Alonso's Blast Answered By M-Braves Clout in Rough Loss

Blue Wahoos first baseman Lazaro Alonso disagrees with a strikeout call in the sixth inning Thursday. Alonso homered earlier in the game against the M-Braves. (Bill Vilona)

By Bill Vilona, Senior Writer

July 29, 2021

Lazaro Alonso reacted to a called third strike in the sixth inning with look of exasperation, then bent down in frustration. It became a poignant image in one of the Blue Wahoos toughest nights of the season. Alonso’s second-inning, solo home run – his first in two months for the

Lazaro Alonso reacted to a called third strike in the sixth inning with look of exasperation, then bent down in frustration.

It became a poignant image in one of the Blue Wahoos toughest nights of the season.

Alonso’s second-inning, solo home run – his first in two months for the Blue Wahoos– was a lone bright spot Thursday, after the Mississippi Braves answered with another power display in a 5-1 victory.

The loss amid a big crowd of 4,877 at Blue Wahoos Stadium was Pensacola’s seventh in a row, dropping the team to under .500 at 37-38 for the first time this season.

Like the previous two losses against the M-Braves (43-32), who entered this series on a eight-game losing streak, the Blue Wahoos grabbed an early lead on Alonso’s opposite-field blast. It was the biggest of five hits for the Wahoos.

In the fourth inning, however, the M-Braves took a lead in an eye-popping way. Right fielder Grayson Jenista launched a mammoth homer off Blue Wahoos’ starter Zach McCambley that carried over the video board in right field. His connection on a fastball carried 445-feet toward the water.

Braden Shewmake then hit a two-out double in the inning to give the M-Braves the lead. Justin Dean and Jalen Miller, the 1-2 hitters in the M-Braves’ batting order, later follow with solo homers.

The M-Braves have now clubbed 13 homers in three games off Blue Wahoos pitchers.

Making his fourth start for the Blue Wahoos, McCambley worked into the fifth inning, giving up five hits, four runs with five strikeouts.

After the Blue Wahoos got a pair of baserunners in the third inning, they were unable to get multiple base runners the rest of the game as Mississippi’s pitching dominated.

Five M-Braves pitchers combined to record 20 strikeouts against the Blue Wahoos. That number overtook 19 in a previous game this year against the M-Braves for Pensacola’s season-high whiffs.

But the Blue Wahoos kept a festive atmosphere on another Pensacola Mullets Thursday with the logo uniforms, along with beverage specials and in-game entertainment.

The series continues on a Giveaway Friday with the first 1,000 fans, 21-older, receiving a Blue Wahoos’ designed, Hawaiian style shirt.

GAME NOTABLES: Pensacola’s two U.S. Navy instillations, Naval Air Station-Pensacola and Naval Air Station-Whiting Field, were recognized at before the game Thursday, after being recently chosen as a 2021 Great American Defense Community.

The Commanding Officers of both bases tossed out a First Pitch. The group gathered to enjoy the game at the Dignity Memorial Deck.

Pensacola’s naval bases were among just five across the nation chosen for the award.

The communities chosen were those which, “demonstrate exemplary work in improving the quality of life of military personnel and their families through programs, initiatives and partnerships in their regions,” according to award requirements.

“This is truly wonderful and well deserving news for the Pensacola area. NAS Pensacola and the local communities have a long and storied history dating back 1826 and there has always been tremendous love and respect for the military here,” said Capt. Tim Kinsella, Commanding Officer, NAS-Pensacola. “The base and the surrounding communities are inextricably linked, and always will be. We should all be proud of this recognition.”

Now in its sixth year, the GADC program recognizes the role communities and regions with active military installations have in supporting service members and military families.

--- The game was the seventh home Thursday designated as Pensacola Mullets Night. Each Thursday, the Blue Wahoos transform into the Mullets and wear specialty jerseys with a Mullets logo.

BLUE WAHOOS WEEKEND

WHO: Mississippi Braves vs. Blue Wahoos

WHEN: Friday through Sunday.

WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium

GAMETIMES: Friday night game is at 6:35 p.m., Saturday is 6:05 p.m. Sunday is 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 (Hawaiian design Blue Wahoos dress 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.