Blue Wahoos Take Series Over Generals

PENSACOLA, Fla., - The Pensacola Blue Wahoos finally gave Amir Garrett his first Double-A victory by knocking three dingers and scoring nine runs Monday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

Garrett left the game to a standing ovation from the crowd of 3,512, as he retired the last 12 batters he faced in the Blue Wahoos third straight victory over the Jackson Generals, 9-3.

"I didn't even know what to do," Garrett said sheepishly. "Do I throw my hands up and wave to the crowd? The Blue Wahoos fans really love baseball and they really love the Blue Wahoos. I appreciate that."

Garrett, who is 1-2 in four starts with a 1.46 ERA, finally got some run support from his teammates this season. The southpaw, who is the Cincinnati Reds No. 3 prospect, has allowed four earned runs in 24.2 innings pitched but the Blue Wahoos have backed him up with just three runs until Monday's outburst.

"It's a big thing to get that first win in Double-A," said Garrett, who had season-highs of 6.2 innings pitched and nine strikeouts. He allowed just two hits. "I'm really happy. When we get on the board first, I'm very confident I can win the ballgame. These guys will come around most of the time for me. I'll bet on that."

The floodgates opened Monday with Pensacola winning its third straight game by having its first multiple home run game of the season. They blasted three with center fielder Tony Renda, right fielder Phillip Ervin and left fielder Sebastian Elizalde all knocking it out on a windy night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said he's confident with the team's strong starting rotation that the Blue Wahoos can't lose, if they hit like they have this series. The Blue Wahoos clinched the five-game series with Jackson by going up, 3-1, after breaking out with 32 hits in 102 at bats for a .314 batting average the past three games. That comes after hitting .167 in its last series against the Biloxi Shuckers on the road.

"With our pitching we just need a few runs," Kelly said. "(Garrett) was super. He got stronger as the game went along."

One of Garrett's biggest strikeouts came in the fifth inning when he showed some emotion after striking out Jackson catcher Steve Baron after five foul balls and eight pitches. His career-high is 12 strikeouts, which he did last year with the High-A Daytona Tortugas and for the first time in 2013 with the Low-A Dayton Dragons.

"I threw everything at him but the kitchen sink," Garrett said. "He was pushing my pitch count up. He's a great hitter. These guys are more advanced. They don't swing at too many pitches."

Elizalde, who went 2-4 with a double, home run and four RBIs, said he was happy that the offense came through for Garrett. Elizalde, who hit his second home run this series, extended his hitting streak to a team-high nine games this season and is now 9-22, batting .409 during his streak.

"(Garrett) was really aggressive early in the count and was in a good groove," said Elizalde, who extended his hitting streak to nine games. "I'm definitely happy we could help him get that first win."

Pensacola right fielder Phillip Ervin started a two-out two run rally in the bottom of the first inning when he lined a stand up double to left field. Third baseman Eric Jagielo followed with a walk. That's when left fielder Elizalde crushed a fly ball over Jackson center fielder Guillermo Heredia head that he chased down at the warning track, allowing both Ervin and Jagielo to score and put the Blue Wahoos up, 2-0.

Again in the second inning the Blue Wahoos scored two runs with two outs. Pensacola shortstop Calten Daal, playing in his first game after suffering a concussion in the season opener when a pitch hit him in the head, singled to center field. Center fielder Tony Renda then sent the ball over the left field wall for a two-out, two-run homer putting Pensacola up, 4-0.

Pensacola's Ervin generated a run in the third inning when he walked to lead off the third inning, stole second base, went to third on a Jagielo sacrifice fly ball to right field, and scored when Elizalde hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield, giving the Blue Wahoos a 5-0 lead.

GAME NOTES

Pensacola hosts the final game of a five-game series at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners Double-A affiliate Jackson Generals. Pitching for the Generals is RHP Brett Ash (2-1, 2.87) who faces RHP Homer Bailey (MLB Rehab).

Because the Blue Wahoos scored more than five runs Monday, fans win with 50 percent off online Papa John's orders by using promo code 'WAHOOS' on Sunday.

Fat Tuesday is back! Fans have a chance to buy individuals tickets to the Winn-Dixie Party Deck for an all-you-can-eat buffet for 90 minutes. This features unlimited hamburgers, hot dogs and popcorn along with samples from Moe's Southwest Grill, Papa John's, Hemingway's Island Grill, Newk's Eatery and Pita Pit. As part of the Blue Wahoos Fat Tuesday celebration, fans can enjoy the Salute to the Pretzel.

The games are broadcast live on the Blue Wahoos flagship station 97.1 The Ticket. Listen for free at bluewahoos.com and by using the TuneIn Radio app on your mobile, desktop or home devices. Stream Wahoos games on MiLB.TV, a subscription-based service provided by Minor League Baseball.

BIG FISH Pensacola right fielder Phillip Ervin went 2-3 with a stand up double and home run, scoring three times and knocking in two RBIs…Left fielder Sebastian Elizalde extended his hitting streak to nine games on a double and home run in four at bats for four RBIs…Center fielder Tony Renda was 1-5 with his first home run of the season, which was a two-run bomb over the left field fence…In his first game off the disabled list, shortstop Calten Daal was 2-4 with a run scored.

BLUE WAHOOS #99 RACECAR American stock car racing driver Junior Niedecken, a native of Pensacola, will be at the game Tuesday to throw out a first pitch and sign autographs during the game. Fans can show up early to see the No. 99 Blue Wahoos race car outside of the ballpark.

The 59-year-old Niedecken, who has competed in NASCAR, is a three-time champion of the Grand American Stock Car series, winning the series' national championship back to back in 1980 and 1981. He competed in the Busch Series for Sims Brothers Racing in four races during the 1984 season, posting a best finish of ninth at Darlington Raceway. He finished 12th in All Pro Super Series standings in 1988.

Niedecken has competed in the Snowball Derby in Pensacola twenty-eight times, finishing second in the event in 1990.

Celebrate five seasons of baseball in Pensacola! Tickets are available for purchase at Hill-Kelly Dodge Pick-Up Window and by calling (850) 934-8444. Follow the team at BlueWahoos.com, facebook.com/PensacolaBlueWahoos and twitter.com/BlueWahoosBBall.

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