Tortugas Throttle Hammerheads, 11-1, to Even Series

August 25, 2022 – Florida State League (FSL) – Daytona Tortugas News Release

JUPITER, Fla. – A one-run game into the final two innings of regulation, the offense made sure the Tortugas did not have to sweat the final six outs. Daytona erupted for nine runs on seven hits over their final two trips to the plate, throttling the Jupiter Hammerheads, 11-1, on Thursday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

Ahead 2-1 entering the top of the eighth, C Logan Tanner (1-5, R, BB, SO) ignited the Tortugas’ (17-33, 46-69) offense with a leadoff single to left. On the very next pitch, SS Edwin Arroyo (2-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 SO) celebrated his 19th birthday with a loud bang.

The Arecibo, P.R. native blasted a delivery beyond the right-field fence for a two-run home run, his first since being acquired by the Cincinnati Reds on July 30. His 14th overall clout tripled the Tortugas’ lead to 4-1.

Daytona’s offense would not stop there, as the first eight men to bat in the inning reached base. CF Justin Boyd (1-4, R, 2B, BB, SO) followed the home run by earning a walk, ending up at third thanks to a stolen base and a throwing error. After a walk to DH Yassel Pino (0-3, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB), 2B Johnny Ascanio (2-5, 2 R, RBI, SO) slapped a single past the drawn-in infield to stretch the advantage to four, 5-1.

LF Wendell Marrero (3-5, 3 R, 2B, RBI, SO) kept the onslaught going by smashing a grounder past the first baseman’s mitt and into the right-field corner. Ascanio stopped at third on the Dorado, P.R.’s run-scoring double, expanding the Tortugas’ edge to five, 6-1.

After a walk to 3B Austin Callahan (0-3, RBI, 2 BB, 2 SO) loaded the bases, RF Blake Dunn (2-2, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 BB) was plunked on his front left shoulder. The hit-by-pitch chased in a run to make it a 7-1 affair.

Following a pitching change, a double play ground ball brought in Daytona’s sixth run of the inning. In all, the Tortugas sent 11 hitters to the plate in the eighth inning, scoring six runs on four hits.

After RHP Trey Braithwaite (2.0 IP, SO) retired Jupiter (23-28, 57-58) in order in the bottom of the frame – his first with the club – Daytona hung one last crooked number to finish the night.

Pino garnered a one-out walk and advanced to second on Ascanio’s single to left. After a knock to center by Marrero loaded the bags, Callahan carried a sacrifice fly to center. All three runners advanced 90 feet, giving the Tortugas a 9-1 edge.

A wild pitch on ball four to Dunn enabled Ascanio to score from third and…