PENSACOLA, Fla. - Pensacola Blue Wahoos right-hander Daniel Wright pitched a season-long eight scoreless innings and hit an RBI single for the first run in his team's 5-1 win for a fourth straight victory over the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in the fourth game of a five-game series at Blue Wahoos
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Pensacola Blue Wahoos right-hander Daniel Wright pitched a season-long eight scoreless innings and hit an RBI single for the first run in his team's 5-1 win for a fourth straight victory over the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in the fourth game of a five-game series at Blue Wahoos Stadium Saturday night.
The Blue Wahoos (20-8 second half, 50-46 overall) took the lead in the bottom of the second inning against Jacksonville right-hander Merandy Gonzalez (1-5). Third baseman Taylor Sparks doubled past third baseman Brian Schales, catcher Chris Okey walked, and Wright (5-6) hit an RBI single to center field. Center fielder Brian Miller threw out Okey at third base to end the inning. Jacksonville left fielder Braxton Lee also threw out baserunners to end the first and third innings.
Pensacola center fielder Jose Siri led off the bottom of the third inning with his fourth home run of the series to center field, and Sparks hit a solo home run to left field with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning to extend the lead to 3-0.
Randy Ready Postgame at Pensacola 7/21/18
The Blue Wahoos added two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Gonzalez walked left fielder TJ Friedl, and first baseman Mitch Nay singled to left field. Two batters later, right fielder Aristides Aquino hit a two-run double to left field, chasing Gonzalez after 4 1/3 innings, in which he allowed five earned runs on eight hits and two walks with one strikeout.
After Gonzalez, Jacksonville right-hander Jose Pena pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings, and Miami Marlins right-hander Tayron Guerrero pitched around a seventh-inning leadoff single for a scoreless inning in his rehab major league rehab assignment with Jacksonville (10-19, 38-59). Left-hander Scott Squier pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
Jacksonville first baseman Peter O'Brien led off the ninth inning with his team-high 13th home run to right-center field off right-hander Nick Howard. Two baserunners reached before right-hander Rafael De Paula got two outs for his third save.
UP NEXT: The Jumbo Shrimp conclude their series in Pensacola at 6:05 p.m. Sunday, when Jacksonville right-hander Kolton Mahoney (3-4) is scheduled to face rehabbing Cincinnati Reds right-hander Rookie Davis. The Jumbo Shrimp return home to face Montgomery on Monday, July 23, at 7 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. for VyStar Credit Union Charity Begins at Home with Mission House raising funds through ticket sales and the Launch-A-Ball promotion. VyStar Credit Union members can get a buy-3-get-1 free ticket special by showing their VyStar credit or debit card at the box office. Half-Price Yuengling Monday means 16-oz. Yuengling cans are half-price, and Dollar Dog Night offers $1 hot dogs. For Wear Your Favorite Jersey Night, anyone wearing a jersey will receive $2 off a game day ticket at the box office.
ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Their inaugural season garnered the Southern League's Don Mincher Organization of the Year, Promotional Trophy, and Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year, won by General Manager Harold Craw. To experience the excitement with the terrific value of ticket and group options, call the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846 or visit www.jaxshrimp.com.
