Davis, De La Trinidad Power Wahoos To 8-5 Easter Sunday Win

The Blue Wahoos runaway lead had suddenly become tenuous, applying pressure on reliever Dusten Knight to close an Easter Sunday game in his own special way.
Pensacola fans have learned what to expect next.
Knight punctuated the Blue Wahoos 8-5 victory against the Mobile BayBears at Blue Wahoos Stadium with his signature backflip, after recording his fourth save in four attempts. The three-hour game featured 22 hits, including 13 for extra bases, before Knight sealed the deal.
"I love that feeling. I love the adrenalin that comes with it," said Knight, 28, an Oklahoma native, who pitched in the San Francisco Giants organization before the Minnesota Twins acquired him in December. "I love the excitement.
"And I love being that guy out there who helps my team win. It is what every relief pitcher lives for. That is our dream job to have."
The game started in a dream way for the Blue Wahoos (12-5), after they built an 8-0 lead in the fourth inning with a pair of home runs and sent nine batters to the plate in the third inning. Jaylin Davis, who went 2-for-5, hit a two-run homer in the inning.
But Mobile (6-10) rallied for five runs in the fifth, highlighted by two home runs against Blue Wahoos starter Jorge Alcala. Prior that point, Alcala had allowed just one hit and struck out seven.
"I think he tried to overthrow in the fifth when things went a little bit south, but we managed it well and won the game," said Blue Wahoos manager Ramon Borrego. "In baseball, you always have these moments to gain experience from. I think after he walked the first guy (to lead off the fifth) he tried to do too much.
"He will regroup for the next start. He's a young guy. He's been successful so far."
The BayBears loaded the bases in the eighth inning when the pivotal play occurred. Knight was summoned to replace Minnesota Twins' reliever Gabriel Moya, who is on a injury rehab assignment. Moya had struck out the first two batters when trouble ensued with two walks and a single.
Knight's second pitch bounced away from catcher Brian Navaretto. But when the ball caromed directly back to Navarreto, he had runner Roberto Peña caught in a run down.
"As soon as threw it, I said, 'Oh no.' Because it went straight to the dirt," Knight said. "It was a curve ball I started too low. It got a good kick off the net. Navaretto made a great cat-like play on it and it was great to get that rally stopped."
Eventually, third baseman Caleb Hamilton finished the 2-4-3-5 putout by running down Pena before he touched home.
"We don't hesitate. That's the good thing," Borrego said. "We try to get the out where we need it. That was a really good play."
In the ninth, Knight retired the BayBears in order, striking out the final two batters.
"Dusten has been doing great for us," Borrego said. "He's been throwing the ball really well."
Hamilton finished 3-for-5 at the plate with a pair of an RBI. Taylor Grzelakowski had a two-run double in the fourth inning.
The win extended the Blue Wahoos (12-5) fast start and put them in position to clinch a fourth consecutive series Monday night (6:35 p.m.) against the BayBears (6-10). The teams will continue the series on Tuesday and Wednesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
BALLPARK MEMORIES
This was only the second Easter Sunday home game in franchise history. The previous was in the Blue Wahoos inaugural 2012 season.
Hours before the game, Marcus Point Baptist Church staged its annual Sonrise Easter Sunday service for all denominations and filled the stadium. After the service, the team assembling the stage and chuch service had finished its work by late morning and the stadium and field were ready for the 5 p.m. game.
Kids ran the bases following the game, which was co-sponsored by McDonald's and WKRG TV.