Hudson Knocks in Three Runs as Wahoos Top Barons

PENSACOLA, Fla., - The Pensacola Blue Wahoos have struggled since Tyler Mahle threw a perfect game against the Mobile BayBears April 22.
The antidote? Playing a home series against the Birmingham Barons with the worst record (11-20), worst ERA (4.52) and tied for the worst in hitting (.210) in the Southern League.

But it didn't get easy Monday until the fifth inning when Pensacola batted around to score five runs on its way to a 6-2 victory in front of 3,647 at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Both catcher Joe Hudson and left fielder Tyler Goeddel came up with clutch two-out singles that drove in pairs of runs.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly joked that the team scored more than five runs for the first time since April 20 because they left their bat bags in Chattanooga.
"The last 15 games we've had to scramble to score two runs," Kelly said. "I talked to them in Chattanooga. I said, 'I'm not going to chew you out but we have to take advantage of the opportunities we get.' To me it wasn't a lack of effort. We were trying to get them to relax."
Hudson ripped a single into the left center gap that drove in both first baseman Angelo Gumbs and DH Eric Jagielo for a, 3-1, Blue Wahoos lead. Goeddel, who spent 2016 with the Philadelphia Phillies, hit a chopper that made it into center field and scored Hudson and center fielder Brian O'Grady to put Pensacola up, 6-1.
Goeddel got on base four out of his five times at the plate, with a double and two RBIs. The 24-year-old has provided a spark to Pensacola's lineup in his six games with the club going 8-21, or .381 with four RBIs.
Hudson hit a two-out double in the fourth inning to drive in second baseman Alex Blandino to tie the game, 1-1. Hudson was 2-4 with a double, run scored and three RBIs.
For Hudson, the difference at the plate was changing his walk up song to "Believer" by Imagine Dragons released earlier this year. He heard it on the radio on his way to Monday's game.
"I was listening to that song on my way to the field today," Hudson said. "I thought, 'What do I have to lose?' Baseball is a really odd game. Changing your walk-up song can get you thinking a different way."
The star of the game, though, had time to sign a baseball and take a photo with wheel-chair bound Bernice Crain, who turned 85 today, after attending her first Blue Wahoos baseball game.
Although, Hudson is batting .212 this season, Hudson's on-base percentage is .333.
"Those are two huge situations," Kelly said. "That's how you win ball games."
Birmingham scored first to go up, 1-0, in the first inning when DH Cameron Seltzer hit a weak fly ball off the handle into short left field to drive in second baseman Jake Peter, who doubled into the right field corner.
"They got that cheap run in the first inning," Kelly said. "But (Mahle) kept pitching."
Meanwhile, Mahle enjoyed getting the most run support in his seven starts from the Blue Wahoos offense.
The 22-year-old right-hander worked six innings, allowed five hits, two runs, a walk and struck out seven. He now leads the Southern League in wins at 5-0 and strikeouts with 48 in 43.2 innings pitched.
Mahle's only blemish was giving up his second home run of the season to Birmingham first baseman Keon Barnum. He pulled a solo homer - his seventh of the year that ties for first in the Southern League - over the right field fence just above the glove of a leaping Gabriel Guerrero.
Pensacola relievers Ariel Hernández and Geoff Broussard who pitched a final three scoreless innings combining for four Ks and one hit.
Pensacola remains tied with the Mississippi Braves for first place in the South Division with a 16-15 record.
Kelly is thankful the team won a franchise record eight games to start the season.
"One of the advantages of winning eight straight is you can absorb a streak like the games we've been through," he said.
GAME NOTES
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos host the second game of the five-game series against the Chicago White Sox Double-A affiliate Birmingham Barons at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday, May 9. The Barons are starter is RHP Michael Kopech (1-2, 3.00) against the Blue Wahoos RHP Domingo Tapia (1-1, 3.00 ERA).
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.
For Tuesday only, fans can treat themselves to the Margarita Shrimp Taco with Corn Salsa and Slaw, topped with a lime crema (sour cream with lime juice and salt). Get two tacos for $9 at Port Side Grille.
Fans have a chance to buy individuals tickets for Fat Tuesday to the Winn-Dixie Party Deck for an all-you-can-eat buffet for 90 minutes. This includes a Blue Wahoos cap and unlimited hamburgers, hot dogs and popcorn along with samples from Moe's Southwest Grill and Papa John's.
BIG FISH Catcher Joe Hudson went 2-4 with two two-out hits that drove in three runs and scored once…Left fielder Tyler Goeddel was 3-4 with a double and drove in two runs…DH Eric Jagielo went 2-5 and scored a run…Right fielder Gabriel Guerrero was 2-5 for his 14^th multi-hit game this season.
SUPPORT THE TROOPS During the month of May, the Blue Wahoos and Whataburger are teaming up to collect donations for USO Northwest Florida. The USO will deliver the items directly to the troops currently serving the United States. Fans who donate during the drive will receive a coupon for a free Whataburger. This week fans can drop off individually wrapped salty and sweet snacks, such as granola bars, trail mix, peanuts, crackers, chips, etc. Bottled water and canned soda will be accepted all month long.
Tickets to the 2017 Southern League All-Star Game are on sale now! Purchase tickets online at bluewahoos.com or visiting the Box Office. Orders can also be placed over the phone by calling 850-934-8444. The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are the Double-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of the Southern League. Follow the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at BlueWahoos.com, facebook.com/PensacolaBlueWahoos and twitter.com/BlueWahoosBBall.
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