Sports stats



Daytona Tortugas

Cubs Bats Silenced Once Again At The Hands Of Former Teammate

July 31, 2009 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Daytona Tortugas News Release


DAYTONA BEACH - Darin Downs made his return to Daytona after being traded to the Tampa Rays organization last year, and led the Charlotte Stone Crabs (18-17) to an 8-3 victory over the Daytona Cubs (16-17).

The Stone Crabs got on the board early with two runs in the first inning off of Cubs starter Ryan Searle (6-8). Shortstop Shawn O'Malley was hit by a pitch and center fielder John Matulia followed with a single. Searle sat down the next two on strikes, but could not get Ryan Royster as he doubled in both runs.

Up 2-0, the Stone Crabs added a couple more in the top of the third inning. Matulia led off the frame with a double and then stole third. After a walk by Drew Anderson, Reid Fronk bunted his way aboard and brought in Matulia to put the Crabs in front, 3-0. The Stone Crabs tacked on one more thanks to a Marwin Gonzalez error.

Charlotte increased their lead to five in the top of the sixth inning off of Daytona reliever Mike Perconte. The righty loaded the bases with nobody out, but the Stone Crabs only pushed one across as David Anderson singled in third baseman Matt Hall.

The Cubs cracked the scoreboard in the sixth off of former Daytona Cub Darin Downs(12-4). With two outs in the inning Robinson Chirinos doubled to right center field and came home to score on a Marwin Gonzalez double down the left field line.

The Stone Crabs answered back with a bang in the seventh. With one away in the inning, Michael McCormick crushed a solo home run over the left field wall.

Charlotte would pad their lead in the top of the ninth. First baseman Shawn Williams led off the inning with a walk issued by Cubs reliever Jose Pina. After a McCormick double, Omar Luna doubled to right center field, and drove in Willams. Later in the frame O'Malley singled off of Pina's leg, and brought home McCormick.

The Cubs would make it interesting in the last of the ninth. Chirinos led off the inning with a walk, and advanced to second on a Gonzalez single. Jake Opitz then singled to load the bases for the Cubs. John Contreras recorded his first hit with Daytona on a single to right, that scored Chirinos and cut the deficit to six. Stone Crabs reliever Thomas Rafferty walked Jonathan Wyatt, which brought home Gonzalez from third.

That's the closest the Cubs would get as Justin Garcia came in and retired the next three batters to earn his second save of the year.

The Cubs and the Stone Crabs will continue their four game series tomorrow as Rafael Dolis and David Newmann will take the hill. Tommorow's first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. and the gates will open at 6:00 p.m. There will be fireworks after the conclusion of tomorrows game presented by, YMCA of Volusia/Flagler Counties, Food Lion, WDSC PBS Channel 15, Jon Hall Automotive and Chick-Fil-A.

Check out the Daytona Tortugas Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Florida State League message board...

Florida State League Stories from July 31, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central