Daytona Offense Takes a Knapp in 6-1 Loss
July 13, 2016 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Daytona Tortugas News Release
ST. LUCIE, FL- The Daytona Tortugas (11-6, 47-39) were held in check by the St. Lucie Mets (10-9, 45-41) and their starting pitcher, RHP Ricky Knapp, in a 6-1 loss Wednesday night at Tradition Field. Knapp twirled eight strong innings, allowed just one earned run on six hits and struck out two. It's the first time Daytona has been held to fewer than two runs since June 1st.
Daytona scored an early run in the second inning on a Garrett Boulware RBI ground out to plate Aristides Aquino for the 1-0 lead. It was Boulware's 15th RBI of the season. Daytona had two in scoring position with one out in the inning, but managed just the one run before Knapp settled in. Beginning with the Boulware groundout, the righty retired 14 straight.
The Mets offense then responded with four unanswered runs in the fourth and fifth innings. In the fourth, a two-out walk to Kevin Taylor extended the inning for Tomas Nido, who smacked a two-run homer off the top of the left field wall and over the fence to give St. Lucie the 2-1 lead.
In the fifth inning, it was a lead-off walk issued to Patrick Biondi by Tortugas starter RHP Keury Mella, followed by Jhonan Urena's own two-run blast which padded the Mets lead, 4-1. It was the first time Mella allowed two home runs in the same game since July 23, 2015, when he was with the San Jose Giants.
The Tortugas threatened in the seventh. Angelo Gumbs and Gavin LaValley each singled to put runners at the corners with no outs. Aquino then lined sharply to Urena at third, who threw across to first base to double up LaValley for a rally-killing double play. Ronald Bueno flied out to left to end the threat, stranding Gumbs at third.
St. Lucie added two more runs in the eighth on an Urena two-run single to break the game open, making it the final score of 6-1.
Mella (6-6) suffered the loss, working five innings, allowing four earned runs on seven hits, walking two, and striking out one. It was his first loss since June 9th against the Palm Beach Cardinals. Mets' starter Ricky Knapp (8-4) allowed a run on six hits over eight innings in the win. It was the third time he tossed eight innings in a start this year and the second time against Daytona.
The Tortugas resume the series with game two Thursday night at 6:30 PM at Tradition Field. RHP Jake Paulson (0-5, 6.60 ERA) will make the start for Daytona, while St. Lucie has yet to name a starter. Coverage will begin at 6:20 PM on AM 1230 and AM 1490 WSBB.
Notes: The Tortugas have now lost three straight games to the Mets, dating back to the final two games of their first series in Daytona when the Tortugas fell 2-0 and 2-1...LaValley extended his on-base streak to 21-games with a 2-for-4 night...Aquino's on-base streak ended at 25 games, tied for the second longest in the FSL this season...Daytona has scored seven runs in the five games against St. Lucie. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
Florida State League Stories from July 13, 2016
- Yankees Tally 15 Hits, Pound Miracle, 8-3 - Tampa Yankees
- Garcia Brilliant in One-Hit Shutout - Clearwater Threshers
- Back-And-Fourth Battle Goes to Bradenton - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Tampa Deals Miracle An 8-3 Loss to Start Series - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Daytona Offense Takes a Knapp in 6-1 Loss - Daytona Tortugas
- Knapp Dominates, Mets Take Opener from Tortugas - St. Lucie Mets
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.
