Johnston's Big Swings Lead Blue Wahoos To Franchise-Tying Streak 

Pensacola, Fla. – Troy Johnston had his bat cooled to begin this week against the Mississippi Braves.

He made up for it Thursday on a Pensacola Mullets night that tied a piece of franchise history.

Johnston blasted his fifth homer of the season in the third inning, then produced the go-ahead runs in the seventh as Pensacola beat the M-Braves 6-3 for their eighth consecutive win. It delighted a crowd of 4,578 at Blue Wahoos Stadium and matched the longest winning streak in club history, which was first set in 2017, then again in 2018.

A chance at the record awaits on a Friday night in a game that includes a fan giveaway item and the Blue Wahoos taking on another name change as the Pensacola Pok-ta-Pok in participation with the Copa de la Diversión initiative in Minor League Baseball.

Last week, Johnson tied the team record for single-game production with a two-homer, six-RBI game in a win against Montgomery.

After going 1-for-8 in the first two games of this series -- hitless in seven prior plate trips -- Johnston returned to his clutch-hitting ways. He came up with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh. He laced a 3-1 fastball pitch into right center for a two-run single to provide a 4-3 lead.

That pivotal moment was followed by Dane Myers’ sacrifice fly to score José Devers. Joe Rizzo then hit an RBI single to score Johnston.

The four-run rally was a big lift for Blue Wahoos starter Patrick Monteverde, named earlier Thursday as the Southern League Pitcher of the Month. He retired 16 of the first 18 batters he faced before the only dent in his six outings this season.

He gave out a one-out single, then consecutive walks to load the bases. The M-Braves Landon Stevens followed with a two-run single for the lead and ended Monteverde’s night.

But the Blue Wahoos bullpen was again flawless with relievers Austin Roberts (W, 2-0), Brady Puckett and Sean Reynolds (S, 3) combining for 3.1 scoreless innings, one hit, four strikeouts, no walks. Roberts got his second win.

Jose Devers manufactured the Blue Wahoos' first run with his pop fly double, then went third on a wild pitch and utilized his speed to score on a second wild pitch.

The fourth game of the series is Friday at 6:35 p.m. with Pensacola’s M.D. Johnson (0-1, 4.00) going against AJ Smith-Shawyer (0-0).

It’s Giveaway Friday with the first 1,000 fans receiving Blue Wahoos socks, courtesy of sponsor Woodlands Medical Specialists. The game will also feature Pensacola’s first Copa Night, combined with the celebration of Cinco de Mayo. The Blue Wahoos will wear specialty uniforms as the Pensacola Pok-Ta-Pok, honoring a precursor to game played in 1650 BC, as part of Pensacola’s extensive Spanish-speaking and indigenous heritage.

The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Mississippi Braves on Friday evening. First pitch from Blue Wahoos Stadium is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CT, with a live broadcast beginning at 6:30 on BlueWahoos.com, the MiLB First Pitch app (radio), Bally Live and MiLB.tv (video) and WFGX MyTV 35 (local television). For more information, visit BlueWahoos.com or call the box office at (850) 934-8444.

GAME NOTABLES

--- The game was the second Thursday for the Blue Wahoos wearing their new lime green/blue Pensacola Mullets uniforms in a nod to the second-place nickname a decade ago when team nickname was chosen in a fan vote.

--- The Blue Anchor Belles performed the National Anthem.

--- Among the groups in attendance were Pete Moore Chevrolet on the Winn-Dixie party deck and the Riverside Wealth Advisors on the Dignity Memorial Deck.