Tortugas Power Past Tampa
August 12, 2016 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Daytona Tortugas News Release
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - The Daytona Tortugas (28-18, 64-51) blasted three home runs to power past the Tampa Yankees (25-22, 67-49), 5-2, Friday Night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Aristides Aquino enjoyed his third multi-homer game of the season while Shed Long cranked his fourth long ball since joining the Tortugas.
The Tortugas erased an early 2-0 first inning deficit after Zack Zehner drove in two runs on an infield single of RHP Keury Mella. Mella has now alled 19 runs in 21 first innings.
Daytona responded in the second inning when Aquino lined his first home run of the night over the left field wall to cut the deficit in half, 2-1.
In the third inning, Long crushed a game-tying home run off the batters eye in straight-away center field to knot the game, 2-2. That score would hold all the way to the seventh inning.
Meanwhile, Mella settled in nicely after allowing the pair of runs and retired the final eight batters he faced. He lasted six innings, allowed the two runs on five hits and struck out eight. RHP Alex Powers (7-0) earned another win out of the bullpen after working a clean seventh.
The Tortugas took the lead in their half of the seventh inning when Long sliced a bloop single to left field to plate Brian O'Grady from second base to push Daytona out in front, 3-2. In the eighth, Aquino clobbered his second homer of the night, a two-run shot to left-center, to widen the gap, 5-2.
RHP Ariel Hernandez notched his third save of the season and second two-inning save of the homestand. RHP Yefrey Ramirez (2-5) suffered the loss for Tampa, allowing three earned runs in 6 1/3 innings of work.
The Tortugas wrap up their regular season series with the Yankees Saturday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Daytona looks to LHP Seth Varner (5-7, 3.90 ERA), while Tampa will have MLB rehabber RHP Bryan Mitchell (0-0, 0.00) on the hill. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with coverage beginning at 6:50 p.m. on AM 1230 and AM 1490 WSBB. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
• Discuss this story on the Florida State League message board...
Florida State League Stories from August 12, 2016
- Tortugas Power Past Tampa - Daytona Tortugas
- Arcia's Blast Sinks Former Team, Crabs Win 2-0 - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Shafer Strong in Odd Relief Role, Jays Win 6-2 - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Mets Remain Winless At Mckechnie With 7-4 Loss - St. Lucie Mets
- Tromp Hammers 7th Homer in Loss - Clearwater Threshers
- Tortugas Tromp Yankees To Earn Split - Daytona Tortugas
- Miracle Host Unity In The Community And Craft Beer Fest - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
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.
Other Recent Daytona Tortugas Stories
- Wild Wednesday Walk-off Evens Series
- Cabrera Extends Hit Streak in Shutout Loss
- Ricardo Cabrera Named Florida State League Player of the Week
- Tortugas Hit Three Homers, But Late Bradenton Rally Leads to 8-7 Loss
- Big Hit, Big Throws Key Tortugas to Series-Clinching Win
