Jacksonville Suns Beat The Pensacola Blue Wahoos 9-6
June 3, 2012
Three Suns batters collected three hits as Jacksonville plated seven unanswered runs in the final three innings to counter Pensacola’s sixth-run fifth frame and defeat the Blue Wahoos 9-6 in front of another capacity crowd of 5,038 on Saturday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The sellout was the Blue Wahoos’ 19th of the season in 25 home openings, as well as the sixth straight dating back to Pensacola’s previous homestand. The victory improves the Suns’ record to 26-30 this season, while the Fish fell to 25-31 in 2012.
After Pensacola grabbed a 6-2 lead with their six-run fifth, Jacksonville charged back with seven straight scores, including four in the eighth frame to take command. C Jake Jefferies got the rally started with a leadoff double and moved to third on 2B Paul Gran’s single prior to coming home on SS Chris Gutierrez’s run-scoring base knock to cut the deficit to 6-5. 3B Shawn Bowman would follow with a two-run double to left to push the Suns into the lead, which they would not give up.
Jacksonville got the scoring started with single tallies in the first and third frames. Gutierrez drew a free pass to begin the contest and eventually was brought home on an RBI groundout, while 1B German Duran left the yard to start the third frame. It was Duran’s second longball of the year, which gave the Suns an early 2-0 advantage.
After Blue Wahoos pinch hitter Stephen Hunt and CF Ryan LaMarre began the sixth with a single and base-on-balls, SS Didi Gregorius reached on an error, with Hunt scoring on the play. LaMarre and Gregorius would then be sent in on 2B Brodie Greene’s two-run single to center, which provided the Fish with a 3-2 lead. 3B David Vidal then subsequently singled home Greene after a double from RF Josh Fellhauer, while Pensacola also used a suicide squeeze bunt and sacrifice fly to bring home the final two scores of the frame.
Suns reliever Joshua Schmidt (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 SO) earned the win to move to 2-3 after his scoreless inning of work, while Blue Wahoos RHP Justin Freeman (0.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 SO) suffered the loss. Jacksonville closer Evan Reed (1.0 IP, 2 SO) shut the door in the ninth to notched his 11th save of the year.
Duran (3-5, 3 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI) , Bowman (3-5, 3 2B, 3 RBI) and Jefferies (3-5, 1 R, 1 2B) all accumulated three hits in the contest and CF Donnie Webb (2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI) also recorded a multi-hit game, while Pensacola batters tallied two or more base knocks.
The Suns and Blue Wahoos will face off again on Sunday afternoon at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, which first pitch set for 2:05 PM. The Fish are scheduled to send LHP Tony Cingrani to the hill in his Double-A debut after being promoted from High-A Bakersfield on Friday, while Jacksonville is expected to send LHP Jose Alvarez to toe the rubber.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Josh Fellhauer reached base three times in the Pensacola Blue Wahoo’s 9-6 loss Saturday night. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Generals Sweep Doubleheader Over The Pensacola Wahoos
June 2, 2012
The Generals swept Pensacola in their double header, taking the first contest 6-1, before Jackson walked off with a 2-1 extra-inning victory over the Blue Wahoos in the second game on Friday evening at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tennessee.
Jackson took the opening game of the twinbill behind a solid seven inning complete game effort from starting pitcher Brandon Maurer. The right-hander earned his third win of the year after yielding only a lone earned run on just four hits in his strong outing. Blue Wahoos starter Daniel Corcino suffered the loss after allowing three earned runs on five hits in three frames, though relievers Chris Manno and Wilkin De La Rosa combined for three shutout frames in the defeat.
The Generals powered ahead to an early 5-0 advantage in the opening frame. C Jesus Sucre started the scoring by driving in two with a single to right, his first of four hits in the contest, before a fielding miscue allowed the next run to come across. LF Kalian Sams would then launch a solo homer to left to complete the inning’s output. A bases loaded free pass in the third extended the Jackson margin to 6-0.
The Blue Wahoos would plate their lone run in the fifth to dash the Generals’ shutout hopes. After 1B Joel Guzman reached on a lead-off walk, 3B P.J. Phillips sent in Guzman with a run-scoring double to center for Pensacola’s lone score of the contest.
It was a pitcher’s duel in game two with neither team giving way until the tenth, when the Blue Wahoos scored their only run of the contest. 3B David Vidal walked and advanced to third on 1B Stephen Hunt’s single prior to an RBI groundout from C Chris Berset, which put the Fish ahead.
The Generals however, would answer with two scores in the bottom of the frame to end the contest. Sucre singled and 1B Joseph Dunigan walked, before both moved a base on a wild pitch to set the stage for 3B Francisco Martinez. The third baseman grounded a single into right to bring home both Sucre and Dunigan to end the game and series.
Despite surrendering the run in the tenth, Jackson reliever Steven Hensley (3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) earned the win to improve to 2-2, while Blue Wahoos RHP Justin Freeman (0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB) suffered the loss after yielding the final two tallies. Pensacola starter Mark Serrano (5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 SO), in addition to Donnie Joseph (1.1 IP, 3 SO) and Curtis Partch (2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 SO), totaled nine shutout frames, while Generals starter Jandy Sena (4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 SO) teamed up with relief pitchers Bobby LaFraomboise (0.2 IP) and Carter Capps (2.0 IP, 1 BB, 4 SO) for seven scoreless innings.
The Blue Wahoos now return to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium for a five-game set with the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, beginning on Saturday night at 6:30 pm. Pensacola is scheduled to send RHP Tim Crabbe to the mound to begin the series, while the Suns are expected to start LHP Jose Alvarez.
By Andrew Green
Blue Wahoos At Jackson Generals Postponed Due To Rain
June 1, 2012
Thursday’s game between the Blue Wahoos and Jackson Generals has been postponed due to rain. The two teams will close out their five-game series with a doubleheader on Friday beginning at 5:05 p.m.
Both games will be seven-inning contests. The second game will start approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. The pitching matchups for each game have not yet been determined.
The Blue Wahoos will return home following the game to begin their five-game series with the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins.
Blue Wahoos Beat Jackson
May 31, 2012
Kyle Lotzkar (2-1) had more than enough run support as the Blue Wahoos scored all seven of their runs over the game’s first three innings on Wednesday afternoon at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn. Lotzkar went on to have one of his best starts of the season by matching his season high for strikeouts with eight over six innings.
Pensacola got on the board when Josh Fellhauer singled home Ryan LaMarre in the top of the first putting the Wahoos in front 1-0. They added some cushion with two more in the second on Mark Fleury’s RBI double and an error on a batted ball by Brodie Greene later in the inning. The Blue Wahoos opened it up with a four-run third that included Fleury’s second RBI double of the game. He also scored later in the inning. All seven runs were charged to the Generals’ starter Taylor Stanton (0-1) who ended up taking the loss.
Meanwhile, Lotzkar pitched very well on his way to earning the win for Pensacola. This was his first start during his time with the double-A club that he didn’t issue a walk. He also matched his overall season high with eight punchouts, something he hadn’t done since his first start of the season on April 9 while pitching with Bakersfield (advanced-A). He allowed just two runs in the fourth inning when he gave up back-to-back extra base hits to Kalian Sams (double) and Chih-Hsien Chiang (triple) to start the inning.
P.J. Phillips joined Fleury with a multi-hit game by going 2-for-5. He also scored a pair of runs and drove in one.
The series continues on Thursday night at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn. Pensacola sends right-hander Daniel Corcino (2-2, 3.50) to the mound against Jackson righty Brandon Maurer (2-1, 4.38).
Pictured: Kyle Lotzkar yielded just two earned runs over six innings as the Wahoos beat Jackson 7-3 Wednesday in Tennessee. NorthEscambia.com photo by Chris Nelson, click to enlarge.
Former NHS Quarterback, Three Other Teens Arrested
May 30, 2012
The former quarterback for the Northview High Chiefs and three other teens were arrested late Monday night on underage alcohol and drug charges.
Brandon Lee Sheets, age 18 of Century; Taylor Christiane McCurry, age 18 of Molino; Dakota Ray Smith, age 19 of Molino; and John Everette, age 18, of Atmore, were each charged with possession of alcohol under 21 years of age, marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. All four were released from the Escambia County Jail on $1,500 bond each.
Sheets quarterback for the 2012 Northview High School Chiefs. He was suspended from his final game in the state playoff series by the Florida High School Athletic Association for alleged taunting, forced to sit out a state semifinal game against Chipley.
Late Monday night, an Escambia County deputy reported finding the teens in the area of 7200 Plantation Way, behind the former University Mall. After receiving consent to search the vehicle, the deputy reported finding a two small baggies containing marijuana, a brown plastic marijuana cigarette, a “rolling device”, rolling papers, a homemade smoking device made from a Keystone beer can and a bottle of Southern Comfort that was about half full. The deputy also reported finding a small portable air compressor in the vehicle that he believed to be used in conjunction with the smoking device, according to arrest reports.
All four individuals admitted to possession of alcohol, according to arrest reports, but all four denied any knowledge of the marijuana or the drug paraphernalia.
All four were charged, the arrest report states, because one baggie of the marijuana and the rolling papers were in plain view in the center area of the vehicle.
Generals Hand The Pcola Wahoos Their Second Straight Loss
May 30, 2012
The Jackson Generals used a pair of solo home runs for some much needed insurance as the Blue Wahoos lost their second straight to Jackson 4-2 from Pringles Park.
Pensacola got on the board first with an RBI double from Brodie Greene plating Ryan LaMarre in the top of the first. Jackson wasted no time answering with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Francisco Martinez came home from third on a sacrifice fly to center by Denny Almonte. Joe Dunigan followed that with a double and came home a batter later on Jesus Sucre’s single giving Jackson the lead.
Chih-Hsien Chiang hit his first home run of the year in the fourth, a solo blast while Kalian Sams hit his fourth big fly of the year in the sixth. The insurance runs proved necessary as the Blue Wahoos tacked on a run in the fifth. Joel Guzman singled home Didi Gregorius but that was the last of the offense. David Vidal grounded into an inning-ending double play a batter later leaving the tying run at third. The Wahoos only had one baserunner the rest of the game.
Wahoos starter J.C. Sulbaran (L, 3-4) was charged with the loss after allowing all four Generals runs over six innings. He walked just one and struck out three. Steve Garrison (W, 3-1) earned the win for the Generals. He was allowed both Blue Wahoos runs on seven hits over six innings. Steven Hensley (S, 2) picked up the save by striking out the side in order in the ninth.
The two teams meet in a matinee on Wednesday at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn. Pensacola sends right-hander Kyle Lotzkar (1-1, 1.10) to the mound against Jackson right-hander Taylor Stanton (2-1, 6.08 w/Advanced-A High Desert).
By Tommy Thrall
Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Drop Road Trip Opener
May 29, 2012
Jackson used a pair of extra-base hits in the bottom of the first inning to claim a 2-0 lead, and they never looked back as the Blue Wahoos opened their road trip with a 5-0 loss to the Generals at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn.
The Generals got on the board when Denny Almonte doubled home Nick Franklin who had tripled in the previous at bat. Almonte came home later in the inning on a base hit by Jesus Sucre.
Almonte struck again in the fifth with a two-run home run off of Blue Wahoos starter Tim Gustafson (2-2). Gustafson was charged with all five Generals runs after working 5.2 innings. Despite striking out a season-high seven batters, the Blue Wahoos starter was still tagged with the loss.
Offensively Ryan LaMarre, Didi Gregorius and Yordanys Perez all collected two-hit games. The Wahoos matched the Generals with nine hits but went 0-for-10 collectively with runners in scoring position.
Danny Hultzen (5-3) worked six shutout innings in the win. He walked two, struck out five and matched his season high allowing five hits.
The two teams continue the series on Tuesday when Pensacola sends right-hander J.C. Sulbaran to the mound against Jackson lefty Steve Garrison (2-1, 3.00). First pitch is set for 7:05 from Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn.
By Tommy Thrall
Pictured top: Tim Gustafson struck out a season high eight batters Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo by Chris Nelson, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Get Comeback Victory Over the Mississippi Braves
May 28, 2012
Pensacola center fielder Andrew Means launched a three-run home run in the eighth inning to lead the Blue Wahoos to a 7-5 comeback victory over the Mississippi Braves, as the Fish sold out all five games of their homestand, including their 18th capacity crowd of the year on Sunday afternoon at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The Braves won the series 3-2, having clinched on Saturday evening, though they fell to 22-27 with the loss Sunday. The Blue Wahoos improved their season mark to 24-26 with the win. The sellout crowd was the 18th of the year in 24 home openings this year.
After entering the eighth down 5-3, RF Josh Fellhauer led off the frame with a double and subsequently scored on 1B Joel Guzman’s RBI single to narrow the deficit to one. 3B David Vidal would then single to set the stage for Means, who rocketed an 0-1 pitch over the left field wall to complete the comeback.
Mississippi got off to an early 3-0 lead after three frames thanks to a two-run double from RF Cory Harrilchack in the second, while the third tally came across when C Matt Kennelly was hit by a pitch in the next inning. The Braves added single tallies in the seventh, courtesy of Kennelly’s RBI base knock, while SS Andrelton Simmons belted his third longball of the season and the series in the eighth.
Pensacola got their first two runs in the fifth, when C Mark Fleury drew a bases-loaded walk and 2B Brodie Greene was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Blue Wahoos also got a run in the seventh when SS Didi Gregorius tripled to bring home Means, who singled earlier in the frame.
Means (3-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI) was the lone Blue Wahoos batter to record a multi-hit effort in the contest with his three base knocks, while Simmons (2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB) and 3B Joe Leonard (2-3, 2 R, 2 BB) each collected a pair of hits for the Braves.
Pensacola reliever Mark Serrano (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 SO) earned his fourth victory of the year after yielding a run on a hit in one frame, while closer Donnie Joseph (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 SO) notched his Southern League leading 12th save with a hitless ninth, fanning two. Blue Wahoos RHP Drew Hayes (2.1 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 SO) had a strong outing, firing 2.1 scoreless innings in relief. Mississippi RHP Cory Rasmus (1.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 1-1 after allowing four runs on four hits in the eighth.
The Blue Wahoos will now travel to Jackson, Tennessee for a five-game series with the Generals, the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, with the series opener on Monday with first pitch set for 7:05 pm. The Fish are scheduled to send RHP Tim Gustafson to the mound, while Jackson is expected to give the ball to LHP Danny Hultzen.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Closer Donnie Joseph notched his Southern League leading 12th save Sunday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Braves Beat Wahoos 7-3 Before Capacity Pensacola Crowd
May 27, 2012
The Braves collected six straight singles as part of a five-run eighth inning, as first baseman Ian Gac recorded three hits, to lead Mississippi to a 7-3 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in front of another capacity crowd of 5,038 on Saturday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
It was the 17thh sellout crowd of the year at the bayfront stadium in their 23rdd home opening of 2012. The victory clinched the series for the Braves, who improved their record to 22-26 this season, while the Blue Wahoos fell to 23-26 this year.
Pensacola entered the eighth inning leading 3-2, but Mississippi plated five runs on six straight singles to grab a 7-3 advantage they would not give up. Prior to their late inning scoring spurt, Mississippi brought home single scores in the fourth and sixth innings, including Gac’s RBI double in the sixth.
The Blue Wahoos took an early 1-0 lead in the second thanks to RF Andrew Means’ first home run of the year, while C Brian Peacock drove in the next two tallies for the Fish. The Pensacola backstop drew a bases-loaded walk in the fourth, and later drove in 3B David Vidal with an RBI single in the sixth.
Both starters did not factor in the decision despite quality starts, with Pensacola RHP Daniel Corcino (6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO) yielding just two earned runs on six hits in six frames, while Braves LHP Sean Gilmartin (6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 9 SO) tied a season-high with nine strikeouts and gave up three runs in his six innings of work.
Braves reliever Andy Russell (2.0 IP) earned the victory after throwing two shutout innings in relief of starter Gilmartin, while RHP Mark Serrano (0.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER) suffered the loss to fall to 3-1 on the year.
Along with Gac (3-5, 1 R, 2 2B, 1 RBI) LF Alden Carrithers (2-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB) collected two or more hits for Mississippi, while 3B David Vidal (2-4, 1 R, 1 2B) and RF Andrew Means (2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI) recorded multi-hit efforts in the defeat.
The Braves and Blue Wahoos will meet for the final time this series on Sunday afternoon, with first pitch set for 2:00 pm at the bayfront stadium. Pensacola is scheduled to send RHP Tim Crabbe to the hill, while Mississippi is expected to counter with RHP David Hale.
by Andrew Green
Pictured Andrew Means homered for the first time this year as the Blue Wahoos lost to the Braves in Pensacola Saturday night. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Fall 6-5 Friday Night
May 26, 2012
Mississippi plated a ninth inning run with back-to-back doubles from first baseman Ian Gac and pinch hitter Barrett Kleinknecht after Pensacola came back from an early 5-0 deficit, as the Braves defeated the Blue Wahoos 6-5 in front of another sellout crowd of 5,038 on Friday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
It was the 16th sellout of the year in 21 home dates for the Blue Wahoos, who continue to lead the Southern League in attendance in their inaugural season. The defeat drops the Fish to a 23-25 mark in 2012, while the Braves improved their record to 21-26. Two-time NFL champion, Milton High School graduate and New York Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes was in attendance, and threw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to the game.
After allowing the Blue Wahoos to comeback after they were down five, Gac doubled down the left field, while Kleinknecht followed with a double of his own on the next pitch to bring home Gac on what turned out to be the game-winning hit.
The Braves jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the 1stt thanks to a two-run homer from SS Andrelton Simmons. It was the second roundtripper of the year and of the series for the Braves’ fourth-best prospect. Mississippi then increased the margin to five in the fourth thanks to RBI singles from CF Keenan Wiley and 2B Phil Gosselin, while Gac had a sacrifice fly.
The Blue Wahoos however, answered back with a five-run sixth inning to tie it at 5-5. CF Ryan LaMarre reached on a fielder’s choice and took second on an error before he was plated by SS Didi Gregorius for the club’s first tally of the contest. Gregorius moved to third on 2B Brodie Greene’s double, before both were sent home on 1B Joel Guzman’s two-run single to right. Guzman would score along with 3B David Vidal, who was hit by a pitch, on LF P.J. Phillips’ clutch two-run double to center to draw the contest even.
Guzman (2-4, 1 R, 2 RBI) was the lone Pensacola batter to record two hits in the contest, while Gosselin (2-5, 1 2B, 1 RBI) and LF Alden Carrithers (2-4, 1 R, 1 BB) each collected multi-hit efforts for the Braves.
Mississippi reliever Ryan Buchter (1.0 IP, 2 SO) earned his second victory of the year after fanning two batters in his scoreless inning of relief, while closer Mark Lamm (1.0 IP, 1 H) tossed a scoreless ninth to notch his sixth save of the season. Pensacola closer Donnie Joseph (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 SO) suffered his first loss of 2012, yielding a run on two hits in one inning. It was just the second run Joseph has given up all year in 22 appearances.
The Blue Wahoos and Braves are scheduled to meet again Saturday evening, with first pitch set for 6:30 pm. RHP Daniel Corcino is expected to get the start for Pensacola, while Mississippi is slated to send LHP Sean Gilmartin to the hill.
Fans will want to arrive early and stay late for Saturday night’s contest, as NFL champ and Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Josh Sitton will be at the game and throw out a ceremonial first pitch. All fans are asked to wear green or gold in honor of Sitton. The Blue Wahoos will also be wearing special camouflage jerseys sponsored by Andrews Institute, with the jerseys being auctioned off throughout the game in a silent auction. Proceeds will benefit the Eagle Fund – Wounded Military.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: OF Yordanys Perez up to bat for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.