Newcomer Trimble Ignites Rally In Wahoos' Comeback Win

Pensacola, Fla. - The Blue Wahoos opted to take batting practice Thursday under the stadium at their indoor facility, then curtailed pregame workouts 30 minutes early.

All of a sudden, their offense turned on brighter than Christmas tree lights.

A day after enduring a 9-0 defeat, Pensacola matched that run total with eight different players reaching base multiple times to win a 9-6 slugfest against the Rocket City Trash Pandas at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

Taking on their alternate identity as the Pensacola Mullets on Mullets Thursday, the team broke an extended slump at the plate to score the second-most runs this season.

It was also the first time the Blue Wahoos (21-15) won a game this season when allowing more than five runs. In this case, they also tied the game twice in the first four innings, then exploded for a five-run sixth inning to pull away.

Centerfielder Fenwick Trimble, who joined the team Tuesday in a promotion from the Beloit Sky Carp, the Miami Marlins' High-A affiliate, had one of the biggest hits, which was also his first hit at the Double-A level. His run-scoring double in the sixth ignited the big rally and he later came around to score on a single.

“Lot of fun,” he said afterward, before getting doused by teammates by an ice bucket in the post-game interview. “These guys are really welcoming and really good to me so far, so it’s a lot of fun.

“I’m just trying to continue what I’ve been doing and see pitches and handle the strike zone and things worked out.”

The team bounced back in a big way from a deflating loss Wednesday on Education Day with school children filling the ballpark. The Blue Wahoos produced 12 hits with Kemp Alderman the most notable. He went 3-for-5 with an RBI in a confidence-building day at the plate.

Johnny Olmstead had two innings, including a second-inning solo home run. Shane Sasaki went 2-for-3 and scored two runs.

In swinging the bats unlike they have done in more than a week, the Blue Wahoos bolstered their pitching staff.

Evan Fitterer struggled in his sixth start, a second rough outing in a row. He worked four innings, allowed four runs, walked five and struck out four. He was relieved by Alex Williams, who joined the team May 11 from Beloit. Williams worked three innings to earn his first Double-A win with the Blue Wahoos, after going three innings, allowing two runs, but no walks.

Dale Stanavich earned his sixth save with two stellar innings to seal the game.

The Blue Wahoos had all of this offense, despite having two runners picked off and two others thrown out at the plate in the first four innings.

But in the fourth inning, the team produced a rally with two out. Five consecutive batters reached base with hits or walks. Sasaki had a run-scoring single, Trimble drew a bases-loaded walk and Jared Serna followed with an RBI hit.

In the sixth inning, trailing 6-4, the Blue Wahoos batted around with eight consecutive batters reaching after one out.

The win game the Blue Wahoos a 2-1 series lead against the Trash Pandas (11-23) heading to the three weekend games.

GAME NOTABLES

--- The Paxton High Bobcats baseball team, who played at Blue Wahoos Stadium in the spring, had their fundraiser event Thursday night at the ballpark, along with the 50-50 Raffle.

--- A Fire Pit cooker, courtesy of sponsor Busch Light, was awarded to a lucky fan during a drawing Thursday.

--- There were 10 different company outings at the ballpark, including one from Naval Air Station-Pensacola who were attending the Building Partners Aviation Capacity Seminar. This was a contingent from of aviation professionals from countries across the world. The airmen consist of the U.S. security cooperation enterprise and NATO alliance.

WANT TO GO?

WHO: Rocket City Trash Pandas vs. Blue Wahoos.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday.

WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.

GAMETIMES: Friday and Saturday games start at 6:05 p.m. Sunday’s game starts at 1:05 p.m.

PROMOTIONS:

Friday is Giveaway Friday with this week’s special being a beach towel to the first 1,000 fans sponsored by Florida Blue. Gates open at 5 p.m.

Saturday is Fireworks Saturday, sponsored this time by Pen Air Credit Union and featuring a post-game display over the water.

Sunday is Military-Family Sunday: The first 100 active or retired military member can receive a free standing room ticket by visiting the stadium box office and showing proof of military ID. Following the game, kids can run the bases and families can toss soft rubber baseballs in the outfield in a promotion sponsored by Great Clips and WKRG-News5.

LIVESTREAM AUDIO: You can listen to the Blue Wahoos broadcast with Erik Bremer and Carter Bainbridge calling the game through www.bluewahoos.com/radio or the MILB App.

LIVESTREAM VIDEO: Available on MiLB.TV (subscription required).

TICKETS: Available at www.bluewahoos.com/tix or the Blue Wahoos Stadium ticket office.