JUPITER, Fla. — The Daytona Tortugas collected 14 hits and brought the potential tying run to third base in the ninth inning, but their late rally fell just short in an 8-7 loss to the Palm Beach Cardinals on Saturday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Ichiro Cano recorded three hits and drove in two runs, while Anielson Buten added three hits and three stolen bases. Daytona scored three times in the fourth, once in the eighth and twice in the ninth after falling behind 6-1, but Palm Beach held on to secure the six-game series.
The Rundown
Daytona threatened immediately when Cano doubled with one out in the first, but Palm Beach starter Ethan Young stranded him.
Palm Beach broke through against Dony Aguilera in the second. Matthew Miura and Gabe Camacho singled before Jayden Lobliner launched a three-run home run to left, putting the Cardinals ahead 3-0.
The Tortugas answered in the third. Buten singled, stole second and third, then scored on a Cano RBI single to cut the deficit to 3-1.
Palm Beach responded with three more in the bottom half. Ryan Mitchell singled before a Daytona error and hit batter loaded the bases. Miura drew a bases-loaded walk and Camacho followed with a two-run double to center, extending the lead to 6-1.
Duncan Marsten entered from the bullpen to make his professional debut and escaped the inning with consecutive strikeouts.
Daytona climbed back into the game with a three-run fourth.
Rafhlmil Torres singled and Jirvin Morillo followed with another base hit. Drew Davies brought home Torres with a sacrifice fly before Buten singled in Morillo. Buten then stole second and scored on Cano’s third hit of the night, trimming Palm Beach’s advantage to 6-4.
The Cardinals added another run in the bottom of the inning when Alexander Frias reached third on an outfield error and scored on a wild pitch.
Logan Tanner took over in the fifth and was dominant. He retired all six batters he faced across two perfect innings, striking out four to extend his scoreless-inning streak to 7.2 innings.
Daytona remained within striking distance and cut the margin to 7-5 in the eighth. Davies reached on a wild pitch after striking out, Buten followed with a bunt single and another wild pitch eventually brought Davies home.
Palm Beach restored its three-run lead in the bottom of the eighth when Lobliner hit his second home run of the night, a solo shot to right.
The Tortugas mounted one final rally in the ninth. Mulivai Levu singled and Torres walked before Morillo lined an RBI single to right-center. Davies then doubled home Torres, cutting the deficit to 8-7 and putting runners at second and third with one out.
Palm Beach escaped when Morillo was cut down at the plate trying to score on a wild pitch before Buten struck out to end the game.
Stat of the Game
7.2 — Tanner extended his scoreless-inning streak to 7.2 innings with two perfect frames and four strikeouts.
Notes
• Daytona fell to 58-72 overall and 37-27 in the second half.
• The Tortugas fell to 1-4 in September.
• Palm Beach clinched the six-game series and leads it, 4-1.
• Daytona fell to 10-13 against Palm Beach this season.
• The Tortugas fell to 11-13 on Saturdays.
• Daytona fell to 46-51 in night games.
• The Tortugas fell to 20-44 on the road.
• Daytona finished 1-9-1 in road series this season.
• The Tortugas fell to 1-56 when trailing after seven innings.
• Daytona fell to 20-15 in one-run games.
• The Tortugas fell to 32-7 when recording at least 10 hits.
• Daytona fell to 51-20 when scoring at least five runs.
• The Tortugas fell to 43-5 when outhitting their opponent.
• Aguilera made his Single-A debut.
• Marsten made his professional debut.
• Cano recorded his 28th multi-hit game and seventh three-hit game of the season.
• Cano recorded his 18th multi-RBI game and 14th two-RBI game.
• Torres recorded his 30th multi-hit game and 23rd two-hit game.
• Morillo recorded his fifth multi-hit game and fourth two-hit game.
• Davies recorded his 16th multi-hit game and 14th two-hit game.
• Davies recorded his 14th multi-RBI game and 10th two-RBI game.
• Buten recorded his 17th multi-hit game and fourth three-hit game.
• Cano extended his on-base streak to 22 games and his hitting streak to six games.
• Davies extended his on-base streak to eight games.
• Hairston extended his on-base streak to 15 games.
• Morillo extended his on-base streak to four games.
• Tanner extended his scoreless-inning streak to 7.2 innings and his scoreless-appearance streak to three outings.
Up Next
The Tortugas conclude the 2026 Florida State League regular season on Sunday, September 6 against the Palm Beach Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET.