FSL Daytona Tortugas

Clearwater Capitalizes Early, Capsizes Daytona, 5-2

June 26, 2021 - Florida State League (FSL)
Daytona Tortugas News Release


CLEARWATER, Fla. - RHP Mick Abel kept Daytona hitless through five frames, but the visitors would not quit. The Tortugas managed to bring the go-ahead run to the plate in the ninth, but could not complete the comeback, as the Clearwater Threshers captured a 5-2 victory on Saturday night at BayCare Ballpark.

Clearwater (24-23) started the night hot, as CF Johan Rojas (1-2, R, 2B, RBI, BB) doubled down the right-field line with one out in the first. Following a line out to right, 1B Rixon Wingrove (1-4, 2B, RBI) slapped a grounder against the shift and down the line in left. Rojas scored on the two-base hit to give the Threshers an early lead, 1-0.

SS Luis García (1-3, R, 3B, BB) kept Clearwater's offense chugging in the second, leading off the frame with a triple against the right-field fence. With one down, DH Edgar Madé (1-3, 2 R, RBI, BB, SO) struck a single through the right-side to double the advantage to 2-0. RF Yhoswar García (1-4, RBI, BB, 3 SO) made it 3-0 with a run-scoring knock to left, two batters later.

After a walk, a stolen base, a wild pitch, and a passed ball allowed the Threshers to extend their cushion to 4-0 in the fifth, Daytona (20-27) finally picked up their first base knock, as Abel (5.0 IP, BB, 8 SO) finally was lifted after five hitless frames.

The first three batters against LHP Maikel Garrido (2.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 4 SO) singled to load the bases. Following a soft line out to right, RF Austin Hendrick (0-3, RBI, BB, 2 SO) drew a bases-loaded free pass to chase in the Tortugas first run, 4-1. A double play drew the inning to a close and kept Daytona's deficit at three.

A bases-full hit-by-pitch of Rojas in the sixth enabled Clearwater to regain a four-run edge, but the 'Tugas retaliated in the top of the seventh. DH Garrett Wolforth (1-4, R, 3 SO) led off with a single to extend his team-season-high on-base streak to 15. A two-base error on the play allowed him to reach third before scoring on a double to left by C Daniel Vellojín (1-4, 2B, RBI, SO).

LF Wendell Marrero (2-3, R, SO) singled two batters later to bring the tying run to the plate once more, but consecutive strikeouts halted the rally.

Still trailing 5-2 in the ninth, Daytona loaded the bases on a SS Ivan Johnson (0-3, BB, SO) walk, a plunking of Marrero, and a free pass to pinch-hitter Leo Seminati (0-0, BB). With the go-ahead run at the plate, LHP Erubiel Armenta (1.1 IP, 2 BB, 4 SO) dialed up a 93 mph fastball to record a strikeout to end the ballgame and seal the first save of his professional career.

Issuing a leadoff walk to 2B Brandon Leyton (0-4, BB, 2 SO) was the only misstep to Abel on Saturday. The 19-year-old retired the final 15 batters he faced and tied a career-best with eight strikeouts en route to his first professional victory.

Tortugas RHP James Marinan (4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 SO) retired seven-straight Threshers to conclude his night, but the Boynton Beach, Fla. native took his first loss of the season in his first start since August 5, 2018, with Low-A Dayton.

May's Low-A Southeast Pitcher of the Month - RHP James Proctor (2-0, 1.65) - is expected to get the ball for Daytona in the finale, as they search for a series split. Clearwater projects to counter with RHP Victor Vargas (2-0, 3.45), who earned the save on Tuesday night. Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 11:45 a.m. The first pitch is slated for 12:00 p.m.

Daytona will return home to open up their Independence Day Homestand on Tuesday, June 29, against the Lakeland Flying Tigers, the Low-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. It will be a Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Radiology Associates Imaging, as Daytona players and coaches will don special pink-tinted uniforms to mark the occasion. Silver Sluggers Night - the best club in baseball for fans 60-and-over - presented by Conviva Cares Solutions will also be a part of the festivities. Fans can get in on deals at the concession stand with $2.50 Michelob Ultra draft beers.

Season tickets, multi-game plans, group packages, and single-game tickets are currently available and can be purchased online at www.daytonatortugas.com or by calling the Tortugas' Ticket Office at (386) 257-3172.

Check out the Daytona Tortugas Statistics



Florida State League Stories from June 26, 2021


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