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Daytona Tortugas

Tortugas Force Extras But Fall Short in 10th

July 13, 2015 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Daytona Tortugas News Release


Daytona Beach, FL - The Daytona Tortugas (9-8, 46-41) lost their first home game against the Bradenton Marauders (10-8, 42-46) with a 4-3 defeat in game three of the series. Although the Tortugas found their way to a couple of close, one-run wins in the first two games against the Pirates affiliate, it was the Marauders who took the late win on Sunday.

RHP Jackson Stephens started the game for Daytona and ended up with his first no decision since May 22. The Marauders plated two runs off Stephens in the second inning when he uncharacteristically let two runners aboard, one via walk and the other with a hit-by-pitch. Both runners would score thanks to a double-play ground ball by Justin Maffei and an infield RBI single from Michael Fransoso as the Maruaders took an early 2-0 lead. After the troublesome second, Stephens was able to settle in and retire 11 of the last 12 batters he faced.

Bradenton starter Tyler Eppler also received a no decision but kept the Daytona offense to a minimum. The Tortugas were held to just two hits through the first six innings and between the second and fifth innings, Eppler retired 10 in a row. The Tortugas were able to get on the board in the sixth when 2B Ronald Bueno led off with a walk and stole second base. He reached third on a groundout and then RF Sebastian Elizalde singled him home to make it 2-1.

In familiar fashion, the Marauders answered right back with a run in the seventh when LHP Nolan Becker replaced Stephens and let up a one out triple to Justin Maffei. One batter later, Maffei scored on an RBI single from Michael Fransoso to put Bradenton back on top by by two, 3-1.

Not to go down without a fight, the Tortugas found a way to work the score back even with a two run eighth inning. Once again it began with Bueno, who reached on a single. Then DH Phillip Ervin doubled to put two runners in scoring position. Next, CF Junior Arias grounded out to score Bueno and brought the Tugas within one. Elizalde then got his second RBI when he brought home Ervin on a sacrifice fly and tied the game, 3-3.

Both teams did not find a run in the ninth, but in the tenth Bradenton pieced together the winning run. With RHP Evan Mitchell (L, 2-1) pitching, JaCoby Jones singled and reached third on an errant pickoff attempt. Then with one out, Erich Weiss was intentionally walked to set up a double play situation. It almost paid off when Edwin Espinal grounded one to third base and 3B Taylor Sparks threw to second for the second out. However, Bueno dropped the ball on the transfer and Jones scored from third in the process. That would put Bradenton up 4-3. The Tortugas couldn't find any extra inning magic, going down in order in the bottom of the 10th.

Daytona is now 5-2 against Bradenton this year and will be going for the series win tomorrow in the finale. It's also the finale of a seven game homestand for the Tortugas. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Fans can listen to the action on AM 1230 and AM 1490 WSBB starting with the D.B. Pickles Pregame Show at 6:50 p.m.

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Florida State League Stories from July 13, 2015


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