Wahoos Even BayBear Series 8-5 With 11th Inning Win
June 15, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos got another huge night offensively from Ross Perez and a three-hit game from Devin Lohman to beat the Mobile BayBears 8-5 at Hank Aaron Stadium on Saturday night.
It was the second night that hundreds of Blue Wahoos fans traveled across the bay courtesy of the Blue Wahoos organization to see the team on the road. In all, more than 800 Blue Wahoos fans made the trip to Mobile to watch the Blue Wahoos over the last two nights, many of them opting to take advantage of the provided round-trip bus transportation.
Pensacola had to play catch up, coming back from two-run and three-run deficits late in the game. Lohman tied the game in the ninth inning with a two-run home run to force extra innings. In the 11th inning, Lohman led off with a single and scored later on an RBI double from Steve Selsky. Perez put the game out of reach with a two-run home run to make it 8-5.
Both Lohman and Perez had identical 3-for-6 games with two runs scored and two RBI. Rey Navarro went 1-for-5 to extend his on-base streak to 22 games, the longest streak by a Wahoo this season.
On the mound, Mikey O’Brien started and went 6.0 innings allowing 2 R/ER with a walk and five strikeouts. Carlos Contreras (W, 2-1) pitched well late in the game for Pensacola. He earned the win with three shutout innings and five strikeouts. James Walczak (S, 4) got the save by holding the BayBears scoreless in the bottom of the 11th. BayBears backup catcher Steve Rodriguez (L, 0-1) took the loss. Making his first professional appearance on the mound, Rodriguez allowed all three Wahoos runs in the 11th inning.
Pensacola can win the series with a win Sunday to close out the first half. RHP Michael Lorenzen (4-4, 2.41) will get the start for the Wahoos against BayBears RHP Charles Brewer (2-1, 2.32). First pitch is set for 2:05 p.m. from Hank Aaron Stadium.
by Tommy Thrall
Four Run Fourth Powers Mobile Over The Pensacola Blue Wahoos
June 13, 2014
The Mobile BayBears scored four runs in the fourth inning to put the Wahoos away on their way to a 6-3 win in the second game of the five-game set between the cross-bay rivals.
Wahoos starter Jon Moscot (L, 4-5) ran into some tough luck as the BayBears took advantage of an error, an infield single, a broken bat single and even a double from the pitcher to plate four runs and overcome a 3-2 Wahoo advantage. Mobile went in front 6-3, and both teams were held scoreless the rest of the way.
Moscot made it through five innings and was charged with 6 R/4 ER with a walk and four strikeouts and ended up as the tough-luck loser for the Wahoos.
Wahoos catcher Ross Perez hand another strong outing against his former team going 1-for-3 with a run scored and throwing out two Mobile base stealers. Three Blue Wahoos relievers, James Walczak, Lee Hyde and Justin Freeman combined to work three scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Rey Navarro got the offense started with a solo home run in the first inning, his ninth of the year.
BayBears starter, Mike Lee (W, 4-3), logged 6.0 innings and allowed 3 R/1 ER with four walks and four strikeouts on his way to his fourth win of the year. Jake Barrett (S, 12) worked a scoreless ninth inning to earn his second straight save against Pensacola.
After a shakeup in the rotation, the Wahoos turn to RHP Robert Stephenson (3-5, 3.49) to get back in the win column as they play first half spoiler against Mobile. The BayBears have a three-game lead on the Southern League South Division with only three games remaining. The BayBears will start RHP Bradin Hagens (5-2, 3.25). First pitch is set for 7:05 from Hank Aaron Stadium.
The Blue Wahoos open play on the second half of the season at home against the Huntsville Stars on Thursday, June 19.
by Tommy Thrall
Northview, Tate Split Summer Baseball Games
June 12, 2014
The Northview Chiefs and Tate Aggies split summer baseball games Wednesday.
The Tate “B” team beat Northview 11-5 in the first game. In the second game, Northview defeated Tate’s “B” team 7-2.
The Tate “B” team will host Auburn (AL) High School on Monday, and the Tate “A” team will also host Auburn on Tuesday. Both games are at 4 p.m.
BayBears Beat Wahoos 5-3
June 12, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (29-37) fell to the Mobile BayBears (40-25), 5-3, in the first game of the series at Hank Aaron Stadium. The BayBears are the first team in the Southern League South Division to hit the 40-win mark in 2014. Pensacola outhit Mobile 10 hits to seven, but failed to win their third straight game.
RHP Daniel Corcino took the loss, lasting 5.0 innings for the Wahoos. Corcino struck out seven batters on the game, which was his second-highest total of the season. LHP Fabian Williamson pitched well in relief. He went 2.0 innings without allowing a hit and struck out three BayBear batters
The Wahoos answered the BayBears early after Mobile took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Ross Perez hit a solo shot to right field in his first at-bat against his former team. Devin Lohman added an RBI sacrifice fly in the inning and Josh Fellhauer nailed a two-out RBI single up the middle to give the Wahoos the lead. Juan Duran smashed the ball all game long; the left fielder ended the day 3-for-4 with three hard hit singles.
RHP Justin Fitzgerald stayed perfect on the year and earned his sixth win for the BayBears. Fitzgerald scattered nine hits over 6.1 innings and gave up 3 R/ER. The right-hander gave up just four hits over his final 4.1 innings of work in the contest. Jake Barrett earned a four-out save for the BayBears, his 11th of the season.
Third baseman Jake Lamb continued his incredible first half with an RBI double in the first inning to give the BayBears a quick 2-0 lead. Lamb provided the big blow in the fourth inning with a bases loaded two-RBI single.
The Wahoos will send RHP Robert Stephenson (3-5, 3.49) to the mound Thursday with just four games remaining in the first half of the season. The BayBears will counter with RHP Mike Lee (3-3, 4.16). First pitch is set for 7:05 from Hank Aaron Stadium.
Wahoos Sweep Doubleheader Over The Montgomery Biscuits
June 10, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (29-36) swept the doubleheader over the Montgomery Biscuits (31-34) in the final two games of the series at Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium. The Wahoos scored a combined 15 runs in the final two games to blow out the Biscuits. Pensacola won four games in the five-game set with Montgomery and are 6-2 over their last eight games played.
The Wahoos took game one, 6-2, behind solid pitching from RHP Mikey O’Brien. O’Brien went 5.0 innings in his third win of the season and allowed two runs on nine hits. LHP Lee Hyde worked his first inning of relief for the Wahoos on the season. He gave up a hit and a walk, but didn’t allow a run to score.
Juan Duran led Pensacola at the plate. The right fielder went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and three RBI. Rey Navarro capped off the victory with a solo shot in the 5th inning to give the Wahoos a 6-2 lead. It was the All-Star’s eighth home run on the season.
RHP Roberto Gomez fell for the fourth time this season with Montgomery. He allowed four runs on five hits through 4.0 innings of work.
The Wahoos dominated in game two and defeated the Biscuits 9-2 behind a great start from RHP Michael Lorenzen. The righty allowed just three hits in 5.0 innings and struck out three batters. RHP Drew Hayes had a scoreless inning in relief while striking out two Biscuit batters.
Steve Selsky hit his first home run of the season and added an RBI double in the fifth. Devin Lohman matched Duran’s day at the plate from game one with three RBI. Five different batters had multi-hit games for the Wahoos and three different players had multiple RBI in game two. Since the Wahoos scored at least five runs in both games, fans can use promo code WAHOOS at PapaJohns.com for 50% off their online order on Tuesday.
RHP Mike Colla fell for the eighth time this season. Colla went 4.1 innings and gave up 7 R/6ER to the Wahoos.
The Wahoos are off Tuesday and head to Mobile for their final five-game set before the All-Star break on Wednesday. RHP Daniel Corcino (6-4, 3.13) will start the series opener for the Wahoos. RHP Justin Fitzgerald (3.71, 5-0) is set to make the start for the BayBears.
Wahoos Washed Out Again
June 9, 2014
Due to heavy rain prior to Sunday’s schedule first pitch, the umpires ruled the field at Riverwalk Stadium unplayable. The Blue Wahoos and the Biscuits will make up the postponement as part of a Monday doubleheader beginning at 11:05 a.m.
The twin-bill will consist of two seven-inning games with roughly a half-hour break between the two contests.
The Blue Wahoos will send RHP Mikey O’Brien (2-3, 4.43) to the mound in game one followed by RHP Michael Lorenzen (3-4, 2.59) in game two. The Biscuits will counter with RHP Roberto Gomez (1-3, 6.00) and RHP Mike Colla (2-7, 5.51).
The Blue Wahoos are on the first leg of a 10-game, 11-day road trip before the Southern League All-Star Break June 16-18. The Blue Wahoos open play on the second half of the season at home against the Huntsville Stars on Thursday, June 19.
Wahoos, Biscuits Split Doubleheader
June 8, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos split their doubleheader with the Montgomery Biscuits on Saturday night at Riverwalk stadium in Montgomery. The Wahoos overcame a late 3-1 deficit to win the first game 4-3, before falling short behind a tremendous start from Jon Mostcot, 1-0, in the second game.
Brodie Greene led the Wahoos offense in game one by going 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Greene provided an RBI single in the top of the seventh to pull the Blue Wahoos within one, before Rey Navarro doubled home two, giving Pensacola a 4-3 lead. Justin Freeman (S, 1) slammed the door shut in the bottom of the seventh to secure the win.
Robert Stephenson (W, 3-5) started for Pensacola, he allowed 3 R/ER over 6.0 innings and walked three and struck out three to earn his third win of the year. Andrew Bellatti (L, 1-4) was charged with two of the three ninth inning runs out of the bullpen. He suffered his fourth loss of the year and his first blown save of the season.
In the second game both starting pitchers matched each other all game long. Moscot (L, 4-4) had just one blemish, despite allowing just two hits and facing only one batter over the minimum. He surrendered a solo home run to Taylor Motter, just actived before the game from the disabled list, in the fifth inning. The homer snapped string of 11 straight batters retired by the Blue Wahoos starter. He retired 17-of-19 he faced for the game.
Offensively, Pensacola was unable to mount a threat against Dylan Floro (W, 6-5). The Blue Wahoos scattered their three hits and never got a runner past second base. Floro earned his sixth win of the year. Moscot was the hard-luck loser despite allowing just two baserunners all game to go with four strikeouts.
The series continues with the fourth of five games Sunday evening. The Blue Wahoos send RHP Mikey O’Brien (2-3, 4.43) to the mound against Biscuits RHP Roberto Gomez (1-3, 6.00). First pitch is set for 5:35 from Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery.
by Tommy Thrall
Wahoos Rained Out In Montgomery
June 7, 2014
The Blue Wahoos and the Montgomery Biscuits were rained out Friday night at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery. The two teams will make up Friday’s postponement as part of a Saturday doubleheader beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The twin-bill will consist of two seven-inning games with roughly a half-hour break between the two contests.
The Blue Wahoos will send RHP Robert Stephenson (2-5, 3.39) to the mound in game one followed by RHP Jon Moscot (4-3, 2.33) in game two. The Biscuits will counter with RHP Victor Mateo (7-4, 3.93) and RHP Dylan Floro (5-5, 3.74).
The Blue Wahoos are on the first leg of a 10-game, 11-day road trip before the Southern League All-Star Break June 16-18. The Blue Wahoos open play on the second half of the season at home against the Huntsville Stars on Thursday, June 19.
by Tommy Thrall
Wahoos Beat Biscuits 13-2
June 6, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos cruised to an easy 13-2 win over the Montgomery Biscuits Thursday night at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery, Ala. It marked the fourth time in six games the Wahoos have scored five or more runs. Juan Duran blasted a pair of homers while Ray Chang matched a career high with four RBI as part of a 3-for-5 game to pace the offense behind starter Daniel Corcino, who allowed just one run over six innings in his sixth win of the year.
Already up by two, the Wahoos blew the game open with a four-run third, one of two four-run innings in the game. Ray Chang doubled home two before Josh Fellhauer singled home two more a batter later. A pair of two-run homers from Travis Mattair and Duran extended the lead to 11-0 in the sixth inning. Duran struck again with his second dinger of the game in the eighth, when he went back-to-back with Juan Silverio to cap the scoring at 13.
Corcino had one of his better starts of the season, allowing just one run over 6.0 innings with just one walk and five strikeouts. Carlos Contreras made his first appearance since going on the disabled list in late April. He allowed just a double over one inning with a couple of strikeouts.
Chang’s four RBI marked just the second time in his career he had done that. The last time was in August of 2009 when he was playing for the Altoona Curve in the Eastern League.
Pensacola looks to carry the offensive momentum into the second game of the five-game set when RHP Robert Stephenson (2-5, 3.39) goes to the mound against Biscuits RHP Victor Mateo (7-4, 3.93). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. from Riverwalk Stadium.
by Tommy Thrall
Wahoos Takes Series Against Jacksonville Suns With 7-3 Win
June 5, 2014
Michael Lorenzen, Rey Navarro and Steve Selsky turned in All-Star performances for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Wednesday. Lorenzen shut out the Jacksonville Suns for five innings. Navarro doubled and tripled and scored two runs. And Selsky came through with a pinch-hit single that drove in a run.
Their play and other contributions led Pensacola to a, 7-3, victory over Jacksonville and helped them capture the five-game homestand, 3-2.
“I definitely feel blessed and praise God for it,” said Lorenzen, who about this time last year was drafted by the parent club Cincinnati Reds in the first round. “I feel I’ve gotten this far by a lot of humility and listening.”
He also added it’s no surprise to him that the Wahoos put three of their five starters on the All-Star team.
“Deep down inside we are all very competitive and it makes us better,” Lorenzen said. “We’re always helping each other.”
It’s Navarro’s fourth selection as a league’s All-Star. Last night, the shortstop’s two hits extended his hitting streak to six games and his on-base streak to 13 games. He leads the team with 29 RBI and has launched seven homers.
“I’m excited,” Navarro said about playing in the All-Star game Tuesday, June 17 in Chattanooga, Tenn. “I knew I was having a good year but I didn’t expect it.”
Meanwhile, Selsky extended his hitting streak to eight games and is now 9-for-20 or .450 in that span. He’s hitting .306 this season.
Stephenson, the No. 1 pick in 2011 and Cincinnati’s top prospect, was an All-Star selection for the second year in a row. He is allowing opposing batters to hit just .206 off him, fifth in the Southern League.
“It’s pretty cool,” Stephenson said. “You never know what to expect but we knew our rotation was pretty impressive at the beginning of the year.”
by Tommy Thrall
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Suns 7-3 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium Wednesday. Photos by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
