Blue Wahoos Fall 5-1 To The Barons In Birmingham
June 12, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos took a 1-0 lead to the bottom of the eighth inning in their game against the Birmingham Barons on Saturday night, but uncharacteristic bullpen struggles cost the club in a 5-1 loss.
Jeff Lindgren tied a career high with 7.0 innings of scoreless work in his start for the Blue Wahoos, his fourth quality start in six Double-A appearances this season.
The Blue Wahoos maintained their 4.0-game lead in the South Division with 13 to play in the first half, as every other team in the division also lost.
Troy Johnston provided Pensacola’s only run-scoring hit of the night with an RBI double in the third against Birmingham starter Emilio Vargas to put the Blue Wahoos up 1-0. Pensacola managed just three hits in the game, and none after the fourth inning as a Barons bullpen effort from Kyle Kubat, Declan Cronin, Garrett Davila (W, 2-0) and Fraser Ellard kept the Blue Wahoos in check.
Birmingham was stymied by Lindgren through seven innings, but pounced on Andrew McInvale (L, 0-1) in the eighth. A leadoff walk to Craig Dedelow was followed by a game-tying RBI triple to Yoelqui Cespedes, who was then brought home on an Alex Destino sacrifice fly to put the Barons up 2-1. Three hits, two walks and a hit batsman followed as the Barons eventually stretched the lead to 5-1.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series and road trip against the Barons on Sunday.
Written by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Blue Wahoos Overcome Early Deficit in Comeback 9-8 Win Over B’ham
June 11, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos were undaunted by an 8-1 deficit in Birmingham on Friday night, scoring eight unanswered runs for a comeback 9-8 win over the Barons.
Josh Simpson (W, 3-0), Dylan Bice and Colton Hock (S, 5) combined for 6.0 innings of one-hit, shutout relief that allowed the offense to chip away at the Barons bullpen.
The Blue Wahoos extended their lead in the South Division by 4.0 games with 14 to play in the first half.
Griffin Conine opened the scoring for Pensacola in the first against Birmingham starter Scott Blewett, grounding an RBI single up the middle for a 1-0 lead. Blue Wahoos starter Bryan Mitchell allowed a two-run double to J.J. Muno in the second before things unraveled in the third inning.
Birmingham scored six runs against Mitchell in the third, though three errors from the Blue Wahoos made five of the runs unearned. The big inning was capped by a three-run homer from Luis Curbelo to put the Barons ahead 8-1.
Luis Aviles Jr. hit a solo homer to lead off the fourth and kick off the comeback effort, and Ray-Patrick Didder hit an RBI triple later in the inning to cut the deficit to 8-3. In the fifth, a two-out throwing error from Barons third baseman D.J. Burt made the score 8-5.
The Blue Wahoos completed the comeback in the sixth, scoring four runs against Taylor Broadway (L, 1-2). Paul McIntosh laced a two-run double to left-center and scored the tying run on a wild pitch before an Aviles sacrifice fly brought home the eventual winning run.
Simpson, Bice and Hock held the lead, facing just one over the minimum over the final four innings.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons on Saturday.
written by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
License-Free Freshwater Fishing This Weekend In Florida
June 10, 2022
Anglers can fish for free in freshwater in Florida this weekend.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said license-free freshwater fishing days provide an excellent opportunity for those new to fishing without needing to first purchase a license. On these days, the fishing license requirement is waived for all recreational anglers, including residents and non-residents. All other rules including seasons, bag and size limits still apply.
Pictured: Fishing at Lake Stone near Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Split Doubleheader With Birmingham
June 10, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos split their modified doubleheader against the Birmingham Barons on Thursday, falling in the completion of Wednesday’s suspended game 5-1 but salvaging the nightcap 8-5.
Troy Johnston, the reigning Southern League Player of the Week, came through with a go-ahead, two-out, three-run homer in the seventh and final frame of game two.
The Blue Wahoos maintained their lead in the South Division by 3.5 games with 15 to play in the first half, pending other games throughout the league.
Game one was picked up in a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth, and Lenyn Sosa hit a solo homer for the Barons in the fourth against Anthony Maldonado (L, 2-3) to set the tone. Birmingham added a run in the fifth on a Raudy Read double, and a pair of runs in the seventh on a Sosa RBI single and passed ball. Sam Peralta (W, 2-3) kept the Blue Wahoos off the board in long relief, and only a ninth-inning homer for Paul McIntosh against Felix Paulino (S, 1) prevented a shutout.
In game two, the Blue Wahoos jumped ahead early against starter Kaleb Roper. José Devers whistled the first pitch of the game for a triple, and Ray-Patrick Didder followed with a two-run homer. After the Barons came back to tie the game against Pensacola starter Zach McCambley, Norel González blasted the Blue Wahoos ahead once more in the third with a three-run homer.
McCambley allowed a two-run homer to Ian Dawkins in the fifth, drawing the game to 5-4, and Eli Villalobos (W, 3-1) allowed an RBI single to Read in the sixth to blow a save and tie the game.
In the top of the seventh and final inning, Devers and Didder reached with two outs against Declan Cronin (L, 1-2) before Johnston drove a 1-2 pitch over the right-center wall for a go-ahead three-run homer. Villalobos worked a quiet bottom of the inning to lock down the win.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons on Friday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Escambia Boat Registration Fees Increasing By 50%, But You Can Renew Now And Save
June 9, 2022
Boat registration fees in Escambia County will increase by half in a few weeks, but there’s time to renew now and save a little money.
In March, the Escambia County Commission approved an additional registration fee equal to 50% of what is currently charged by the state. The increase won’t be significant. For example, the fee will increase by $2.75 for vessels under 12 feet, $8.13 for a boat 12-16 feet, and $14.38 for 16-26 feet.
Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford said boaters can renew their registration now for up to years and avoid the increase that goes into effect July 1.
Escambia County will use the increased revenue for its Marine Resources division for derelict vessel and debris renewal, cleanup of waterways and other projects that affect the health and accessibility of local marine, freshwater and coastal resources.
File photo.
Rain Halts Scoreless Game Between Wahoos And Barons In Birmingham
June 9, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Birmingham Barons played to a scoreless tie through three innings on Wednesday before rain forced the suspension of play.
Wednesday’s game will pick up on Thursday at 4:30 in the top of the fourth inning, with a 7-inning game to follow approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the suspended game.
Eury Pérez and Emilio Vargas traded zeroes through three innings, with only one hit for each team. Pérez struck out two batters and did not walk a batter, needing only 34 pitches to work 3.0 frames.
The Blue Wahoos lead the South Division by 3.5 games with 17 to play in the first half, pending other games throughout the league.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons on Thursday with a modified doubleheader.
Wahoos Coast To 10-1 Over Birmingham
June 8, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won their fourth in a row on Tuesday night, opening up their six-game series against the Birmingham Barons with a blowout 10-1 victory.
A.J. Ladwig (W, 1-1) delivered a quality start for his first win in the Marlins organization, allowing only an unearned run over 6.0 solid innings.
The Blue Wahoos maintained their lead in the South Division by 3.5 games with 17 to play in the first half, pending other games throughout the league.
Ray-Patrick Didder opened up the scoring in the second with a solo homer, and Luis Aviles Jr. made Birmingham starter Jason Bilous (L, 3-5) pay for three walks in the third with a three-run homer of his own.
Troy Johnston and Paul McIntosh twice went back-to-back with RBI doubles in the fourth and sixth innings. Johnston, the reigning Southern League Player of the Week, finished 2-for-4 and McIntosh was 4-for-5 with 4 runs batted in.
Andrew McInvale and Josh Simpson relieved Ladwig with the game well in hand, facing the minimum over the final three frames to coast to victory.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons on Wednesday
Register Now For Tate Cheerleaders’ Lil Aggies Summer Camp
June 7, 2022
The Tate High School Cheerleaders’ Lil Aggies Summer Camp is coming up the last week of the month, and now is the time to register. Space is limited.
The registration forms and payment are due by Thursday, June 23. The camp will take place at Tate Monday, June 27 through Wednesday, June 29 from 8 a.m. until noon each day. The camp Tate Aggies cheerleaders will teach athletes the property stretch techniques, sideline cheers and chants, proper jump techniques and motion placement, as well as stunting and tumbling skill building. There will also be fun games, engaging activities, snacks and drinks.
For registration information, click or tap here.
File photo.
Wahoos Win With Another Wild Walk-Off
June 6, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos walked off the Biloxi Shuckers for the third night in a row on Sunday, winning 7-6 thanks to four consecutive hit batsmen to end the game.
Trailing 6-4 going to the bottom of the ninth, the Blue Wahoos needed to put only one ball in play against Harold Chirino (L, 1-1) as Troy Johnston reached on an error, Griffin Conine drew a walk, and Luis Aviles Jr., Ray-Patrick Didder, Cobie Fletcher-Vance and Bubba Hollins were each plunked.
The Blue Wahoos took five of six from the Shuckers, four in walk-off fashion, and now lead the South Division by 3.5 games with 18 to play in the first half.
Pensacola starter Cody Mincey allowed a pair of two-run homers to Sal Frelick and Felix Valerio to put the Blue Wahoos in an early hole. J.D. Orr was an early offensive bright spot, walking and scoring from second on a wild pitch in the third and singling and scoring on an error in the fifth.
Trailing 6-2 in the seventh, Aviles Jr. brought home a run with a two-out RBI single, Pensacola’s only run-scoring hit of the game. Orr drove in another run in the eighth with an RBI groundout, and Dylan Bice (W, 1-0) worked a quiet ninth to keep the game 6-4.
Chirino threw 21 pitches, only nine for strikes, and hit the final four batters of the ballgame to send the Blue Wahoos to their third walk-off win in a row.
After an off day on Monday, the Blue Wahoos embark on a six-game road trip to Birmingham on Tuesday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Wahoos Get Another Walk-off Win Over The Shuckers
June 5, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos rallied for four runs in the ninth inning to defeat the Biloxi Shuckers 8-7 on Saturday night, securing their third walk-off win in their past five games and extending their division lead.
Troy Johnston hit a pair of home runs, including a game-tying two-run blast in the ninth, and Luis Aviles Jr. sent a sellout crowd home happy with the walk-off sacrifice fly three batters later.
Johnston is batting .700 (14-for-20) with four home runs in his past five games against Biloxi this week, and is batting a blazing .553 (26-for-47) through the first 11 games of Pensacola’s homestand.
Pensacola starter Jeff Lindgren delivered a quality start, allowing two runs on four hits over 6.0 innings despite a career-high five walks. Thomas Dillard opened the scoring with an RBI double in the first, but Johnston leveled things up with a solo homer to left field in the bottom half of the inning.
Yeison Coca hit a solo homer from Biloxi in the fourth, his first of the year, but again the Blue Wahoos evened the score in the bottom half of the inning with a Ray-Patrick Didder solo homer. Paul McIntosh hit a solo homer of his own in the sixth to give the Blue Wahoos a 3-2 lead before Jason Lopez went deep for Biloxi in the seventh to tie the game 3-3.
Jefry Yan struggled in relief for the Blue Wahoos, allowing a go-ahead two-run double to Yeison Coca in the top of the eighth and a two-run single to Dillard in the ninth, but Colton Hock (W, 4-2) stranded two more baserunners to prevent further damage.
The Blue Wahoos scored an unearned run in the eighth against Taylor Floyd (L, 0-1), but needed three to tie in the ninth trailing 7-4. J.D. Orr started the rally with an infield single, and José Devers brought the tying run to the plate with an RBI triple. Johnston then unloaded a 3-2 pitch into the right-center berm for his second homer of the night to tie the game 7-7. Griffin Conine walked, McIntosh sent a double to the warning track in right center to bring the winning run to third, and Aviles hit a deep fly to center field to bring home Conine and end the game.
With the win, Pensacola’s lead in the South Division has grown to 2.5 games over the Shuckers and M-Braves with 19 to play in the first half.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their homestand against the Biloxi Shuckers on Sunday.
written by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos