Pensacola Shuts Down Birmingham 2-0

Pensacola starting pitcher Tim Crabbe, along with relievers Curtis Partch and Donnie Joseph, combined for the team's fourth shutout win, while pinch hitter Josh Fellhauer launched an eighth inning two-run homer to give the Blue Wahoos a 2-0 win over the Birmingham Barons on Tuesday night at Pensacola's multi-use stadium.

The win gives the Blue Wahoos a 3-2 series victory and improves their record to 19-21, while the defeat drops Birmingham to a 21-19 mark in 2012.

Crabbe (7.0 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 SO) tossed his best outing of the year despite not receive a decision after yielding six hits in seven scoreless frames, while Partch and Joseph combined for two perfect innings of relief. Partch (1.0 IP, 2 SO) earned the win and struck out two before Joseph (1.0 IP, 3 SO) notched his seventh save of the year after striking out the side in the ninth. Barons starter Jose Quintana (7.0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 8 SO) did not factor in the decision either despite allowing just two hits in addition to eight strikeouts in seven scoreless frames, while RHP Henry Mabee (1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 SO) suffered the loss after allowing the two earned runs on two hits in one frame.

Both offenses were held quiet until the eighth, when Fellhauer broke the scoreless draw with his second homer of the year. DH P.J. Phillips reached with a one out single up the middle before the pinch hitter came to the plate and launched the 0-1 pitch over the left field wall to make it 2-0.

Birmingham had a runner past second base once, with a solid defensive play in the fourth keeping them off the scoreboard. After Barons 1B Seth Loman led off the frame with a double, C Damaso Espino lined a single up the middle to Pensacola CF Ryan LaMarre. Loman was waived home on the play as LaMarre fired a strike home to C Mark Fleury, who held on to the ball after colliding with Loman to end the inning and prevent the run.

Loman and Espino were the lone batters to record multi-hit efforts for either side, while SS Tyler Saladino reached base three times via a free pass. No Blue Wahoos batters collected two or more hits, though LaMarre and SS Didi Gregorius each did make it on base twice.

Pensacola has an off-day Wednesday and will travel to Jacksonville in preparation for their five-game series with the Suns, with the opening game set for Thursday night at 7:35 ET. LHP Jose Alvarez is expected to get the start for Jacksonville in the first game, while the Blue Wahoos are expected to give the ball J.C. Sulbaran.