Tortugas Offense Left at Land in 2-1 Loss
Published on April 13, 2016 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Daytona Tortugas News Release
Jupiter, FL - The Daytona Tortugas offense was unable to deliver a clutch hit against the Palm Beach Cardinals Wednesday night in their 2-1 loss at Roger Dean Stadium. Daytona went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, leaving eight men on base. The Tortugas have dropped the first three games of the series.
A battle between a pair of highly touted pitching prospects set the tone of the game early. RHP Tyler Mahle, the tenth best prospect for the Reds, bounced back from his first start, tossing 5 2/3 innings of one run ball, while scattering six hits and striking out two. The Cardinals third-best prospect, RHP Jack Flaherty, lasted five innings and had a similar line to Mahle, allowing one run on six hits.
Palm Beach struck first with a run in the third on a Danny Diekroeger RBI single scoring Oscar Mercado, who had tripled with two outs. Daytona answered in the fifth on a Blake Trahan sacrifice fly to center, scoring Jonathan Reynoso, who had reached on a three-base throwing error by Flaherty to lead off the inning.
In the seventh, RHP Jake Ehret surrendered a run on a groundout off the bat of Mercado, putting Daytona down 2-1. The Cardinals tried to push for another run in the frame, but Aristides Aquino threw out Mikey Reynolds at home on a basehit, keeping it a one run deficit for Daytona. It was the second runner of the game Aquino threw out on the base paths.
The Tortugas had multiple chances to score throughout the game, but frequently failed to chase in. Daytona stranded three runners in scoring position over the first three innings, including Brian O'Grady at third base in both the first and third innings with less than two outs.
Ehret (1-1) suffered his first loss after throwing 2 1/3 innings of relief behind Mahle, with his only blemish being the run in the seventh inning. LHP Michael Meesch (1-0) earned the victory, tossing two scoreless innings, while RHP Kevin Herget picked up his second save of the series and third this season.
The series concludes Thursday, when RHP Keury Mella (0-1, 10.80) gets the start for the Tortugas against LHP Austin Gombers (0-1, 3.00). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM with the Chili's pre-game show starting at 6:20 PM on AM 1230 and AM 1490 WSBB.
NOTES: After recording a four strikeout game last night, Avain Rachal bounced back with a three hit performance...As a collective unit, Daytona is hitting just .217 with runners in scoring position...Mahle became the first Tortugas starter to last more than five innings.
Florida State League Stories from April 13, 2016
- Tortugas Offense Left at Land in 2-1 Loss - Daytona Tortugas
- Tampa Offense Held Quiet in Bradenton Win, 4-1 - Tampa Yankees
- Mercado Shines Bright - Palm Beach Cardinals
- Gonsalves, Bullpen Shutout Manatees, 3-0 - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Waddell Helps Marauders Conquer Tampa - Bradenton Marauders
- Seven-Run First Inning Propels Mets to 7-2 Win - St. Lucie Mets
- Eshelman Dominant in 10-Inning Defeat - Clearwater Threshers
- Dunedin Blue Jays Bark in the Park Saturday - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Threshers Accepting Nominations for Local Military Heroes - Clearwater Threshers
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
- Colon Dominates on the Mound, Tortugas Fall in 2-1 Heartbreaker
- Henley Collects Three Hits, Hunter Records First Pro Hit in 10-2 Loss
- Early Deficit Too Much to Overcome, Tortugas Fall 8-1
- Lewis, Friend Spark Rally in 6-5 Loss
- Tortugas Drop Series Finale, Turn Focus to Road Trip
