Close game becomes lopsided late in BayBears loss

MOBILE, Ala. (April 6, 2018) - After tying the game 1-1 in the fourth inning, the Mobile BayBears, the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, gave up eight late runs and fell to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 9-1 Friday night in front of 1,856 fans at Hank Aaron Stadium.
Trailing 1-0 early, Matt Thaiss led off the bottom of the fourth with a double, the first of his two hits. After a Taylor Ward infield single, Thaiss scored on a Hutton Moyer fielder's choice.
The game remained tied until the seventh inning, when Pensacola (1-1) exploded for five runs against Jonah Wesely (0-1) in his Double-A debut. Gavin LaValley's three-run double highlighted the frame, which followed a bases-loaded walk that broke the deadlock. The BayBears' (1-1) pitching staff walked eight batters in the game.
Despite multi-hit games from Thaiss and Ward, the BayBears could not get a timely hit with runner in scoring position. Mobile went just for 1-for-10 with RISP and struggled against a trio of Blue Wahoos relievers. Robinson Leyer (1-0), Dean Kiekhefer, and Ariel Hernández combined to hold the BayBears scoreless for the final four innings.
Josh VanMeter added a three-run homer in the ninth to extend Pensacola's lead to 9-1.
Luis Pena allowed just one unearned run on one hit with six strikeouts in his first start of the season. However, he walked five batters, threw only 39 of his 72 pitches for strikes, and departed after 4 1/3 innings.
The BayBears continue the five-game home series against Pensacola Saturday at 7:05 p.m. CDT. Right-handed pitcher Jose Rodriguez (0-0, -.-- ERA) is scheduled to make the start against righty Vladimir Gutierrez (0-0, -.-- ERA) for the Blue Wahoos. Live coverage can be seen on MiLB.tv (subscription required, promo code: BAYBEARS) and heard on the BayBears Broadcast Network, the TuneIn Radio App, and the MiLB First Pitch App, with the Countdown to First Pitch starting at 6:45 p.m. CT.
The BayBears host 70 home dates through Labor Day, September 3. Single-game tickets and ticket packages are currently on sale. Season tickets and group and hospitality offerings for the 2018 season can be reserved by calling (251) 479-BEAR (2327).
 
About the Mobile BayBears
The Mobile BayBears are the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles and play their games at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Ala. The BayBears were founded in 1997 and have won four Southern League titles in 1998, 2004, 2011, and 2012. Additionally, the 1998 and 2011 championship squads were named Minor League Team of the Year by Baseball America. More than 160 former BayBears have reached the Major League level, including All-Stars Max Scherzer, Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Peavy, Carlos González, and Justin Upton. For more information on the Mobile BayBears and Hank Aaron Stadium, please visit MobileBayBears.com, call (251) 479-BEAR (2327), or contact Steve Goldberg via email at [email protected].
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