Pensacola splits doubleheader with Biloxi
PENSACOLA, Fla. - A few days ago, reliever Layne Somsen learned he would get the start for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos against the Southern League South-leading Biloxi Shuckers.
His feeling? Relaxed.
Somsen threw five scoreless innings in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader that Pensacola won, 2-1. Biloxi won the first game, 2-1, to split the day at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Somsen pitched in front of a sellout crowd-the Blue Wahoos 109th in 210 home appearances and fifth sellout in its first six home appearances this season against the Shuckers.
Somsen laughed when asked if he has been miscast as a reliever during his professional career. He was a starter at South Dakota State when the Wahoos parent club Cincinnati Reds drafted him in 2013.
"You know, (starting) is a different mindset," Somsen said. "You throw as many strikes as possible and go as far as possible. It's a more relaxed feeling when you're starting. In the bullpen, you try to go out there and blow guys away."
Somsen started the game having pitched eight innings in three relief appearances, allowing one run and striking out 11 hitters. In Sunday's start, he gave up two hits, a walk and struck out three in five innings.
Blue Wahoos Manager Pat Kelly laughed when asked if Somsen should be groomed as a starter, instead of a reliever. He likes Somsen's curveball and cut fastballs.
"I think he's a great swing man," Kelly said. "He fits that role really good. He can do a lot of things with a baseball."
The difference in the second game was a big two-out double down into the left field corner that came from pinch hitter Sean Buckley in the fifth inning that scored third baseman Ray Chang from second and put Pensacola ahead, 1-0. Ryan Wright, who went 3-7 Sunday, singled to right field to score Juan Silva for a 2-0 lead. Buckley was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.
In the first game, Buckley had the chance to tie or win the game with a two-out hit in the seventh inning but grounded out to short to end the first game of the doubleheader. In the second game with two outs, he smashed Shuckers' Jacob Barnes curveball to left.
"You want to be aggressive and get a good pitch," Buckley said. "Hopefully, I made up for" grounding out in the first game.
The Blue Wahoos had the tying and winning runs on third and second with two out against the Shuckers in the seventh and final inning of Sunday's first game. But Buckley grounded out. He had tied the game, 1-1, when his single scored Ryan Wright from second base.
That was the first run in eight innings that the Blue Wahoos managed off of Biloxi righty Brooks Hall (3-0) this season. Hall came into the game holding right-handed batters to a .069 batting average but Pensacola hitters managed to go 4-16 or .250 against him. Hall gave up all seven hits in his six innings of work Sunday.
GAME NOTES
The fourth game of the six-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers Double-A affiliate Biloxi Shuckers is scheduled at 6:35 p.m. RHP Daniel Wright (0-2, 5.68) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Shuckers RHP Tyler Wagner (3-0, 1.59).
Head out to the Berm and enjoy the game with your dog for Bark in the Park. Come early for a pregame parade on the field. Bring your tickets and meet on the first base side at the Wahoos Lounge no later than 5:50 p.m. Send your cute photo of your dog on twitter or Instagram at #WahooLetTheDogsOut
Give Back Monday presented by Pensacola News Journal is perfect for any non-profit group to raise awareness with recognition on our video board and a concourse table.
FUR Circus wraps up its three-day en-FUR-taining performance. Come see these totally whacky characters as they have water gun fights in the stands spraying many fans accidentally, dress like women to win affections of players and umpires, serve as bat boys for tips and other hilarious entertainment. It's one of the funniest group you will ever watch.
The game is broadcast live on the Blue Wahoos flagship station NewsRadio1620 (WNRP-AM). Listen for free at bluewahoos.com and by using the TuneIn Radio app on your mobile, desktop or home devices. Stream Wahoos games on MiLB.TV, a subscription-based service provided by Minor League Baseball.
BIG FISH Shortstop Juan Perez extended his hitting streak to nine games with a single in the second game and he had a double and single in the first game…Second baseman Ryan Wright was 3-7 with one run scored and one RBI in both games…Outfielder Sean Buckley went 2-5 with two of Pensacola's three runs batted in on Sunday…RHP Tim Adleman (0-3) gave up two runs, one earned in six innings, allowing five hits and two walks and striking out three in the first game.
AMAZING ARCIA The Biloxi Shuckers youngest star, 20-year-old Orlando Arcia, is showing his elders how to play in the Southern League. The shortstop, who's the No. 2 prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, had reached base in 16 of the Shuckers first 17 games this season, with his streak ending in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader when he went 0-2 with a sacrifice fly that drove in Biloxi's only run in a 2-1 loss. He's near the top in hitting in the Southern League at .423 (22-52).
The ever-entertaining Arcia, who doesn't speak English, has feasted on Wahoos pitching in 7 games. The Venezuelan is 10-23 (.435), including hitting a game-winning solo homer Saturday-his first of the season.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos Manager Pat Kelly has seen enough of the amazing Arcia. "I don't know what he's doing in this league. Defensively he's amazing. He can run. I don't know what else Milwaukee is looking for."
The Blue Wahoos return to Pensacola April 25th-29th against the Biloxi Shuckers. Come experience the fun all-you-can-eat Fat Tuesday experience on the 28th! You can follow the team at BlueWahoos.com, facebook.com/PensacolaBlueWahoos and twitter.com/BlueWahoosBBall.