Gutierrez, Wahoos Take Series Opener, 6-1

PEARL, Miss. - Vladimir Gutierrez got some late run support in back of another excellent start in the Blue Wahoos series-opening win, 6-1, over the Mississippi Braves Thursday night at Trustmark Park.
Gutierrez allowed just one unearned run over seven strong innings to earn his fifth win in his last six starts. He walked three M-Braves and they scattered five hits against him, but he pitched out of trouble most of the night with the help of a season-best nine strikeouts. The lone run he allowed scored on an error in the second inning, it was an answer to the unearned run the Blue Wahoos scored in the top of the inning.
With the game tied 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Aristides Aquino threw out Tyler Marlette trying to score from second base on a two-out single. That seemed to wake up the Wahoos. In the top of the seventh, Taylor Sparks belted a three-run home run to put Pensacola in front 4-1. The next inning, Gavin LaValley launched a two-run home run to make it a 6-1 ballgame.
Sparks paced the offense with Pensacola's only multi-hit game going 2-for-4 with three RBI. Luis Gonzalez quietly had a nice night at the plate. He reached base in all four plate appearances with three walks and a single.
Pensacola will look to make it two straight Friday night behind Reds #4 prospect Tony Santillan (1-0, 1.50) who makes his second double-A start facing Braves #12 prospect Bryse Wilson (2-5, 4.18). First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. from Trustmark Park.
- Pensacola Blue Wahoos -
 
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Home games are played at beautiful Blue Wahoos Stadium on Pensacola Bay. Group packages, season tickets, mini plans and single-game tickets are available for the 2018 season by calling (850) 934-8444 or online. Follow the Blue Wahoos at bluewahoos.com, facebook.com/PensacolaBlueWahoos, and twitter.com/BlueWahoosBBall