Redbirds Fly Past Tortugas in Slugfest, 10-5
April 9, 2019 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Daytona Tortugas News Release
JUPITER, Fla. - Despite Daytona holding a 2-1 lead going to the bottom of the sixth, Palm Beach erupted for six runs in the sixth and three more in the eighth, as the Cardinals rallied to best the Tortugas, 10-5, on Tuesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
After a 1B Luken Baker (2-3, R, 2B, RBI, 2 BB, SO) walk and a 3B Zach Kirtley (2-3, 2 R, 2 BB) single, LF Nick Plummer (1-4, R, 3B, 2 RBI, 3 SO) was plunked to load the bases. Still down a run, DH Bryce Denton (2-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB) lofted a double over the right fielder's head - scoring a pair - to put the Cardinals (5-1) in front, 3-2.
After a pitching change, Palm Beach's onslaught did not stop. A hit-by-pitch reloaded the bases and SS Jose Martinez (1-3, RBI) added to the Daytona (2-4) deficit with a sacrifice fly to center. RF Justin Toerner's (1-5, R, RBI, 2 SO) run-scoring single made it a 5-2 contest, while CF Chase Pinder (1-4, RBI, BB) knocked home another tally. A throwing error on the play permitted Toerner to score from first to put the Redbirds in front by five, 7-2.
Daytona managed to chip away at the lead - courtesy of 3B Jonathan India (3-5, R, HR, 2 RBI, SO) - trimming it down to three going to the bottom of the eighth. The 2018 first-round pick started the Tortugas' seventh with a slicing line drive that carried over the fence to the right of dead center for a solo home run, his first of the season. An inning later - after an error and a SS Carlos Rivero (2-4, 2 SO) single - India poked another run-scoring hit to center to pull Daytona within 7-4.
That was as close as the 'Tugas would get, as Palm Beach put the game away in the eighth. With no one on and two outs, 2B Nick Dunn (1-5, R, SO) singled and crossed the dish on a double to left by Baker. Immediately after a free pass, Plummer blasted a triple into the right-center field gap. The three-base hit drove in a pair to give the Cardinals a game-best six-run lead, 10-4.
The Tortugas would score one more time in the top of the ninth, as RF Andy Sugilio (1-5, R, RBI) singled and came across on a base-hit by C Mark Kolozsvary (1-1, RBI).
Palm Beach jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the second thanks to a solo blast to left off the bat of Denton, his first of the season. Daytona then grabbed their only lead of the night in the top of the fourth. Three-straight singles began the inning and - with nobody out - Sugilio hit a grounder to short. The throw to get the force at home hit off the runner - allowing 1B Bruce Yari (1-5, R, SO) to score from second - enabling the Tortugas to sneak ahead, 2-1.
LHP Reiver Sanmartin (5.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) got off to a fine start before faltering late. The Daytona left-hander was saddled with his first defeat of the season. RHP Johan Oviedo (5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) - whose start was turned into a relief outing after RHP Luke Gregerson (1.0 IP, SO) began the contest with a rehab appearance - punched out five to earn his first win of 2019.
The Tortugas will look to halt their two-game skid on Wednesday, as RHP Ryan Lillie (0-0, 6.00 ERA) is scheduled to make his second start of the season. Palm Beach is expected to counter with former Fresno State standout RHP Edgar Gonzalez (1-0, 0.00 ERA).
The Tortugas Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 6:15 p.m. ET, leading up to the 6:30 p.m. ET start at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Wednesday evening's contest can be heard on daytonatortugas.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
Following the road trip, the Tortugas will return home to open up a three-game homestand against the Tampa Tarpons, High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, on Friday, April 12. That night, Daytona will kick start its Jackie Robinson Weekend by wearing special No. 9 uniforms - the number Jackie wore during his history-making debut on City Island in 1946 - as part of the team's Best Dressed Friday series. It will also be the Tortugas' Friday Night Done Right, as the organization partners with One Voice for Volusia to recognize local children and heroes who continue to break barriers. Fans are encouraged to stick around until the final out, as they will be treated a spectacular Postgame Fireworks show after the game.
Season ticket and multi-game plans are still currently available and can be purchased online at www.daytonatortugas.com, or by calling the Tortugas' Ticket Office at (386) 257-3172.
Florida State League Stories from April 9, 2019
- Mize Tough to Overcome in 3-1 Loss - Clearwater Threshers
- Tampa Falls Short, 9-8, as St. Lucie Blisters Bullpen - Tampa Tarpons
- Redbirds Fly Past Tortugas in Slugfest, 10-5 - Daytona Tortugas
- Walls Home Run Lifts Stone Crabs Past Marauders 3-2 - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Offense Breaks Out, Mets Survive 9-8 at Tampa - St. Lucie Mets
- Diaz Lifts Miracle Past Dunedin, 1-0 - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Stone Crabs Game Notes - Tue, April 9 vs Bradenton - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Soria's Heroics Help Florida Walk-Off Jupiter, 7-6 - Florida Fire Frogs
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