Missed Chance In Ninth Costs Blue Wahoos In 2-1 Loss To Shuckers

The Blue Wahoos set the table Thursday night for repeat thrills.

Ninth inning. Down a run. Two runners on. None out.

And big bats at the plate with an energized crowd awaiting. This time, however, the drama fizzled.

Biloxi Shuckers reliever Braden Webb, whose 35 appearances lead the Double-A South, first outpowered Jerar Encarnacion with a pair of fastballs, then overcame a wild pitch, which move both runners into scoring position, to retire the final two batters and preserve Biloxi’s 2-1 win at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

A crowd of 3,989 on this season’s designated transformation each Thursday home game into Pensacola Mullets Night, complete with the uniform change, figured Pensacola was on verge of more walk-off heroics.

An opportunity presented itself in the bottom of the ninth, after J.J. Bleday – author of Wednesday night’s 13th-inning walkoff win – led off with a walk. He became the team’s first baserunner since the fourth inning.

Peyton Burdick then flared a single to right. Encarnacion struck out on three pitches Webb blazed.

Up stepped Griffin Conine, who watched the first pitch from Webb roll to the backstop. But on the next one, he couldn’t barrel well enough and it was an easy groundout to first.

Chris Chinea, who had won a game earlier this year with his final at-bat, hit a grounder to third that first baseman Chad Spanberger dug out on the throw to seal the win.

It was Spanberger who gave Biloxi its 2-1 lead in the top of the ninth when launching a line drive into the right field grass berm off reliever Zack Leban. That was the only mistake Leban made in two innings, after following Matt Pobereyko’s two scoreless innings.

Pensacola starter Zach McCambley shined for his second straight home outing. He gave up four hits, and struck out four in five innings.

But aside from the failed ninth-inning chance, the only other time the Blue Wahoos had multiple baserunners was in the fourth inning when Burdick had a one-out double, stole third and scored on a wild pitch.

Encarnacion followed with a walk and Conine singled, but Shuckers starter Carlos Luna struck out Chinea and got Riley Mahan to ground out. It was Mahan’s first game in two weeks.

The teams will play the fourth game of the homestand on Friday. The Blue Wahoos (47-46) are seeking their first series win since beating the Shuckers five times on Fourth of July weekend.

GAME NOTABLES – Popular Barstool Sports personality Gus Duggerton, aka “Coach Duggs," threw out a first pitch Thursday and was interviewed by Blue Wahoos broadcaster Chris Garagiola during the game. He also visited with players before the game.

In addition to his podcast and video game creations, "Coach Duggs," whose real name is Drew McDonald, is also a baseball fan who travels to various minor league ballparks.

--- The other “celebrity sighting” was the affectionate Labrador pup “Watson” – the Blue Wahoos service-dog-in-training -- who had its own fan-greeting station set up at the Cox Clubhouse. The pup eagerly accepted fans and photos as trainer Kathryn Daniel, her husband and daughter stood by.

It was the first time Watson met Blue Wahoos ticket-holders, something the pup will continue to do as it grows into a full service dog.

---- The University of West Florida school of nursing had a group of 200 at the game, including UWF president Martha Saunders.

--- The Blue Wahoos honored “Mama Wahoo” a faithful fan who celebrated her 88th birthday at the game.

--- In addition, the Greater Pensacola Auburn Club had a group at the game as part of Thirsty Thursday. Drink specials occurred throughout the game with one more such event remaining on Sept. 9th.

BLUE WAHOOS WEEKEND

WHO: Biloxi Shuckers vs. Blue Wahoos

WHEN: Friday Through Sunday.

GAMETIMES: Friday’s games is at 6:35 p.m. Saturday’s game is 6:05 p.m.; Sunday is 4:05 p.m.

WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.

TICKETS: Available for all games at www.bluewahoos.com, the stadium box office or calling 850-934-8444.

RADIO: ESPN-Pensacola (99.1 FM, 1330 AM), Chris Garagiola on play-by-play.

PROMOTIONS: Giveaway Friday: The first 2,000 fans will receive a large, Blue Wahoos logo beach carry bag.

Saturday: Post-game fireworks show.

Sunday: Military Sunday with discounted tickets for active and retired military, plus kids running the bases afterward.