BayBears lose lead late, stunned in series opener

PENSACOLA, Fla. (May 18, 2017) - The Mobile BayBears, the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, were leading through eight innings but dropped the series opener 3-2 to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in walk-off fashion Thursday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Alex Klonowski recorded his second straight quality start since returning from Triple-A Salt Lake. Klonowski pitched six scoreless frames and allowed just two hits, coming in the first three innings. The BayBears (17-24) plated runs in the third and fifth, and Klonowski exited with a 2-0 lead.
Pensacola (23-18) began its comeback with two outs in the eighth, getting on the board with Aristides Aquino's RBI triple. With two runners in scoring position in the ninth against Michael Dimock (0-1), Brian O'Grady delivered a walk-off, two-run single.
Tyler Mahle notched his sixth quality start, giving up two runs on seven hits in six innings pitched. Alex Powers and Brennan Bernardino (both struck out the side in the eighth and ninth innings.
Forrestt Allday went 0-for-1 but drew three walks, extending his on-base streak to 23 games.
The BayBears continue the five-game road series against the Blue Wahoos Friday at 6:35 p.m. CT. Right-hander Alex Blackford (0-1, 3.38 ERA) is slated to make the start against righty Austin Ross (4-0, 1.13 ERA) for Pensacola. Live coverage can be seen on MiLB.tv (Pensacola feed, 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 6:15 p.m. CT.
The BayBears return home Wednesday and host a total of 70 home dates through Labor Day, September 4. Single-game tickets and ticket packages are currently on sale. Season tickets and group and hospitality offerings for the 2017 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 of Anaheim and play their games at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. 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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