McCambley Spins Gem, Bleday Rakes Again In Pensacola Win

Zach McCambley has strived for an experience like this, a game where everything clicked and his pitches located just where he wanted.

He made it happen Thursday in a gratifying way.

The power-throwing righthander did not allow a hit in five innings, rebounded from recent rough outings with a near-flawless performance to deliver his first Double-A win in his rookie pro season, amid the Blue Wahoos’ 5-2 win against the Montgomery Biscuits.

“It’s just been a grind, trying to figure out myself as a baseball player,” said McCambley, a third-round selection in 2020 by the Miami Marlins out of Coastal Carolina University.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you it felt good,” McCambley said. “Getting my first (Double-A) win under my belt. I’ve been here for five or six starts, so to finally get that first one means a load to me.

His sixth start Thursday went a whole lot better than his last one. A week ago against Biloxi, he yielded eight hits and four home runs in 3.2 innings of an eventual 10-2 loss.

But Thursday at Blue Wahoos Stadium, the 22-year-old continued his progression by relying on a dominant fastball that produced eight strikeouts in the 17 batters he faced.

“At the end of the day, baseball is hard,” McCambley said. :We all know this. It’s one of the hardest sports out there. I’ve gone through many ups and downs in my career so far, even in college.”

With it being a Thursday game, the team wore their specialty uniforms on Pensacola Mullets Night -- a night after the “Crabzilla” promotion and wild uniforms resulted in a 7-2 win.

When McCambley exited after five innings and 71 pitches, his teammates had staked a 4-0 lead behind another big night from leadoff hitter J.J. Bleday.

Extending his strong week at the plate, the Marlins’ No. 1 pick (fourth overall) in 2019, Bleday cracked a two-run double in his first at-bat. He then scored on Jerar Encarnacion’s 448-foot homer over the center field batter’s eye background.

Bleday, the former Vanderbilt star and Panama City-Mosley High graduate, then hit a 2-run homer in the fourth and drove in a third run with his long sacrifice fly to deep center in the sixth inning.

In three games against the Biscuits, Bleday has reached base nine times with two homers and six RBI. He credits a more patient approach to boosting production.

“A lot of it is (taking) step back and not speed the game up on me,” Bleday said. “I feel like I’ve been trying to overdo it, trying to be somebody I’m not. So kinda taking a step back, just relaxing, having some fun and put together some good Abs (at bats).

“I’ve been tinkering all year long. And I think it’s been a comfort thing, mainly, mentally. Just trying to feel where I am. As hitters we know when we’re going good and we know when we’re going bad.”

First baseman Lazaro Alonso had one of his best games, as well, in recent time. He collected as part of Pensacola’s nine hits in the game and also made several good defensive plays on hard-hit grounders.

The bullpen stood out for the second night, too. Relievers Zack LeBan, Alberto Guerrero and Colton Hock recorded six strikeouts and allowed just three hits in their combined four innings. Hock earned his 13th save.

BLUE WAHOOS WEEKEND

WHO: Montgomery Biscuits vs. Blue Wahoos

WHEN: Friday Through Sunday.

WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.

GAMETIMES: Friday at 6:35 p.m; Saturday at 6:05 p.m. and Sunday at 4:05 p.m..

TICKETS: Available for all games at www.bluewahoos.com, the stadium box office or calling 850-934-8444.

RADIO: ESPN-Pensacola (99.1 FM, 1330 AM), Chris Garagiola on play-by-play.

PROMOTIONS: Friday: Giveaway Friday with the first 2,000 fans receiving a bobblehead “Hill-Kelly Hillsdale” sponsored by Hill-Kelly Dodge Chrysler.

Saturday: Fireworks Night following game.

Sunday: Military Sunday with discounted tickets for active and retired military. plus kids can run the bases after the game and families can toss baseballs in the outfield for 30 minutes.