Pitteli's Slam, Rodriguez's Rocket, Cardona's Gem Lead 11-5 Win

DAYTONA BEACH—Dominic Pitelli blasted a grand slam and Hector Rodriguez also homered to support Ryan Cardona’s 6.0 shutout innings as the Daytona Tortugas cruised to an 11-5 victory over the Tampa Tarpons on Saturday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Daytona (20-25, 49-61) pounded out 11 hits in a wire-to-wire victory, as Tampa (24-23, 55-58) saw their three game winning streak come to an end.

In the first inning, Daytona jumped ahead against Tampa starter Ryan Harvey. Victor Acosta led off with a double, then came around when Rodriguez connected on a 3-1 fastball and blasted it 434 feet over the center field fence for his 16^th home run of the season, a two-run shot that put Daytona in front 2-0.

Cardona then encountered his only real trouble of the night in the second inning. With one out, Brenny Escanio blasted a triple to deep right-center field, which was followed by a walk. However, the right-hander induced a pop-up to third and picked up a strikeout to end the inning.

Those final two outs of the second kicked off a dominant run for Cardona, who did not allow a baserunner over the next three innings, striking out two batters in each of the third and fifth frames.

Harvey, meanwhile, worked around traffic over three scoreless frames following the first, but was not as fortunate in the fifth. The right-hander allowed two hits to begin the inning before departing for Adam Stone, who promptly issued a walk to load the bases. Ariel Almonte followed with a single to right to bring in a run. Carter Graham then drew a walk to force in a second run. That brought up Pitelli, who launched a 1-1 offering over the right-field fence for a grand slam.

The slam not only was the second grand slam of the season for the Tortugas, but it was also the first professional home run for Pitelli. The hit also broke the game open, capping off a six-run fifth that put Daytona ahead 8-0.

Cardona then returned for the sixth. His string of 11 straight batters retired was broken by a leadoff error, but he retired the next three batters, including his season-high tying eighth punchout, to finish off just the second quality start from a Tortuga this season.

Cardona (2-2) went 6.0 innings, allowing only one hit, no runs, and two walks, with eight strikeouts, departing well in line for his second win.

Jean Correa came in in the seventh and surrendered three hits to start the inning, plating a run for Tampa, but the right-hander buckled down to leave two men in scoring position. He then battled through a bases-loaded jam in the eighth without a run.

On the other side, the Tortugas put the finishing touches on in the seventh, as a single, walk, and bunt hit loaded the bases for Connor Burns and Acosta, who each blooped successive RBI singles. A groundout from Rodriguez brought in a third run—also his third RBI of the night—to make it 11-1.

In the ninth, Pedro Alfonseca came in and wobbled, issuing a hit and three walks, while also plunking a batter that led to the benches clearing, but no ejections. After allowing three runs and only recording one out, Graham Osman came on and threw a wild pitch to bring in a fourth run, but he induced two groundouts to end the game, sealing an 11-5 victory.

Daytona will finish the series with the Tampa Tarpons on Sunday evening. Daytona will throw RHP Johnathan Harmon (3-5, 4.36) against Tampa RHP Yorlin Calderon (6-2, 3.46). Tomorrow be a Shelldon’s Family Fun Day Sunday with postgame Kids Run the Bases. We will also welcome our participants in the Tortugas Summer Reading Program. Gates will open at 4:00 p.m. with the first pitch at 5:00 p.m. with pregame coverage with the voice of the Tortugas, Brennan Mense, beginning at 4:45 p.m. on the Tortugas Radio Network.

Daytona Tortugas single-game tickets and ticket packages are on sale now at daytonatortugas.com, (386) 257-3172, or the box office at 110 East Orange Ave.

ABOUT THE DAYTONA TORTUGAS

The Daytona Tortugas are the Single-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of Minor League Baseball’s Florida State League. The Tortugas play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in downtown Daytona Beach, Fla. Jackie Robinson Ballpark also plays host to Bethune-Cookman University, the Jackie Robinson Ballpark Museum, and many community events and initiatives of all sizes throughout the year.