Wahoos Blank Suns 8-0
June 1, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos scored five runs in the first inning Saturday at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The big hit in the first inning came on a three-run home run over the left field fence by Travis Mattair.
While the Wahoos went on to defeat the Jacksonville Suns, 8-0, to break a six-game losing streak, all eyes were on former big league MVP and All-Star Miguel Tejada.
Tejada was playing professional baseball for the first time for the Miami Marlins Double-A affiliate since a 105-game suspension Aug. 17 by Major League Baseball for testing positive for amphetamines. He becomes eligible June 7 to play again in the majors.
The 40-year-old Tejada, who was the 2002 American League Most Valuable and six-time All-Star, hit a bloop single in his first at bat, grounded out to short in an inning-ending double play, struck out and beat out a sharp grounder that Wahoos third baseman Juan Silverio made a backhanded stab on and in his final at bat reached first on a fielder’s choice. In the field, Tejada played third base where he made a nice play on a big hop.
Before getting on the team bus to travel to Pensacola, Tejada introduced himself to every Suns player and shook their hands.
After the game, Tejada could hardly contain his excitement about being back on the field. Suns Manager Andy Barkett gave him the option to come out of the game if he was tired but he chose to stay in.
“I feel great,” said Tejada, who last played in the Southern League in 1997. “I feel 20 again. I’m excited and happy to be here.”
Tejada also said he wants to play at least another season and be a model player for the younger ballplayers coming up.
“I don’t want them to quit. I want them to keep playing,” Tejada said. “They see me out 105 games but I came back. I can help a lot of young guys. I’ve always loved this game and I respect it a lot.”
Jacksonville’s Barkett said Tejada looked “great” at the plate and in the field. Barkett reported that Tejada plans to play, too, in his home country where he’s considered a legend for the
Dominican Republic winter baseball league’s Agulias Cibaenas.
“He said he wants one more year to do things right,” said Barkett, who played with Tejada in 2000 in the Caribbean Series championship. “That’s completely admirable. I hope they young guys see not just a talented player but see the hunger of this guy. We’ve got someone special on our hands as a human being and as a baseball player.”
Tejada, who in 16 big league seasons is a .285 hitter with 307 home runs and 1302 RBI, is a former Southern Leaguer. He spent the 1997 season with the Huntsville Stars, who were affiliated with the Oakland Athletics at the time. In 128 games, Tejada hit .275 with 22 homers and 97 RBI, and he received his first MLB call-up late that season.
Besides Mattair Several Wahoos played well against the Suns Saturday night, including Brodie Greene who was 2-4 and scored two runs; Ross Perez who went 2-3 and drove in two runs; and Juan Silverio who was 2-4 with a home run blast over the leftfield wall.
by Tommy Thrall
Niceville Upends Tate In Spring Football Jamboree
May 31, 2014
The Niceville Eagles got past the Tate Aggies 21-13 in a two-quarter spring football jamboree Friday night at Pete Gindl Stadium in Cantonment.
Quarterback Sawyer Smith capped an 80-yard trip down the field with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Reginald Payne to open the scoring for the Aggies. Tate scored again on a seven-yard run from Alondo Thompkins.
In the first two quarters of the jamboree, the Niceville junior varsity defeated the Tate JV 16-0.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Drop Both Games Of Mississippi Doubleheader
May 31, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (22-33) dropped both games of the doubleheader against the Mississippi Braves (32-22). The Wahoos were held scoreless in both contests and managed just nine hits combined. With the two victories, the Braves swept the five-game series over the Wahoos.
Mississippi took game one of the series 7-0. RHP Jason Hursh pitched a complete-game shutout for the Braves. Hursh gave up just four hits in the game. Wahoos’ RHP Michael Lorenzen was tagged for 7 R/6ER over just 2.1 innings of work. Lorenzen fell for the fourth time this season and will end May with an 0-3 record, but a 3.62 ERA.
Catcher Braeden Schlehuber led the Braves offensively; he hit a three-run home run and ended the day with four RBI. Cedric Hunter continued his hot series with a 2-for-3 game and an RBI. The Wahoos only extra-base hit on the day came from Lorenzen, a double to right field in the third inning.
The Wahoos again fell 7-0 in game two. Braves starter Aaron Northcraft pitched 5.0 innings and struck out eight Wahoo batters. The right-hander won his sixth game of the season. RHP Mikey O’Brien took the loss for the Wahoos. It was the first loss for O’Brien as a starter and the first time the Wahoos lost in one of his starts this season.
Hunter played well again for the Braves in game two. The left-fielder went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Right-fielder David Rohm finished the second game 2-for-3 with two RBI. Rey Navarro had the only multi-hit game on the day for the Wahoos; he finished the game 2-for-3.
The Wahoos return to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium Saturday to take on the Jacksonville Suns. RHP Daniel Corcino (4-4, 3.66) will start the first game for the Wahoos in the five-game set with the Suns. Jacksonville will send RHP Jose Urena (5-2, 4.17) to the bump.
by Joey Truncale
Northwest Escambia Closes Out Season With A Bang (With Photo Gallery)
May 30, 2014
The Northwest Escambia league at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill closed out their season with a bang Thursday night. Each player received a trophy prior to a fireworks show.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wahoos And Braves Washed Out Thursday Night
May 30, 2014
For the third straight night, the Blue Wahoos and Mississippi Braves had to deal with rain at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., and the rain finally won. The Blue Wahoos and Braves were postponed and the two teams will make up the game as part of a doubleheader on Friday.
The game will consist of two seven inning games with roughly a half-hour break between the two games.
The Blue Wahoos will send RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-3, 1.99) to the mound in game one followed by RHP Mikey O’Brien (2-2, 4.58) in game two. The Braves will counter with RHP Jason Hursh (3-4, 4.18) followed by RHP Aaron Northcraft (4-2, 2.70).
Pensacola will return home after the games and open a five-game series with the Jacksonville Suns on Saturday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
by Tommy Thrall
Chiefs Honor Top Baseball Players
May 29, 2014
Several awards and a scholarship were presented at the annual Northview High School baseball team banquet:
- Sportsmanship Award — Trevor Levins and Doug Sherrill
- Diamond Thief Award (most stolen bases) — Jody Bonner
- Offensive Player Award — Thomas Moore
- Defensive Player Award — Jody Bonner
- Pitching Award — Daulton Tullis
- Academic Award — Doug Sherrill
- MVP Award — Thomas Moore
- Tommy Weaver Memorial Scholarship — Brannon Freeman
Pictured top: (L-R) Tommy Weaver Memorial Scholarship winner Brannon Freeman, Northview Principal Gayle Weaver, Most Valuable Player Award winner Thomas Moore and Coach Marty Lister. Pictured below: The annual Northview High School baseball team banquet. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Drop Second Straight In Extras To Braves
May 29, 2014
For the second straight night, the Mississippi Braves came from behind late in a game against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and won in walk-off fashion in extra innings. Blue Wahoos second baseman, Brodie Greene, committed a costly throwing error on an attempted double play which allowed former Wahoo Matt Kennelly to score with two outs handing the Braves the 5-4 win 13 innings.
Pensacola moved in front, 3-2, with a three-run sixth inning, but the Braves quickly responded with a run in the bottom of the inning to even the score. Pensacola reclaimed the lead in the seventh on a sacrifice fly to center field. It wasn’t until the ninth, that the Braves tied the game with an RBI double from, Tuesday night’s hero, Mycal Jones. It stayed that way until Mississippi took advantage of the Blue Wahoos miscues in the 13th inning for the 5-4 win.
The Blue Wahoos bullpen was tremendous allowing just 2R/1ER between three relievers over 7.2 innings. Drew Hayes, Justin Freeman and Tim Adleman combined to strike out seven Braves hitters and allowed just four hits. Adleman retired the first nine hitters he faced before allowing a leadoff single to Kennelly to begin the 13th. He suffered the loss despite allowing just the one hit in 3.2 innings.
Jon Moscot went 5.0 innings in the start for the Wahoos. He allowed 3R/ER on seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts in the no-decision. Braves starter J.R. Graham was tough to solve for Pensacola. He went 5.1 innings and allowed just 2R/ER on only two hits with six strikeouts. He also took a no-decision. Ryne Harper earned the win with a scoreless inning out of the Braves bullpen. It was the second straight night he had pitched for Mississippi.
Offensively, Greene led the way. He finished 3-for-4 with double and two runs scored. He had Pensacola’s only multi-hit game.
Pensacola will look to rebound on Thursday night. RHP Mikey O’Brien (2-2, 4.58) will get the nod for the Blue Wahoos against Braves RHP Jason Hursh (3-4, 4.18). First pitch is set for 7 p.m. from Trustmark Park.
by Tommy Thrall
Mississippi Braves Walk Off Over Wahoos 3-2 In 11
May 28, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos claimed an early 2-0 lead, but it evaporated in the seventh allowing the Mississippi Braves to win the game 3-2 in 11 innings Tuesday night at Trustmark Park. Jones, who flew out with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, came up with the winning run at third in the 11th inning and drove a single to left-center field to hand the Blue Wahoos their third straight loss.
Robert Stephenson started for Pensacola and got a no-decision. He went 6.1 innings and allowed 2 R/1 ER with a couple of walks and five strikeouts. He allowed just four singles and didn’t allow a runner past first base until an RBI triple by David Rohm in the seventh.
The bullpen kept the game tied until James Walczak (L, 1-2) allowed the winning run in his only inning of work. Rohm, who scored the game winner, moved up to third on a two-out error by the shortstop which kept the inning alive. The Blue Wahoos had a chance to go in front in the 10th when Travis Mattair was thrown out at home on a two-out single to left by Yorman Rodriguez. Left fielder Cedric Hunter’s throw just beat Mattair at the plate to end the inning.
Chasen Shreve (W, 3-0) worked just one perfect inning out of the bullpen to earn the win. He struck out the side in order in the top of the 11th before earning his third win of the year.
The Blue Wahoos will try to snap their skid behind RHP Jon Moscot (3-3, 2.35) on Wednesday night. The Braves will counter with Atlanta’s No. 3 prospect J.R. Graham (0-2, 4.86). First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. from Trustmark Park.
Braves’ Five Run Eighth Sinks Wahoos In Series Opener
May 27, 2014
Daniel Corcino dominated the Braves over six innings for the Wahoos on Monday night at Trustmark Park in the series opener between the Blue Wahoos and the Mississippi Braves, but a late rally against the bullpen propelled Mississippi to a 6-3 win over Pensacola. Mississippi plated five runs and sent 10 batters to the plate against three separate relievers in the eighth inning to come from behind for the win.
Corcino held the Braves at bay after allowing a run in the bottom of the first inning. He surrendered a leadoff double in the second and didn’t allow another hit until Matt Kennelly hit a one-out double in the sixth. Corcino gave up just the 1R/ER over 6.0 innings and allowed only three hits with three walks and six strikeouts.
Travis Mattair gave the Wahoos a 3-1 advantage with a two-run home run in the third inning, his fourth homer of the year. The game stayed that way until the eighth.
The inning started with a bunt single, but four hits, a hit by pitch and an error later, the Braves had scored five times against three Blue Wahoos relievers to take a comfortable 6-3 lead to the ninth inning. Fabian Williamson (L, 0-4) entered the game with one on and nobody out and he left with one out, a run in and the bases loaded. Justin Freeman tried to pitch out of the jam, but all three runners came home and one of his own before the dust settled on the frame.
Shea Simmons (S, 14) retired the Wahoos 1-2-3 in the ninth to close it out and earn the save. Williams Perez logged seven innings in the start for the Braves. He gave up 3R/ER on seven hits with no walks and seven strikeouts, matching his season high. Despite the strong outing, the Braves starter didn’t record a decision. James Hoyt (W, 2-2) earned the win with a scoreless eighth out of the bullpen.
The Blue Wahoos will look to rebound on Tuesday night against the Braves. Reds No. 1 prospect RHP Robert Stephenson (2-4, 3.48) will start against Braves RHP Ryan Weber (1-0, 3.23). First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. at Trustmark Park.
by Tommy Thrall
Barons Top Wahoos By One
May 26, 2014
When starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen left the game after seven innings, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos trailed the Birmingham Barons by only one run, 2-1.
By the end of Sunday’s game, Birmingham left the field with a 5-1 victory in the finale of a five-game series at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
It was a familiar story to Lorenzen—a stingy offense. In his 10 starts this season, only three have come with more than three runs. Plus, both runs the Barons scored came on misplayed fly balls by centerfielder Yorman Rodriguez, normally known for his excellent defense and arm that’s rated the best in the Cincinnati Reds organization.
“Those things are out of my control,” Lorenzen said. “I could get mad and negative about it but that does not help me be successful. Plays just happen. The bug hit him twice, and I was like, ‘Man.’”
On a positive note, Lorenzon threw 5 innings without allowing a hit in his last start, and then another 3.1 innings Sunday for 8.1 straight no-hit innings over his last two starts. He finally gave up a double to the Barons Trayce Thompson which scored Dan Wagner, who had reached third on the first Rodriguez error.
“I try to throw a no-hitter every game out there,” Lorenzen said. “We were talking about it. It was a little frustrating” not to go nine innings without allowing a hit.
Wahoos manager Delino DeShields singled Lorenzen out after the game. “That kid is going to be a big league pitcher one day. Every time he throws I see something a little different.”
After Pensacola third baseman Juan Silverio hit his third solo homerun to left field in five at bats over the past two games to tie the game at 1 in the fifth inning, the Barons added another run in their very next at bat. Wagner led off with a double and scored to make the score, 2-1, on a deep fly ball by Thompson to centerfield that Rodriguez ran back on but dropped. The Barons added three more in the eighth inning for the 5-1 win.
by Tommy Thrall
Pictured: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lose to the Birmingham Barons 5-1 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium on Sunday. Photo by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.