Waldrop provides game's first hit
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Birmingham Barons shortstop Tim Anderson celebrated his 22nd birthday with MVP honors at the Southern League All-Star Game, knocking two extra-base hits as the North Division cruised to a 9-0 victory.
Blue Wahoos ace Robert Stephenson took the loss, allowing four runs on two hits in the second inning. After Chattanooga's Adam Brett Walker II reached on an error and Lookouts teammate Max Kepler drew a walk, Tennessee first baseman Dan Vogelbach blasted a three-run home run to give the North the lead. Anderson added an RBI triple to close the four-run frame.
The South was never able to counter, only once pushing a runner to third base. North Division pitchers retired 12 of the last 15 batters, including four strikeouts, to preserve the shutout.
Kyle Waldrop recorded the game's first hit, a two-out double in the second inning just inside the foul line. His hit was just one of four for the South Division and the team's only extra-base hit. Waldrop, Pensacola's lone starter, played all eight innings in right field and finished 1-4 with a pair of strikeouts.
The North managed a brief two-out rally in the fourth as Anderson doubled to left field and later scored on Johnny Field Jr.'s single. Tim Adleman was able to cool the North's bats, striking out Home Run Derby champion Adam Brett Walker II and retiring the side in order.
The reprieve was short-lived, however. After the North loaded the bases but stranded three runners in the seventh, a local All-Star put the game out of reach in the eighth. Lookouts shortstop Jorge Polanco started the rally with a single against Wahoos closer Kyle McMyne, who pitched to two batters. Miguel Sano's RBI single plated Polanco, attributing the run to McMyne. With the bags packed against Biloxi's Damien Magnifico, Biscuits outfielder Tyler Goeddel lined a bases-clearing triple off the left field wall of his home stadium to cap another four-run inning.
Ray Chang was one of four substitutions for the South, taking over Matt Juengel's spot as the designated hitter in the seventh. Chang flew out twice in his first All-Star appearance since the 2010 Eastern League All-Star Game.
The Wahoos' five active representatives tied for the fourth-most in the league. Chattanooga, who took the first-division crown in the North, fielded seven All-Stars, while South Division leader Biloxi had 10 players in uniform. The Shuckers' 10 participants were the most since 1999, when the league moved the All-Star format to a matchup between two divisions.
Prior to the game, Waldrop was one of six players to participate in the Southern League Home Run Derby. With long balls at a premium, Waldrop's one home run was enough to advance to the second round. The Wahoos outfielder went homerless in the final round, drawing a third-place finish behind Walker and Field. Walker defended his Florida State League title from 2014, knocking nine in the final round to earn the victory.
Pensacola was well represented in the seats as well. A contingent of fans made the trek to Montgomery and joined a crowd of 5,891, sitting behind the first base dugout to cheer on the Wahoos.
The Blue Wahoos return home to play the Jacksonville Suns July 1-3. Come experience the family-fun entertainment, which includes fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday night! You can follow the team at BlueWahoos.com, facebook.com/PensacolaBlueWahoos and twitter.com/BlueWahoosBBall.