Healthy Kerrigan Helps Leads Blue Wahoos 7-5 Win

An illness caused Jimmy Kerrigan to miss nearly a month of games.
His return in the Pensacola Blue Wahoos lineup has provided a noticeable lift at a needed time.
The centerfielder drove in three runs with a pair of hits Tuesday night, as the Blue Wahoos outlasted the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 7-5 and kept their share of first place in the league standings, amid a crowd of 4,001 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
"I just feel better. I just feel stronger and I feel like I am in good shape," said Kerrigan, who has eight hits and seven RBI since returning to the lineup May 28, following his placement on the injured list April 23. "I feel healthy and confident at the plate right now."
His batting average has risen nearly 40 points in the week he's been back.
Kerrigan delivered a two-out, two-run single in the second inning Tuesday to give the Blue Wahoos a quick lead. After the Jumbo Shrimp tied the game with a pair of runs in the sixth inning, he singled home a run in the bottom half as part of two-run response to regain the lead.
"Jimmy is the type of player, who is high energy. He plays with passion," said Blue Wahoos manager Ramon Borrego. "Obviously he was fresh, after the month we lost him.
"Right now he's excited to be back and he's taking better at bats right nowHis defense hasbeen great. It's unbelievable the defense."
If the ball is the park, Kerrigan usually tracks it down, as he did with five putouts in the first four innings Tuesday night. His Blue Wahoos uniform showed the performance efforts with dirt stains from shoulder to knees.
"I feel really good," Kerrigan said, after signing autographs in the clubhouse tunnel area following the game. "I've been working to get back. I was down for a little while.
"These guys are in the middle of the playoff hunt so it's a fun time to come back. And try to compete and win every day, take care of business and get to the playoffs."
Once again, the Biloxi Shuckers kept pace in the Southern League South Division with their win Tuesday against the Mississippi Braves. The Shuckers are 16-4 in the past 20 games. The two teams play a pivotal series beginning Friday in Biloxi, Miss. that could determine the first-half division winner.
With home games against Jacksonville remaining Wednesday and Thursday, the Blue Wahoos are trying to do their part while battling through roster changes due to some injuries and organization decisions.
Four roster moves were made Tuesday.
"We're dropping like flies right now. We've lost a lot of pitchers, but the pitchers we have now are coming through for us and we got a couple new position players," he said. "We are a scrappy bunch. We are going to get to the playoffs and get a ring.
"If we just keep doing what we are doing we are going to be all right."
The Blue Wahoos had 12 hits Tuesday. Jacksonville had 11. In the eighth inning, the Blue Wahoos got a pair of runs when Jaylin Davis singled to score Travis Blankenhorn, who led off the inning with a double.
Newcomer Ryan Costello, a first baseman called up from the Fort Myers Miracle, the Minnesota Twins High-A affiliate, followed with his first Double-A hit, a single scoring Ben Rortvedt for a 7-3 lead.
The Jumbo Shrimp got two runs in the ninth inning off reliever Jeff Ames on singles from Brian Miller and Stone Garrett. With two outs the go-ahead run at the plate, Borrego summoned Sam Clay, who struck out Billy Fleming on three pitches to end the game and earned his fourth save.
"That was a little drama, but (Clay) was able to finish that inning," Borrego said. "He has been competing in this league two years already, so he's used to those kind of situations."
The Blue Wahoos' Jorge Alcala, the only remaining pitcher in the starting rotation since the season-opening weekend, worked 5.2 innings, giving up eight hits, three runs and striking out four in a no-decision.
"Alcala threw the ball well," Borrego said. "He had a couple soft hits in the sixth (inning)."
Tom Hackimer earned the win, throwing 1.2 innings of scoreless relief and didn't allow a hit.
Blackenhorn had another big night at the plate, going 3-for-4 and scoring two runs to boost his average to .312. Davis went 2-for-3 and also reached base twice on walks.
Caleb Hamilton, who continues to grind it out behind the plate, went 2-for-4 with an RBI. He scorched a leadoff hit to third base to start the second inning and scored the Blue Wahoos first run.
The Blue Wahoos will continue with the ninth game of their extended homestand Wednesday against the Jumbo Shrimp at 6:35 p.m. It will feature the "Wine and Sign Wednesday" with two select players signing autographs for fans in the Bait and Tackle Store behind home plate, along with wine drink specials for adults at the ballpark. 
BALLPARK MEMORIES
The Fairhope (Ala.) 7-Under Small Park All-Stars had a full day at the stadium. They arrived hours early for a tour of the park and a variety of pictures.
The young players then waited until players began coming out of the clubhouse and to get autographs. Starting pitcher Jorge Alcala took time to sign every young kid's request prior to beginning his pregame routine.
The young players then ran out with the Blue Wahoos players during the game introductions.
The promotion for the night was a spoof off Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, the 1989 comedy movie. Several of the in-game contests were patterned from the movie.
This was also a Fat Tuesday night where fans for $24 apiece gained entrance to the Winn Dixie Party Deck for a 90-minute buffet, soda and water, and a Blue Wahoos hat.