Devers Is Mullets' Man With Big Homer, Four RBI In Win On Specialty Night
This has been a shining week for Jose Devers, amid his turnaround second half of the season. Two nights after producing a dramatic, two-run, walk-off winning hit, Devers delivered in another big way Thursday with a 3-run homer and four RBI in Pensacola’s 5-4 victory against the Birmingham Barons As
This has been a shining week for Jose Devers, amid his turnaround second half of the season.
Two nights after producing a dramatic, two-run, walk-off winning hit, Devers delivered in another big way Thursday with a 3-run homer and four RBI in Pensacola’s 5-4 victory against the Birmingham Barons
As customary on a Thursday night, the Blue Wahoos wore their uniforms and transformed their name into Pensacola Mullets .
With Miami Marlins general manager Kim Ng watching – her first visit this season to Blue Wahoos Stadium – Devers continued his strong August, going 2-for-4 in his third multi-hit performance in the last four games. He also flashed his defensive skills by helping turn a pair of double plays and his range on ground balls.
The performance helped provide the run support for starter Zach King to earn his first Double-A win. King. 24, who was elevated July 1 to the Blue Wahoos from High-A Beloit Sky Carp, completed six innings for the first time at this level. He allowed just one run, two walks and had five strikeouts.
The lefthander, rated No. 28 among Marlins’ prospects, entered with an 0-3 record and 11.90 ERA in a learning experience at a higher level.
In addition to those players, J.D. Orr wowed the crowd his sensational throw from right field in the fourth inning to nab the Barons Yosiqui Cespedes trying to score from second base on a single. Cespedes, who has good speed, arrived just after Orr’s no-bounce, rifle throw beat him to the plate and catcher Will Banfield applied the tag.
The proved to be a pivotal moment in the game. The Barons got a 3-run homer in the eighth inning from Oscar Colas off Blue Wahoos reliever Robinson Martinez.
Cespedes then extended the rally with a double. Blue Wahoos manager Kevin Randel summoned new closer Dylan Bice who ended the inning on a pop out, then earned his second save in the ninth by getting Rodriguez to line out to Orr to end the game.
Ng (pronounced Ang), the highest-ranking female executive of any team in Major League Baseball and the first woman general manager of the four top leagues (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB) in North America, is in her second season with the Marlins.
A year ago, she watched Devers play 21 games for the Marlins. He started off this season in a prolonged struggle.
But since his average dipped to .127 on June 21, the 22-year-old Devers has raised it nearly 100 points to .221 and has driven in 10 of his 26 RBI this season in the last six days.
In the third inning Thursday, Devers laced a single to score Nasim Nunez and give the Blue Wahoos a 4-1 lead. They got the eventual winning run in the sixth inning on Cobie Fletcher-Vance’s single to score Bubba Hollins.
The Blue Wahoos (53-48) will continue their six-game homestand against the Barons on “Giveaway Friday” with the first 1,000 fans receiving a backpack, courtesy of sponsor Columbia Southern University.
GAME NOTABLES
--- The win improved the Blue Wahoos record against the Southern League’s North Division teams to 24-9 and their record at Blue Wahoos Stadium to 33-21.
--- Even with all the rain Thursday, the Blue Wahoos’ grounds crew and front office staff was able to get the field ready for play at the scheduled 6:35 p.m. first pitch. But the weather did affect the crowd which appeared one of the smallest this season at 2,567.
BLUE WAHOOS WEEKEND
WHO: Birmingham Barons vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Friday through Sunday.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
GAMETIMES: Friday’s game begins at 6:35 p.m. Saturday’s game starts at 6:05 p.m., Sunday at 4:05 p.m.
TICKETS: Available online at www.bluewahoos.com/tickets. Or at stadium box office during regular business hours Monday through Friday or by calling 850-934-8444.
RADIO: ESPN-Pensacola (99.1 FM and 1330 AM and WYCT 98.7 HD4).
TV: YurView (check provider) and MILB.tv (streaming) through www.milb.com/live-stream-games with subscription discount using BLUE WAHOOS.
PROMOTIONS: Friday: Giveaway Friday – The first 1,000 fans will receive Blue Wahoos backpack, provided by sponsor Columbia Southern University.
Saturday: Fireworks Saturday and D.I.Y Jersey Night – Each Blue Wahoos player will take field in a different, specialty jersey designed by fans. An in-game auction will occur. Post-game fireworks follow.
Sunday: Family Sunday – Kids can run one lap around the bases following the game and families can toss baseballs in the outfield for 30 minutes following the game.