Bats Remain Silenced in St. Lucie
July 14, 2016 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Daytona Tortugas News Release
ST. LUCIE, FL- The Daytona Tortugas (11-7, 47-40) struggled offensively once again in a 5-2 loss to the St. Lucie Mets (11-9, 46-41) Thursday night at Tradition Field. Daytona has lost four straight games to the Mets, getting outscored 15-4 during that stretch.
The St. Lucie Mets struck for two early runs in the second inning. Luis Guillorme doubled to left field before Vinny Siena singled up the middle to give the Mets an early 1-0 lead. With two outs in the inning, Kevin Kaczmarski reached on a fielder's choice, moved to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a David Thompson RBI double to double the lead, 2-0.
In the third, the Mets would score on a safety squeeze bunt from Guillorme to make it a 3-0 deficit for Daytona. The Torutgas would take advantage of a David Thompson error at third base in the fifth, scoring Angelo Gumbs to make it a 3-1 ballgame.
However, Daytona surrendered the run right back on a sacrifice fly from Jhoan Urena to score John Mora, who walked to lead-off the inning,to regain the three run lead. The Mets tacked on another run in their half of the seventh, when Kevin Taylor scored from third on a passed ball by Chadwick Tromp, his second of the inning, for the 5-1 lead.
The Tortugas attempted to rally in the ninth inning. Gavin LaValley ripped a double down the left field line to set the inning and extend his on-base streak to 22-games. Aristides Aquino advanced LaValley to third on a fly ball to left field before Gumbs knocked LaValley in with his 40th RBI of the season, a base hit to right field, to make it a 5-2 lead. However, the Tortugas would go down quietly with a pop out and strike out to end the game.
RHP Jake Paulson (0-6) suffered his second consecutive start since returning from the disabled list. The righty lasted 2 1/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on eight hits. RHP Alex Palsha (1-0) earned the win, as he worked two scoreless innings of relief.
Daytona will look to begin a split of the series Friday at Tradition Field. LHP Seth Varner (4-4, 3.22 ERA) will make the start for the Tortugas, while the Mets counter with LHP P.J. Conlon (2-0, 2.33 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM, with coverage beginning at 6:20 PM on AM 1230 and AM 1490 WSBB.
Notes: The Tortugas have been outscored 15-4 in their four straight losses to the Mets...After scoring 19 runs over the final two games of their series with Charlotte, Daytona has managed just three runs through the first two games of this series...LaValley now has the longest active on-base streak in the FSL at 22 games. He has hit safely in 21 of those games. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
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Florida State League Stories from July 14, 2016
- Tampa Stomps Fort Myers with Season-High 13 - Tampa Yankees
- Back-And-Fourth Battle Goes to Bradento - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Bats Remain Silenced in St. Lucie - Daytona Tortugas
- Yankees Rout Miracle, 13-6 - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Bats Remain Silenced vs St Lucie - Daytona Tortugas
- Kiermaier Helps Stoney Sweep Flying Tigers - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Mets Take Down Tortugas 5-2 - St. Lucie Mets
- Threshers Hold off Cardinals, 8-6 - Clearwater Threshers
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