second double of the game, a two run extra-base hit to center.
The game would remain tied all the way until the eighth inning, when Mitchell Tolman lead off the frame with a home run to left field against RHP Ryan Hendrix. It was the second homer of the night for Tolman and his second career multi-homer game.
The Tortugas would bounce back once again, this time against reliever RHP Sam Street. Blake Butler drew a two out walk to push the tying run in scoring position. Mitch Piatnik would then drive him in a batter later, on an infield pop up that dropped between the two middle infielders behind second base. Gabriel Ovalle stared at strike three to end the rally, and the game eventually went to extra innings.
Neither team threatened until the 13th frame, when Bradenton broke through against RHP Sandy Lugo. Ty Moore doubled to left with one out, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a Stephen Alemais fly ball to right field to break the tie. The Marauders would bust it open on Logan Ratledge's second homer of the series, a two run drive to left field.
Daytona would go down 1-2-3 in the home half against RHP Yunior Montero, unable to erase a third deficit.
The Tortugas will look to avoid the sweep on Thursday. LHP Ty Boyles (4-6, 3.93) gets the ball for the Tortugas on College Night and Thirsty Thursday at The Jack. Gates open at 6 PM for a 7:05 PM first pitch. Coverage begins at 6:50 PM on AM 1230 and AM 1490 WSBB with The Metcare Pregame Show.
NOTES: James Vasquez has now reached base in a season-best 15 straight games...Bradenton has now won the season series, having won six of the first 10 meetings with just one remaining...Daytona is 0-16-2 in their 18 series since June 4th.
