Tortugas Struggle Under Pressure in 6-3 Loss

Published on August 27, 2015 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Daytona Tortugas News Release

Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, Home of the Daytona Tortugas
(Daytona Tortugas, Credit: Aldrin Capulong)

The 'Tugas had chances aplenty, but finished the day 1-for-16 with runners in scoring position and could not overcome an early four-run deficit.

After a perfect first inning, RHP Nick Travieso (L, 6-6) temporarily lost his command. Mike Ford led off the second inning with a homer to right, and four consecutive walks forced in another run to make it 2-0 Yankees. Following a pop-out, Abiatal Avelino delivered the big blow, lacing a two-run wall-ball double to left that extended the lead to 4-0.

Daytona got on the board in the third. SS Ronald Bueno drew a leadoff walk and moved to third on a single from LF Brian O'Grady. With runners on the corners, O'Grady broke for second base, and catcher Kyle Higashioka dropped the ball on the transfer behind home plate. The ball rolled back to the screen, and Bueno scored from third. Gabriel Encinas limited the damage from there, striking out the rest of the side in order to keep it 4-1.

Tampa got the run back in the top of the fourth with a Michael O'Neill triple and a Jorge Mateo RBI single, but the Tortugas scratched across a pair in the bottom half. CF Junior Arias reached on a walk, stole two bases and came home on a wild pitch to make it 5-2. 3B Taylor Sparks then drew a walk of his own before stealing second base. He would score on a ground ball through the middle from 2B Wendell Soto, who brought Daytona within two runs at 5-3.

Even with Soto's base knock, the Tortugas are now 1-for-31 with runners in scoring position over their last three games.

Travieso finished strong, retiring eight of the final nine batters he faced for six complete innings, and LHP Seth Varner punched out three batters in two perfect innings to keep the Tortugas close. Tampa added an insurance run with an RBI groundout in the top of the ninth, and ended the game on a 4-6-3 double play in the bottom of the inning.

RHP Jackson Stephens is scheduled to start Game 2 on Friday night in Daytona Beach on Jimmy Buffett Theme Night featuring Captain Nick. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. ET, and the first 1,000 fans will receive Tortugas Sunglasses thanks to Bob and Lori Fregolle.

Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, Home of the Daytona Tortugas (Aldrin Capulong)

Florida State League Stories from August 27, 2015

• D-Jays Grounded in Opener by Flying Tigers - Dunedin Blue Jays
• Tortugas Struggle Under Pressure in 6-3 Loss - Daytona Tortugas
• Miracle Set Attendance Record, Edge Marauders 3-2 on Thursday - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
• Cardinals Win Wild Game over Mets, 8-6 - St. Lucie Mets
• Marauders' Tying Run Thrown out at Home in Ninth - Bradenton Marauders
• Thursday's Manatees-Threshers Game Postponed - Brevard County Manatees
• Dunedin Blue Jays to Kick Off the College Football Season - Dunedin Blue Jays
• Final 2015 Marauders Homestand Starts Sunday - Bradenton Marauders
• Clearwater Threshers Fan Appreciation Weekend and Playoffs - Clearwater Threshers
• Playoff Preview: A Comeback to Remember - Clearwater Threshers
• Fan Appreciation Night September 5th - Tampa Yankees

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