Reed Throws Eight Scoreless Innings
JACKSON, Tenn. - Juan Duran tripled and Seth Mejias-Brean singled him in as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos evened its five-game series with the Jackson Generals and, more importantly, helped them stay in first place in the South Division in the second half of the Southern League season.
One run in the sixth inning was all Pensacola needed to eke out an all-important victory, 1-0, Monday at The Ballpark in Jackson.
Blue Wahoos pitcher Cody Reed held Jackson scoreless through eight innings, giving up just four hits and striking out eight. Reed improved to 5-2 on the year with a 2.53 ERA. Pensacola closer Zach Weiss entered in the ninth to extend his team record 25th save of the season by striking out the side. It was the fifth time since July 31 that he's struck out all three batters in an inning.
Their pitching is what kept Pensacola's drive for its first playoff in franchise history alive with six games left in the season. It would also help the Blue Wahoos become the first Cincinnati Reds Double-A affiliate since Chattanooga in 2006 to play in the postseason. Monday's win also secured the first winning half in franchise history.
Pensacola, which took the opener in the five-game series, is now 7-7 overall against Jackson this season.
Pensacola and Mississippi are battling for the postseason spot. The Blue Wahoos improved to 36-28 in the second half and remain a half game ahead of Mississippi, which defeated Biloxi, 3-0, Monday to improve to 35-28.
Both Duran, the DH, and third baseman Mejias-Brean went 2-4. Duran had a triple and scored a run, while Mejias-Brean doubled and batted in Duran for 46 RBIs this year.
Meanwhile, Pensacola right fielder Jesse Winker's went 0-2 Monday and the Reds top prospect hit in 20 of his 27 games this month for a .344 average (32-93) in August.
Come experience the family-fun entertainment at the Pensacola Blue Wahoos ballpark with its final series of the season against the Mobile BayBears. Follow the team at BlueWahoos.com, facebook.com/PensacolaBlueWahoos and twitter.com/BlueWahoosBBall.
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