Clutch Plays Gets Wahoos To 4th Straight Win

August 24, 2026

They say timing is everything, and that was ever present on Sunday afternoon at Blue Wahoos Stadium. A well timed home run, a big time double play, and a home run robbery at just the right time were all ingredients in the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 4-3 win over the Knoxville Smokies.

The scoring got started in the bottom of the second. After Brandon Compton extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a leadoff double to begin the frame, Ethan O’Donell took Dawson Netz (L, 6-4) deep for his fourth bomb of the year over the left field wall, his second homer in as many days. And while that was happening, Joey Volini (W, 2-2) was cruising, setting down the Smokies down in order in each of the first three innings.

The Wahoos had a major threat in the bottom of the third, loading the bases with nobody out and the meat of their order coming up. Juan Matheus struck out on a ball in the dirt. Brandon Compton was able to bring home a run on a groundout to the pitcher, but Dillon Lewis went down swinging after. Though they were only able to scrape across one run, Pensacola was in a good place leading 3-0.

After retiring the first two batters in the fourth, Voilini blinked for the first time, giving up a solo home run to Miguel Useche, ending his perfect game and shutout. Two innings later, the Smokies would tack on one more with Andy Garriola bringing home a run on a groundout to third and cutting the score to 3-2. Jaydenn Estanista took over after that and ending the 6th inning with the tying run on third.

The bottom of the sixth brought on a very welcome sight, as Brandon Compton led off the inning with his team leading 19th homer of the year, putting the Wahoos up 4-2. The seventh inning, however, brought pressure. After retiring the first batter of the inning, Estanista allowed a first pitch single. He then proceeded to throw 12 straight pitches out of the zone to walk the bases full and eventually walk in a run, making it a 4-3 game. With the bases loaded, only one out, and the go-ahead run standing on second base, Nelson Prada called for Mason Vinyard out of the bullpen (S, 1).

Vinyard had spent his last 22 games at High-A Jacksonville and was making his first appearance for the Wahoos since late May. With no room for error, he got Useche to ground into a 5-4-3 double play, ending the threat and maintaining the lead.

The top of the eighth saw another threat from the Smokies. Andy Garriola led off with a single, which immediately brought the go-ahead run to the plate. Edgar Alvarez, who homered the night before, crushed a fly ball to right that died at the warning track. With one down, Ariel Armas dug in. And Armas hit his ball just a bit further. A ball with home run distance, bound for Pensacola Bay. And then Ethan O’Donnell rose up and snagged it out of the sky, robbing a home run that would’ve put the Smokies up by a run, receiving an ovation from every fan in the stands and every Wahoo on the field. Vinyard then struck Drew Bowser out looking to end the inning.

In the ninth, the tying run got as far as third base, but Alex Ramirez grounded out to third, closing the game out in dramatic fashion. The 4-3 win was the Wahoos fourth straight win, and their 13th win in 15 games. They now sit at a 69-50 overall and 33-17 in the second half while the Smokies fell to 64-55 and 26-24. The magic number to clinch a playoff spot dropped to 14.

The Blue Wahoos have a day off on Monday before heading to Montgomery for their final series against the Biscuits.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FRONT FEATURE, Sports, TOP sports