Max Meyer Steady Again, But Blue Wahoos Fall Late To M-Braves

Max Meyer pitched through steady rain to start Wednesday's game and produced another solid outing in his five innings of the Blue Wahoos' eventual loss to the Mississippi Braves. (Nino Mendez)

By Bill Vilona, Senior Writer

July 28, 2021

Perhaps the biggest constant in the Blue Wahoos season has been Max Meyer on the mound. He delivered again Wednesday with five solid innings, minus one bump in the second inning, but absorbed another no-decision start that eventually turned into the Mississippi Braves power-surging their way into a 5-2 victory.

Perhaps the biggest constant in the Blue Wahoos season has been Max Meyer on the mound.

He delivered again Wednesday with five solid innings, minus one bump in the second inning, but absorbed another no-decision start that eventually turned into the Mississippi Braves power-surging their way into a 5-2 victory.

The game was halted by lightning near Blue Wahoos Stadium and a soaked field in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Blue Wahoos’ Peyton Burdick was the lead-off batter when umpires stopped the game.

After a consultation with the umpires, both managers and head groundskeeper Dustin Hannah providing radar images of nearby lightning strikes, the game was immediately halted.

The M-Braves broke a 2-2 tie in the seventh inning with a pair of solo home runs, then added another homer in the eighth. In two games, of this series, the M-Braves have blasted 10 home runs against the Blue Wahoos’ bullpen.

Meyer, however, making his 14th start, continued his impressive rookie pro season as the No. 3 overall pick by the Miami Marlins in the 2020 draft.

He recorded seven strikeouts, just one walk, and five hits. It was his ninth no-decision this season. And it was the 11th time in his 14 starts that Meyer has allowed two or less runs in a game.

A sizeable portion among the crowd of 4,101 stayed the entire way to watch the final mid-week fireworks show of the season. They were also entertained throughout the game by the “Ushers vs. Interns” contest in various.

And while the Blue Wahoos have encountered rough luck in recent weeks, one fan at the ballpark took home a $2,000 jackpot on “Winning Wednesday” promotion.

The game started well for the Blue Wahoos. Griffin Conine laced a two-out double in the first inning, then catcher Chris Chinea blasted a two-run homer.

But that was all the offense generated against M-Braves starter Bryce Elder. He worked all seven innings against the Blue Wahoos, giving up just three hits and striking out nine.

Meyer's only rough patch occurred in the second inning. The M-Braves star catcher Shea Langeliers led off with a single. He moved to third on Wendell Rijo's one out single. Meyer and Chinea then seemed crossed up on a series of wild pitches.

The first allowed Langeliers to score. Another allowed Rijo to move to third. After a walk to Greyson Jenista, Meyer's third wild pitch of the inning scored the tying run. He then struck out the next two batters to limit the damage. He faced just one above the minimum the final three innings he pitched.

The Blue Wahoos missed a prime chance to regain the lead in the sixth. Conine drew a one-out walk and Chinea followed with a single. But Elder got Lazaro Alonso to strike out and Demetrius Sims struck out to end the threat with runners in scoring position.

The loss dropped the Blue Wahoos to 37-37 after being 12 games above .500 on July 4.

GAME NOTABLES: The Blue Wahoos hosted “Small Business Night” with nine area small businesses setting up tables along the home plate concourse area and greeting fans.

Among the first pitch guests Wednesday was Rick Fountain, the dean of the University of West Florida College of Business.

The “Winning Wednesday” jackpot totalled $2,000, after a couple recent Wednesday games failed to produce a jackpot winner.

There was an “Ushers vs. Interns” theme throughout the game. It featured some of the Blue Wahoos’ veteran ushers (and most popular) against far younger, summer interns with the Blue Wahoos. They competed in a variety of dancing, singing, trivia, and assorted contests.

The Blue Wahoos were able to host five Wednesday night, “School’s Out” fireworks shows in June and July that attracted crowd of more than 4,000 each game.

BLUE WAHOOS HOMESTAND

WHO: Mississippi Braves vs. Blue Wahoos

WHEN: Thursday through Sunday (Aug. 1).

WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium

GAMETIMES: Thursday and Friday night games start at 6:35 p.m., Saturday is 6:05, Sunday is 4:05.

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.

TV: Livestream on MILB-TV (subscription required).

PROMOTIONS: Thursday -- Thirsty Thursday (adult beverage specials), plus Pensacola Mullets Night.

Friday – Giveaway Friday (Hawaiian design Blue Wahoos shirts for first 1,000 fans 21-up).

Saturday – Fireworks after game.

Sunday – Military Sunday and Family Day with kids able to run bases and family toss in outfield.