Blue Wahoos Walk-Off Montgomery For The Third Time This Week
June 21, 2021
The Blue Wahoos have become the drama kings.
All in a great way.
They finished a memorable week in franchise history with a third walk-off win in six days Sunday, this one from Canadian-born catcher J.D. Osborne, who delivered a line-drive rope down the left field line to produce a 10th-inning, 4-3 victory against the Montgomery Biscuits.
In a week that included rain delays, schedule changes, a swipe from Tropical Storm Claudette, the Blue Wahoos won five of six games against the Biscuits and made Father’s Day Weekend special at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
In winning Sunday before a crowd of 4,123, the Blue Wahoos (26-16) won three games in less than 24 hours. Sunday’s game was delayed a half-hour by weather.
“I’ve never seen that honestly,” said Osborne, referring to the weekend weather, including Saturday’s storm and Sunday’s pair of rain showers. “I have lived in Florida for seven years now and I have never seen a torrential downpour like that, and they we go back out there and there’s blue skies.
“It’s hard to stay in it right away when all that’s happening, but then you find that focal point that brings you back to the game.
“We did that all weekend,” Osborne said. “We just grinded. We had really good at-bats there, threw the ball well and good series, there. It just the chemistry and group of guys here.”
So here was Sunday’s scenario.
After winning a pair of seven-inning games, including a walk-off win, in a double-header Saturday that followed arrival of a tropical storm, the Blue Wahoos had just one hit through six innings. They trailed 3-1 in the seventh.
The lone hit was Riley Mahan’s second-inning homer. They again struggled against Montgomery left-hander Faustino Carrera, who kept the Blue Wahoos off-balance with his cutter and control, despite lower-than-normal velocity.
But with Carrera out and the Biscuits bullpen in, things changed in the seventh inning. They were in striking range thanks to another strong performance from their bullpen. Zach Wolf had pitched two scoreless innings following Jeff Lindgren’s five inning start.
“It’s almost like a movie, you can’t really write this stuff,” Mahan said. “But I think it speaks volumes to not only our starting pitching, but also our bullpen, just keeping us in games and not letting them get too far out of hand.
“Even in games when we’re not swinging it too great, we’re kind of battling and it pays off later in the game.”
Peyton Burdick, who blasted a two-run, game-winning walkoff in Saturday’s first game of the doubleheader, led off with a 482-foot poke to left-center trimming the deficit. In the ninth, Burdick led off again and took a pitch on his shouder.
He went to third on Jerar Encarnacion’s double. With one out and the bases loaded, Mahan produced a fly ball to left deep enough to score Burdick with the tying run.
In the top of the 10th, with a runner placed on second to start the inning in pro baseball’s extra-inning format, Blue Wahoos reliever Roberto Guerrero worked his second clean inning. He stranded the Biscuits runner at third with one out with a strikeout against top-of-the-order hitter Garrett Whitley, the got Xavier Edwards to pop out to shortstop Devin Hairston.
Osborne, who was a talented teenage hockey player in Canada, waisted no time when getting his shot.
He jumped on a 1-2 pitch and rifled it down the line for the game winner.
“I was just trying to find any way to contribute to the team,” said Osborne, who joined the Blue Wahoos in a promotion June 6 from the Beloit (Wisc.) Snappers, the Miami Marlins High-A affiliate. “I saw a fastball there. I knew they didn’t have anything crazy to beat me, so just stay within myself and put the bat on the ball and it worked out in my favor. And the rest is history, we walked it off.
The win gave the Blue Wahoos a phenomenal 12-4 record in one-run games and was their seventh come-from-behind-win in late innings.
They now have the best record in the Double-A South with a big road series beginning Tuesday against the Birmingham Barons, who took four of six games in Pensacola in the only series the Blue Wahoos lost this year.
Man Found Critically Injured In Century Bar Parking Lot
June 20, 2021
A man was found critically injured in the parking lot of a Century bar Saturday night.
About 10 p.m., the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a man down call in the parking lot of Odom’s Bar on North Century Boulevard at the state line. They arrived to find the victim in the parking lot.
ECSO Sgt. Melanie Peterson told NorthEscambia.com that deputies where not sure exactly what happened to him.
Witnesses told deputies that the man was seen involved in a “shoving match” in the parking lot, but he did not appeared injured. When the witness went back outside, they found him injured and bleeding, Peterson said.
The man, about 60-years old, was transported by Escambia County EMS as a trauma alert to a Pensacola hospital.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information on the incident to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Toll Reinstated On Garcon Point Bridge
June 20, 2021
The $5 toll is back on the Garcon Point Bridge.
The toll had been suspended since the Pensacola Bay Bridge was damaged and closed by runaway barges during Hurricane Sally in September 2020.
Last week, traffic was restored to four lanes on the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
Major Washout Alongside Greenland Road At Pine Barren Creek
June 20, 2021
Floodwaters from Tropical Storm Claudette washed away the shoulders of Greenland Road at Pine Barren Creek Saturday.
The 32-foot steel and concrete culvert, constructed in 1955, is about one-third of a mile east of Highway 97 in Davisville. The roadside on the downstream side of Greenland Road was washed away both east and west of the creek.
After a reader reached out to NorthEscambia.com about the washout, we alerted Escambia County to the situation. There was no word long repairs will take.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rigby Road Bridge In Bratt Closed After Roadway Collapses
June 20, 2021
A bridge in Bratt is closed after a raging creek caused the roadway approach to the bridge to collapse Saturday afternoon.
The bridge on Rigby Road is closed at Beaver Dam Creek until further notice. It is located about a half mile south of West Highway 4 in Bratt (map at bottom of story).
Pictured: Escambia County Public Works closes a bridge on Rigby Road Saturday afternoon after the roadway collapsed. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pickup Truck Found Partially Submerged In Flood Waters Of Pine Barren Creek
June 20, 2021
A pickup truck was found by a passerby partially submerged in a creek near Walnut Hill Saturday afternoon.
The truck was discovered by the bridge in the floodwaters of Pine Barren Creek on a dirt portion of Lambert Bridge Road between North Pine Barren Road and Highway 164. No one was around the truck was it was discovered by the passerby.
It was not clear Saturday night if anyone was injured, how the truck ended up in the creek or if law enforcement had responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flood Warnings For Escambia And Perdido Rivers; Barrineau Park Bridge Submerged
June 20, 2021
Water was over the Barrineau Park Bridge at the state line over the Perdido River Saturday afternoon. Full size trucks were unable to make it across, according to local residents.
Flood warnings continued Sunday morning for the Perdido River near Barrineau Park and the Escambia River at Century. Both were expected to crest just over flood stage. The Perdido River is expected to fall below flood stage Sunday; the Escambia River is not forecast to crest until Monday.
Photo submitted by Tom Dickson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gloria Beasley Gilman
June 20, 2021
Mrs. Gloria Beasley Gilman, 71 of Bratt, FL passed away June 19, 2021, in Pensacola, FL. She was born on October 16, 1949, in Atmore, AL to the late Ray and Priscilla Howell Beasley. Mrs. Gilman was a nurse at Greenlawn Hospital in Atmore for many years and later worked as a private duty nurse before she retired. After retiring, she loved reading her Bible, being involved in all of her grandchildren’s activities and spending time at the camp at Hubbard’s Landing with her family. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Bratt and was a member of the Senior Ladies Sunday School Class.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Robert Gilman; two sons, James (Donna) Gilman and Philip (Heather) Gilman of Bratt, FL; her sister, Raeanne (Jimmy) Long of Loxley, AL; her brother, Ray, Jr. (Penny) Beasley of Robertsdale, AL; four grandchildren, Kyla (Jeff) Furman, Amber Gilman, J.P. Gilman, Jamison Gilman; numerous nieces, nephews and many other loved ones and friends.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the Family Life Center at the First Baptist Church of Bratt with Pastor Josh Long officiating. Burial will follow in Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, FL.
Active pallbearers will be J.P. Gilman, Jeff Furman, Jimmy Long, Sr., Brad Johnson, Ray Beasley, Jr. and Ray Beasley, III.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Senior Ladies Sunday School Class.
Visitation will be held Monday, June 21, 2021, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Chance Of Rain 40% for Sunday, Increasing For Monday
June 20, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Windy conditions possible, a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 81. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Blue Wahoos Sweep Doubleheader Against Montgomery
June 20, 2021
The day began with some of the worst imaginable tropical weather hitting Blue Wahoos Stadium.
It ended 12 hours or so later Saturday night with the Blue Wahoos producing a pair of memorable wins.
Peyton Burdick created first-game euphoria with his two-run, walk-off homer for a 4-2 win against the Montgomery Biscuits, following a strong start by Miami Marlins touted pitching prospect Edward Cabrera.
Jake Eder followed with six-inning shutout and Josh Roberson earned his first save for the Blue Wahoos in a 2-0 win to complete a doubleheader sweep before the fireworks show. Both games were 7-innings, following Friday’s rainout.
The win clinched another series for the Blue Wahoos (26-16), who now have the best record in the Double-A South and have lost just one series this season.
“It’s good to see how we got the goose eggs on the board, playing some defense and pitching, timely hits and game over,” said Blue Wahoos manager Kevin Randel. “We finished up a long day and glad we finished up on top.”
On Juneteenth, now a national holiday, the Blue Wahoos paid homage to the Pensacola Seagulls, a member of the Negro Southern League, which had its final official season 70 years ago in 1951.
The Blue Wahoos players wore the Seagulls uniforms for the second game of the doubleheader. The jerseys were then auctioned for the Southern Youth Sports Association during the game.
All of this, of course, happened after Tropical Storm Claudette caused morning wrath and early afternoon uncertainty. And then, like magic, the nasty weather parted into a colorful sunset.
“Once we started coming in about 10:30 (morning), we realized how bad this thing and we sent out a text (to players) that said don’t come in till about 2 o’clock,” Randel said. “Everything moved out, the field held up, the field looked immaculate after all that rain and we had to strap it on real quick and get going.”
Incredibly, after the storm made landfall early Saturday less than 200 miles west, thus creating a series of rain squalls, high winds and tornado warnings, the sky then broke into late afternoon sunshine in late afternoon and it became a beautiful night at the ballpark.
“We woke up and it was like a hurricane outside. The tarp crew did a great job. Our field is great, it drains great.. When we got that little window (of dry weather), there was no doubt we were going to play.”
Burdick ended the first game in dramatic fashion with his blast on an 0-2 slider over the left field fence The ball traveled 419 feet and so high that the Biscuits left fielder Garrett Whitley never looked up to see it. He just broke into a slow trot off the field.
“We had opportunities before that and I had opportunities myself to tack on a couple extra runs,” Burdick said. “And I hit on top of it and ran into double play (in fifth inning) and kinda screwed us out of a couple runs.”
The Blue Wahoos had the bases-loaded in the sixth inning of the game with none out and came up empty as well when Riley Mahan hit into a double play.
But in the seventh with two out and catcher Jhon Nunes on third base, following his leadoff double and throwing error on a pickoff attempt, Burdick produced the team’s fourth walkoff win.
“We just have a bunch of competitors up there. We all go out there and try not to make the last out,” Burdick said. “It’s been up and down the lineup abd people have been putting together good at bats, so we are never out of it.”
Two years ago, on July 31, 2019, Edward Cabrera was pitching for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp – then the Marlins Double-A affiliate, when he earned a win against the Blue Wahoos.
Saturday, he made his first start for the Blue Wahoos on an expected road to the big leagues. He was projected to be part of the Marlins’ starting rotation this year before an injury in February.
His first pitch Saturday clocked at 100 mph and he finished four innings and a 65-pitch limit with seven strikeouts, one walk and one earned run allowed. Colton Hock got the win in the seventh with a scoreless inning.
“He’s with us building up his pitch count… he threw the ball well, coming in hot,” Randel said. “But I think the story was his changeup. It got him right back in count
In the second game, Bubba Hollins produced a two-run single in the second inning and that held up. Eder worked six innings, allowing just three hits with seven strikeouts. He got out of a two-on, none out jam in the fourth inning, then retired the last batter in the sixth on a base-loaded situation.
In that inning, JJ Bleday made a spectacular diving catch in right field to rob Biscuits’ shortstop Jake Palomaki of a hit.
“(Eder) really had to battle,” Randel said. “His fastball command wasn’t there again. He just grinded out there. We gave him another inning.
“One of those things where he had to just grind it out and figure it out. But it was a good day for him.
by Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos senior writer
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.