Alcala Shines, But Blue Wahoos Endure Fourth Walkoff Loss To Barons
July 9, 2019
The Blue Wahoos right now can’t seem to shake heartbreak.
Or new ways to experience it.
The latest unfolded Monday night when Birmingham’s Damek Tomscha, a former Auburn Tigers player, led off the ninth inning with a home run on the first pitch, giving the Barons a 2-1 victory and their fourth walkoff win against the Blue Wahoos in this series at Regions Field in Birmingham.
It added into a fifth straight defeat, all against the Barons, and dropped the Blue Wahoos (9-10 second half) under .500 for the first time in two weeks. The Barons (14-5) have won each game in different ways.
The teams will conclude a six-game series Tuesday in Birmingham, then an off day ensues Wednesday that now seems especially well-timed for the Blue Wahoos. Birmingham won its ninth straight home game and 13 wins overall in the past 15 games.
What did go right Monday for the Blue Wahoos was the longest and arguably the best outing of the season from starting pitcher Jorge Alcala. The Minnesota Twins’ No. 19 rated prospect by MLB Pipeline was sensational in a six inning, four hit, shutout performance against the Barons.
Alcala had worked into the sixth inning just four other times, but never pitched six complete innings. It was only the third time he held an opponent scoreless and the first time he did it since May 13.
His performance included seven strikeouts, no walks. Of the 82 pitches he threw, 57 were for strikes.
Unfortunately for Alcala and his teammates, Birmingham starter Matt Tomshaw, a 30-year-old lefthander, who faced the Blue Wahoos 10 previous times the past seasons while with the Miami Marlins organization, was equally superb.
Tomshaw worked seven complete innings without allowing a run. He scattered six hits. He struck out eight and did not walk a batter.
The Blue Wahoos scored the game’s first run in the eighth inning against reliever Kodi Medeiros (3-8), who wound up as the winning pitcher.
Alex Kirilloff, who finished 3-for-4, led off with a triple in the centerfield gap. Brian Schales followed with a sacrifice fly to center fielder Luis Gonzalez, scoring Kirilloff.
But in the bottom of the eighth, Blue Wahoos reliever Jeff Ames gave up a leadoff single to Joel Booker, who then stole second base and went to third when catcher Brian Navarreto’s attempted put-out throw sailed into center field.
With one out, Luis Gonzalez hit a grounder that briefly handcuffed Kirilloff at first base, allowing Booker to score on the put out.
In the ninth, Joe Cronin drew a one-out walk. He stole second with two out. But Jordan Gore struck out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the ninth, reliever Anthony Vizcaya faced Tomscha as the leadoff batter. Tomscha, who was signed by the Chicago White Sox on June 28, jumped on Vizcaya’s first pitch and lined the ball over the left wall to cause another walkoff celebration by the Barons.
Kirilloff’s three hits in the game raised his batting average to .285. Mark Contreras, Brian Navarreto, Caleb Hamilton and Joe Cronin each had one hit .
Jeff Ames pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Alcala. He got out of a situation in the seventh, following a triple by leadoff batter Ti’Quan Forbes and Tomscha being hit by a pitch.
Ames retired the next three batters in a clutch relief effort.
Deadline Is Monday To Apply For $65K In International Paper Grants
July 9, 2019
International Paper Pensacola Mill will award $65,000 in foundation grants in 2019, and the deadline for grant applications is Monday, July 15.
The International Paper Foundation makes sustainable investments to address critical needs in the communities where employees live and work.
Signature Causes include:
- · Education – Programs focused on helping children succeed via a comprehensive approach to education. Priority is given to literacy programs from birth through 3rd grade.
- · Hunger – Programs dedicated to improving food security throughout our communities.
- · Health & Wellness – Programs that promote healthy living habits.
- · Disaster Relief – Programs that help communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters.
Funding also is available to address environmental initiatives (forests, water and air), employee involvement grants and other critical community needs.
Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or qualifying federal entity to apply for a grant. To be considered, organizations must have a program that addresses critical community needs and have measurable objectives to demonstrate impact. Details on grant eligibility, guidelines and restrictions are available at www.ipgiving.com. Applications will be accepted at www.ipgiving.com until Monday, July 15, 2019.
Pictured: Last year’s IP Giving award winners. File photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Airlifted After Suffering Burn Injuries At International Paper In Cantonment
July 8, 2019
A man was airlifted to the hospital after being burned at International Paper in Cantonment Monday afternoon.
The man was transported to the hospital with serious burn injuries by LifeFlight helicopter following the incident about 3 p.m., according to Hana Frenette, Escambia County spokesperson.
“We are actively working a situation with authorities and unable to provide specific details at this time. As soon as we are able to release information, we will do so in a timely manner,” IP Communications Manager Whitney Fike said.
Further details about exactly what happened have not been released by IP officials.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Three Injured In Nine Mile Road Crash
July 8, 2019
Three people were injured in a two vehicle crash Monday afternoon on Nine Mile Road.
The crash happened about 2 p.m. at the Jernigan Road intersection. One vehicle came to rest against a large high voltage utility pole.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Ferry Pass Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Spokesperson Resigning
July 8, 2019
Another high profile Escambia County employee is resigning.
Escambia County Community and Media Relations Division Manager Joy Tsubooka has submitted her resignation effective in 90 days.
The county says she will not be handling media contacts, but will be working on “special projects” during the 90 day period. Hana Frenette assumed responsibility for working with the media as the county’s spokesperson effective immediately.
New Details Released In Cantonment Stabbing
July 8, 2019
A man was found stabbed late Saturday night in Cantonment, and his girlfriend has been charged with his death.
Ja’Quoia XiaXiana Collins, 24, stabbed her boyfriend in the chest outside the Wild Oak Farms Apartments in the 800 block of North Highway 29 shortly before midnight, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. She is charged with first degree homicide.
Deputies responded to apartments at 11:39 p.m. where her found victim Quartez McShane unresponsive in the roadway near the driver’s side door of a blue Mitsubishi Gallant. He had been stabbed in the chest. McShane was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 12:22 a.m.
Investigators found Collins had made a post to her Facebook account at 11:19 p.m. that stated, “Ladies, NEVERRRR let a Boy put his hands on You cs a Real MAN ain’t Going for it.” That post was later deleted.
Four hours prior to that, she also made a post that stated, “(Vulgarity) Only think you Good for Sex, like (vulgarity) did you Know I knew how to Draw.” And only July 3, she posted “That Would Be My First & LAST Time Entering Escambia County Jail Cs I’m Going DOWN w that fresh Murder charge” when reposting a friend’s comment about speaking bad about someone’s kids.
Deputies obtained video surveillance from the apartment complex that shows McShane’s vehicle arrive. After a period of time, Collins is seen running from McShane’s vehicle toward her residence. At no time does the video show Collins move from her residence to the vehicle, prompting investigators to conclude that she was at McShane’s vehicle at the time of the stabbing.
Collins is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
ECSO: Cantonment Man Hit Neighbor With Shovel In Fence Dispute
July 8, 2019
An dispute between Cantonment neighbors over a fence landed one of them in jail on a felony charge.
Starford Lee Jones, 75, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after allegedly striking his neighbor with a shovel.
The victim told deputies that he was preparing to work on the fence when Jones ran toward him with a shovel in his hand yelling “get away from the fence”. Jones then hit the fence with the shovel before hitting the victim in his upper arm and lower leg, according to arrest report. Deputies documented a small scratch on the victim’s lower leg.
A witness provided deputies with a cell phone video of the incident. Deputies were able to see Jones swing the shovel toward the victim and hit the fence, but they were unable to tell what happened in the physical altercation due to the cell phone video shaking.
Jones stated he saw the victim at the fence, ran toward him with the shovel and hit the fence with the shovel to scare him away, the report states. Jones said the victim hit him and knocked him to the ground.
Jones was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,500 bond.
No Injuries In Mobile Home Kitchen Fire In Century
July 8, 2019
Firefighters responded to a reported kitchen fire in a Century mobile home Sunday evening.
The fire was reported minutes before 7 p.m. in 9500 block of Ivey Street. The cause of the fire was a pot on the stove, and any damage was confined mostly to the kitchen.
There were no injuries reported.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Jay Fire Department, Flomaton Fire Department and Escambia County EMS were dispatched to the incident.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Summer Program Continues At Your Library With ‘Animal Tales’ This Week
July 8, 2019
After taking a week off for Fourth of July, the Summer Ready Program returns this week at the West Florida Library.
This week, the program is Animal Tales with up close and personal experiences with animals in a fun learning environment. The schedule is as follows:
– Tuesday, July 9, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch (held at Big Lagoon Park)
– Tuesday, July 9, 3 p.m. Tryon Branch Library
– Wednesday, July 10, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
– Wednesday, July 10, 3 p.m. – Pensacola Library
– Thursday, July 11, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
– Friday, July 12, 11 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Pictured: Maksat “Maks” Annaev performed in late June at the Century Branch Library as part of the Summer Reading Program. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tree Falls Across Mobile Home Near Flomaton
July 8, 2019
For the second time in 10 days, high winds downed a tree and caused damage near Flomaton.
Sunday evening, a tree fell across a mobile home and power lines were downed on Pecan Grove Lane, according to Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton. There were no injuries reported.
On June 27 a man was trapped under at tree that fell on him as he mowed grass on Pecan Leaf Lane. The tree fell across his legs, and Flomaton firefighters used the Jaws of Life to free him. He refused transport to the hospital. (For photos, click here.)
Pictured: A tree was downed by high winds Sunday on Pecan Grove Lane near Flomaton. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
