Bullpen Falters, Tortugas Fall
April 11, 2016 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Daytona Tortugas News Release
Jupiter, FL - A close game turned awry as the Daytona Tortugas bullpen struggled late in their 7-3 loss against the Palm Beach Cardinals Monday night at Roger Dean Stadium. The Cardinals brought 10 men to the plate and scored five runs in the eighth inning to put the game out of reach.
A pitching duel between Tortugas' starter RHP Tejay Antone and Cardinals RHP Matt Pearce paced the game for the first five innings with both offenses mustering just a single run on each starter. Antone allowed his run on a double play in the second inning, while Jonathan Reynoso tied the game up for Daytona with an RBI groundout in the fourth. Antone didn't factor in the decision, tossing five solid innings and allowing just one run on five hits, while walking three and striking out four.
In the sixth, LHP Brennan Bernardino came in relief of Antone and surrendered a run after a Danny Diekroeger lead-off double and Allen Staton RBI groundout, putting the Cardinals ahead 2-1.
RHP Nick Howard struggled in the eighth, allowing the five batters he faced to reach base on a single, double, three walks, and two wild pitches, which each allowed a run to score. LHP Seth Varner came in with the bases loaded and no outs and allowed two more of Howard's runners to score, making it a crooked inning for Palm Beach and a commanding 7-1 lead.
However, Daytona valiantly attempted a comeback in their half of the ninth inning. After an Angelo Gumbs RBI double scored Aristides Aquino, who reached on a hit-by-pitch, Taylor Sparks followed with a run-scoring single to make it 7-3. Daytona would get the game-tying run at the plate but a double play and strikeout ended the threat and Daytona's loss.
RHP Tejay Antone earned a no-decision in his Tortuga debut, allowing a run in five innings. LHP Brennan Bernardino took the loss, allowing the go-ahead run in the seventh. RHP Matt Pearce earned the win, after allowing an unearned run and four hits in his six innings of work.
The Tortugas and Cardinals continue the series Tuesday night at Roger Dean Stadium. RHP Jake Paulson (0-0, 0.00) gets the nod for Daytona while the Cardinals counter with RHP Jack Flaherty (0-0, 3.60). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 P.M., with the Chili's pre-game show starting at 6:20 P.M. on AM 1230 and AM 1490 WSBB.
NOTES: Daytona played their first clean defensive game of the season, after committing seven errors in their first four games...Dating back to last season with Dayton (A), Antone now has six no-decisions when allowing a run or less in five or more innings of work...Jonathan Reynoso's modest four-game hitting streak was snapped, however, he has driven in a run in four straight games.
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