Bizarre Play Helps Jacksonville Down Pensacola’s Blue Wahoos
July 1, 2014
Pensacola Blue Wahoos catcher and clean up hitter Ross Perez hit .356 in June. Lead off hitter Yorman Rodriguez is batting .356 in the past 12 games.
And the five position players called up from High-A Bakersfield after the June 17 Southern League All-Star break (Kyle Waldrop, Seth Mejias-Brean, Marquez Smith, Jesse Winker and Ryan Wright) were a combined 10 for 22, a .454 clip Monday night.
“Our offense this year in my mind has played good,” Wahoos manager DeShields said. “We’ve scored runs and at one point we were hitting the highest in the league. Those things don’t go together. We’ve played a lot better than our record.”
Still, despite collecting 16 hits and six runs the Wahoos dropped their second straight game to the Jacksonville Suns Monday night, losing 8-6.
One could only wonder what would have happened, if not for a bizzare ruling by the umpire crew in the sixth inning.
Wahoos pinch hitter Juan Duran hit a rocket in the air that appeared to glance off pitcher Jay Rogers’ ankle and ricochet into Jacksonville third baseman Terrence Dayleg’s glove – never touching the ground. Dayleg threw Duran out at first to complete the play and Pensacola’s Jesse Winker scored from third, cutting the Jacksonville lead, 8-4. Third base umpire J.J. January ruled Penacola’s Ryan Wright safe at third and the play was dead.
But then the umpires reconvened and homeplate umpire Matt Pridemore, who was filling in for Jeremy Riggs who suffered a concussion Sunday from a foul ball off his mask, decided instead that Dayleg caught the ball in the air. So, he called Winker out after the Suns threw the ball to third base during the umpires’ discussion. The over turning of the call from a run scored and two out to a double play that took a Wahoos run off the scoreboard, ended the inning and stopping Pensacola from adding one run or more. Jacksonville remained ahead, 8-3.
DeShields was thrown out of the game for arguing the reversed call and threw his helmet on the ground in anger. He was still seething after the game and said he had never seen a call like it before.
“I don’t get real aggravated most of the time but I had had enough,” he explained. “It was a messed up play.”
DeShields argued the play was dead and the Pensacola runners should have been allowed to return to second and third base with two out.
Perez called the umpire’s over ruling “really weird.”
“That was a big situation for us,” said Perez, who scored two runs, doubled and knocked in a run. “If the ball goes through there two runs could have scored. I think we’ll be good at the end of the season.”
Perez said he is more confident than ever at bat and credits his coaches after his hot-hitting June.
“I’ve never felt like I’m feeling right now,” he said. “I’m very comfortable at home plate. When you work hard good things come out.”
The third game of the five-game series with Miami Marlins Double-A affiliate the Jacksonville Suns gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. RHP Michael Lorenzen (4-4, 2.63) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Suns LHP Justin Nicolino (7-2, 3.07).
by Tommy Thrall
Jacksonville Takes Opener 12-6 Over The Blue Wahoos
June 30, 2014
On Sunday at the Pensacola Blue Wahoos baseball game, fans had lots of fun for the first five innings.
Ryan Wright hit his first Double-A home run, which cleared the left field fence and put Pensacola ahead, 6-5, in the bottom of the fifth inning. It was also the second baseman’s first hit at home, after going hitless during his first five-game homestand at Pensacola. However, he’s hitting .300 (6-20) since then.
However, in Jacksonville’s very next at bat the Suns scored six runs off three Blue Wahoos pitchers to go ahead, 11-6, on their way to a 12-6 victory in the opener of a five-game series at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. Alfredo Silverio led off the big inning for the Suns with a home run.
The big hitter Sunday, though, for Pensacola was first baseman Marquez Smith. Smith hit a two-run home run, doubled in another run and walked in four at bats. It was Smith’s first home run this season, too, in a Blue Wahoos uniform after getting called up from High-A Bakersfield.
Smith said the homer to deep right center felt good after starting his stint with two hits in his first 18 at bats.
“It’s definitely good to get on the right track,” Smith said. “I was glad today to get some hits.”
Delino DeShields said that he would like to get the same production from Smith that Bakersfield got in the first half of the season. There Smith hit .298 with 15 homers and 67 RBI in 68 games.
“I’m hoping he will produce for us while he’s here,” DeShields said. “He is an older player. It gets tougher when you get older.”
The 29-year-old Smith was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2007 out of Clemson University and has played 737 games in the minors, including 2,615 at bats. He also has played 14 games in the Major Leagues, including 13 with the Cubs in 2011.
“I’ve been doing it for a long time and been lucky enough to still have a jersey on my back,” said Smith, who was born in Panama City down the coast from Pensacola. “I’m still having fun playing the game, so you can’t beat that.”
The second game of the five-game series with Miami Marlins Double-A affiliate the Jacksonville Suns gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Monday. RHP Jon Moscot (4-6, 2.83) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Suns RHP Jay Rogers (2-2, 4.81).
by Tommy Thrall
Wahoos Finish Road Trip With 3-1 Win Over The Lookouts
June 29, 2014
The Blue Wahoos score two in the 9th, defeat Lookouts 3-1 in series finale
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won the final game of the their five-game road trip, 3-1, over the Chattanooga Lookouts. Kyle Waldrop’s two-RBI double in the top of the ninth inning gave the Wahoos their second victory of the series.
RHP Ben Lively pitched well in his second start for the Wahoos; he went 5.2 innings, allowing no runs on three hits while striking out five batters. Lively did walk three batters, but he left the contest with a 1-0 lead. RHP Carlos Gonzalez allowed a run in the bottom of the eighth inning on an Alberto Rosario pinch-hit single, which tied the game for the Lookouts.
With two outs in the top of the ninth, Brodie Greene reached base on a throwing error by Lookouts third baseman Daniel Mayora, which opened the door for the Wahoos. Yorman Rodriguez walked and Waldrop cleared the bases with his double to right field. Waldrop finished the day 2-for-5 with all three of the Wahoos’ RBI.
Gonzalez earned the win for Pensacola after Shane Dyer pitched a perfect bottom of the ninth to earn his seventh save of the season. RHP Juan Ramon Noriega took the loss for the Lookouts despite giving not giving up an earned run.
The Wahoos return home on Sunday to open a five-game homestand against the Jacksonville Suns.
by Joey Truncale
Lookouts Lock Up Series With 7-3 Win Over The Blue Wahoos
June 28, 2014
The Blue Wahoos scored first with a run in the third, but the Lookouts delivered a three-run counter punch in the bottom of the inning and never looked back on their way to a 7-3 win Friday night at AT&T Field. The win assures a series win for Chattanooga.
Pensacola loaded the bases with nobody out in the first inning and didn’t score and loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth inning and came up empty. The Blue Wahoos left a total of 13 runners on base for the game. Already leading 4-1, Chattanooga put the game away with a pair of run in the seventh inning with a passed ball and RBI double.
Robert Stephenson took the loss after allowing 4 R/ER over 5.0 innings. He struck out five and walked two. He allowed five hits, three went for extra bases.
Lookouts starter Andres Santiago picked up the win after allowing just 1 R/ER over 5.0 innings with one walk and five strikeouts. Blake Smith earned the save after recording the final four outs for the Lookouts.
Ryan Wright was one of the bright spots for the Blue Wahoos offensively. He went 2-for-4 with an RBI. It was his second multi-hit game of the series. Ross Perez (2-for-5) and Kyle Waldrop (2-for-4) both had multi-hit games as well for the Blue Wahoos.
Pensacola will try to salvage the final game of the series on Saturday night. RHP Ben Lively will make his second start for the Blue Wahoos (0-1, 7.36) against Lookouts RHP Rayden Sanchez (1-4, 5.97). First pitch is set for 6:15 p.m. (CT) before the team returns home to open a five-game homestand against the Jacksonville Suns on Sunday afternoon.
by Tommy Thrall
Wahoos Edge The Chattanooga Lookouts
June 27, 2014
The Blue Wahoos used a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the top of the 11th to beat the Chattanooga Lookouts on Thursday night and snap a three-game losing streak. Yorman Rodriguez sent the game into extra innings when he threw out J.C. Boscan trying to score from second on a base hit in the ninth inning. Rodriguez threw a strike to home plate and Ross Perez tagged out Boscan to send the game to extras.
Rodriguez had a good game at the plate too. He extended his hit-streak to nine games with a single in his first at bat. He singled again and scored in the third. He finished 2-for-5 with a run scored. Brodie Greene (2-for-5, RBI) and Seth Mejias-Brean (2-for-5, R) also helped the cause with two-hit games.
The Blue Wahoos used some good pitching beginning with Michael Lorenzen. He took a no-decision despite working 6.0 innings and allowing just 2 R/ER on six hits with four strikeouts. Four Blue Wahoos relievers backed him up with five combined innings of scoreless ball out of the bullpen. James Walczak (W, 2-3) picked up the win with 2.0 innings shutout innings despite allowing two hits and three walks. Shane Dyer (S, 6) got a save with a scoreless 11th inning.
Lookouts starter and Dodger prospect Chris Reed matched Lorenzen over 6.0 innings. He was charged with 2 R/1 ER on four hits with two walks and five strikeouts in the no-decision. Mike Thomas (L, 2-2) took the loss. He allowed a hit with three walks to force in the eventual winning run in the 11th inning.
Pensacola can even the series with a win on Friday night at AT&T Field. RHP Robert Stephenson (3-5, 3.97) will start for the Blue Wahoos against Lookouts RHP Andres Santiago (1-1, 5.60). First pitch is set for 6:15 p.m. (CT) in Chattanooga.
by Tommy Thrall
Lookouts Beat Wahoos 4-3
June 26, 2014
The Lookouts scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to walk off with a 4-3 win over Pensacola Wednesday afternoon at AT&T Field in Chattanooga. The Blue Wahoos took a 3-2 lead on Juan Duran’s solo home run in the eighth inning, but it wasn’t enough. The Lookouts have now won the first two games of the five-game set.
Yorman Rodriguez continued his hot hitting with a 2-for-4 game including an RBI single in the third to extend his hitting streak to eight games. He later scored the go-ahead run in the inning to put Pensacola in front 2-1. Duran also had a nice afternoon with a 2-for-4 game.
Jon Moscot started for the Blue Wahoos and went 6.0 innings allowing just 2 R/ER on nine hits. He walked just one and struck out four. Elvin Ramirez (L, 0-2) faced five batters in the ninth inning and retired just one before the Lookouts scored the winning run to take the loss. It was his second blown save of the year.
Matt Shelton made his longest start of the season going 5.1 innings. He was charged with 2 R/ER on two walks, four hits and four strikeouts. He also got a no-decision. Despite allowing the go-ahead home run from Duran in the eighth, Robert Carson picked up the win after pitching the final two innings.
Pensacola will try to bounce back on Thursday night with RHP Michael Lorenzen (4-4, 2.61) heading to the mound against LHP Chris Reed (4-5, 3.00). First pitch is slated for 6:15 p.m. (CT) from AT&T Field in Chattanooga.
by Tommy Thrall
Northview Quarterback Club Hosting Softball Tourament
June 25, 2014
The Northview High School Quarterback Club will host a softball tournament August 2 at Showalter Park in Century from 8 a.m. until. The cost is $150 per team. Proceeds will go to support the Northview Chiefs football program.
Lookouts Outslug Wahoos
June 25, 2014
The Chattanooga Lookouts jumped out to a seven run lead through the first three innings, and the Wahoos couldn’t catch up. Pensacola rallied multiple times and came as close as a run, but the Lookouts prevailed 14-10 in the series opener at AT&T Field.
Yorman Rodriguez set the tone offensively for Pensacola with a 3-for-4 game including a grand slam and five RBI but it wasn’t enough. His blast capped a five-run fourth inning which helped Pensacola make an 8-1 deficit, 8-6. But, as they did all game, Chattanooga responded to keep the Wahoos at arm’s length.
Four Blue Wahoos pitchers combined to allow the 14 Lookouts runs, and all were earned. Daniel Corcino (L, 7-6) started it, and he was charged with 8 R/ER on just four hits with four walks over 3.0 innings. He took the loss, his sixth of the year.
The ball was carrying well all night for both teams. They combined to hit five home runs in the game. Two of the Lookouts blasts were three-run shots and one was a two-run homer. For the Wahoos Rodriguez had the grand slam and Seth Mejias-Brean launched a solo shot, his first with the Wahoos.
Chattanooga’s starter Nick Struck struggled on the mound as well. He was charged with 6 R/ER on eight hits over 4.0 innings in a no-decision. Juan Noriega (W, 4-4) earned the win with two innings in relief, despite allowing a pair of runs.
Pensacola will look to get even in the series on Wednesday. The Blue Wahoos will send RHP Jon Moscot (4-6, 2.82) to the mound against Lookouts RHP Matt Shelton (2-1, 3.67). First pitch is set for 10:15 a.m. (CT) from AT&T Field in Chattanooga.
by Tommy Thrall
Lively Makes Debut As Huntsville Beats Wahoos 6-2 To Take Series
June 24, 2014
The highly anticipated pitching debut of Gulf Breeze High School pitcher Ben Lively for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos finally took place in front of an electric sellout crowd on Monday night.
The crowd oohed and ahhed at his strikeouts. They loudly booed the home plate umpire on what looked like a full-count, third strike to Huntsville’s Nick Ramirez that would have ended the third inning with no runs, instead of two. And when Lively walked off the mound trailing Huntsville 3-0 with two outs in the third inning after striking out eight – a record for a Blue Wahoos pitcher in his debut – the hometown fans gave their hometown prospect a standing ovation.
In the end, however, the Huntsville Stars captured the five-game series to open the second half of the season, 3-2, with a 6-2 victory.
The 22-year-old Lively was making a regular start for the first time in 16 days. Before getting called up to Pensacola from High-A Bakersfield with seven other players, Lively did throw the first two innings in the California League vs. Carolina League All-Star game, where he struck out two and got the win.
Despite the pressure and long layoff, he allowed only five of the 19 batters he faced to put the ball in play. However, he walked a season-high five batters, hit a batter and allowed three earned runs. He threw 97 pitches total, including 53 strikes.
Lively said he was grateful for the hometown fans support and ovation when he left the game.
“I kind of got goose bumps,” he said. “I’m just glad everyone has confidence in me. A little bad outing is not going to stop me.”
Wahoos manager Delino DeShields said after all the buildup to Lively’s start the past week, he wished his first start had come on the road. DeShields said in his long career he has never seen a starting pitcher get a standing ovation from the fans for a short outing.
“This was something special for Ben, his family and friends,” DeShields said. “It’s the kind of game you live for. But at the same time you want to play well. I’m glad it’s over. I think he’ll be fine moving forward.”
Despite taking the loss in his pitching performance, Lively wanted to talk about his first at bat since he was a senior in high school. He didn’t bat in college at Central Florida and in his first two seasons until now. He grounded out to the pitcher.
“I’m not going to lie. I felt pretty good up there,” he said. “I was ready to face the guy.”
Lively’s eight strikeouts started with a waist-high 96 mph fastball that he blew by Huntsville’s Ramirez in the first. Between the first and third inning, all the Wahoos outs came on Lively K’s. He leads the Cincinnati Reds organization with 103 total strikeouts on the year and is second overall in all of minor league baseball.
Lively, the Reds No. 12 prospect who was drafted in the fourth round last year, was named the starter of the California League All-Star game after leading the league in nearly every pitching category through the first half. He was the league leader in ERA (2.28), wins (10), strikeouts (95) and WHIP (0.92). He was among the leaders in opponent batting average (.201) and innings pitched (79).
It was the first time in Blue Wahoos history that a local product was playing for the team. Pensacola’s last sellout on a Monday night came Aug. 26, 2013 in the team’s last homestand of the season. In six Monday home games this season, the Blue Wahoos have averaged 3,291 in attendance.
Lively admitted being excited in front of the 5,038 cheering fans and his whole family.
“I was a little amped up,” he said. “I was expecting it to be a little emotional. I’m not upset about it. I got the first one out of the way.”
Fans, players, media and even coaches talked all week about Lively’s debut Monday night.
“How is he going to handle the pressure of being in his hometown?” DeShields said earlier in the week. “He’s going to have a lot of people pulling at him. One of his biggest challenges is going to be how he maintains his routine.”
For his part, Lively said he just plans to keep working hard to make it to the big leagues just like everyone else on the team.
“My mindset is to push myself more and keep doing what I’ve been doing,” said Lively, who told his mother the news first after hearing with his fellow Bakersfield teammates that he was being called up to Pensacola. “It’s a different stage but the same stuff.”
And when he’s at home and not pitching, you’ll likely find Lively, who once rode a whale shark, at Pensacola Beach surfing or “tearing up” his truck. His first stop after returning home was Pensacola Beach.
“I’m a beach bum, surfer boy or pier rat,” he said. “When I got here, I threw my clothes down and went to Flounders.”
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos travel to play a five-game series against Los Angeles Dodgers Double-A affiliate the Chattanooga Lookouts at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday. RHP Daniel Corcino (7-5, 3.47) is scheduled to start for the Wahoos and is opposed by the Lookouts RHP Nick Struck (1-4, 7.24).
by Joey Truncale
Photos by Michael Spooneybarger, Pensacola Blue Wahoos, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Hurricanes 11-12 Year Old Team State Bound
June 23, 2014
The Flomaton Hurricane 11-12 year old team won their district championship over the weekend. The team is now state bound. Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.