Tortugas Sweep DH with Two Shutouts

Published on August 19, 2015 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Daytona Tortugas News Release

Daytona Beach, FL - The Daytona Tortugas (32-19, 69-52) shut out the Brevard County Manatees (22-29, 51-69) over 14 innings for a doubleheader sweep on Wednesday night at Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Daytona has guaranteed itself at least a season series split in the I-95 Rivalry, winning 10 the first 16 matchups with Brevard County this year.

Game 1: Daytona 4, Brevard County 0

LHP Amir Garrett (W, 9-6) stole the show yet again, holding an opponent to two earned runs or fewer for the 20th time in 24 starts with the Tortugas. On Wednesday, he threw a complete game four-hit shutout over seven innings with no walks and five strikeouts. It was the first time since June 23 that Garrett did not issue a single free pass. The southpaw scattered four singles and retired the final 10 Manatees in order.

3B Taylor Sparks powered the offense with three hits in three at bats. He singled in the first, drove in a run with a triple in the fourth, and gave Daytona a 4-0 lead with a two-run homer in the sixth. His blast bounced off the top of the left centerfield wall, and moved him into a tie for second in the Florida State League with 12 long balls. Sparks had started the series 0-for-10 with eight strikeouts.

C Joe Hudson doubled, walked and scored twice in his debut as a cleanup hitter. SS Carlton Daal and 1B Chad Wallach also delivered base knocks in the winning effort.

Game 2: Daytona 3, Brevard County 0

The Tortugas scored three runs in the first two innings to set the tone for the finale. A hit batter, single and error loaded the bases with no outs in the first, and a Sparks sacrifice fly put Daytona in front, 1-0. One batter later, DH Sebastian Elizalde doubled the lead with an RBI single to right.

CF Junior Arias clobbered his ninth homer of the season to give the Tortugas a 3-0 lead in the second inning.

LHP Seth Varner (W, 2-4) went five innings and allowed just two hits and a walk while striking out six batters. RHP El'Hajj Muhammad threw a scoreless sixth, and RHP Alejandro Chacin (S, 7) punched out the side in order to close in the seventh.

Wei-Chung Wang (L, 9-5) and Zach Hirsch (L, 1-3) each took complete game losses for the Manatees.

The Tortugas will hit the road for a six game trip, featuring three games against the second place Tampa Yankees and the first half champion Clearwater Threshers. Thursday night's game is scheduled for for 7:00 p.m. at Steinbrenner Field. Fans can listen to the action on The Great Voice of Volusia County, AM 1230 and AM 1490 WSBB.

Daytona Tortugas Pitcher Amir Garrett (Aldrin Capulong)

Florida State League Stories from August 19, 2015

• Miracle Sweep Stone Crabs with 6-4 Win - Charlotte Stone Crabs
• T-Yanks Fall Short as Flying Tigers Sweep Double-Header - Tampa Yankees
• Tortugas Sweep DH with Two Shutouts - Daytona Tortugas
• Miracle Tag Former Teammate, Sweep Crabs with 6-4 Win - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
• Dunedin Falls to Clearwater in Series Finale - Dunedin Blue Jays
• Threshers Topple Blue Jays, Take Series - Clearwater Threshers
• Marauders' Comeback Falls Short - Bradenton Marauders
• Sabol Crushes Walk-Off HR to Lift Mets to 6-5 Win - St. Lucie Mets
• Flying Tigers Return Home Tomorrow to Battle Blue Jays - Lakeland Flying Tigers

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

• Tortugas Season Ends with Finals Defeat
• Duno Named FSL MVP; Stafura and Sanchez Tabbed All-Stars
• Tortugas Held to One Hit in Championship Series Opener
• Tortugas Twirl Two-Hitter to Punch Ticket to FSL Championship
• Tortugas Stave off Elimination with Brilliant Bullpen in 7-2 Win