MOBILE, Ala. - After Gavin LaValley drove in four in the series-opening win, the Wahoos first baseman was at it again as he delivered a two-run home run in Thursday's 4-2 win at Hank Aaron Stadium.With the Wahoos trailing 2-0 in the top of the fifth, Narciso Crook singled off
MOBILE, Ala. - After Gavin LaValley drove in four in the series-opening win, the Wahoos first baseman was at it again as he delivered a two-run home run in Thursday's 4-2 win at Hank Aaron Stadium.
With the Wahoos trailing 2-0 in the top of the fifth, Narciso Crook singled off Daniel Procopio to bring the tying run to the plate. LaValley timed up the 2-0 pitch perfectly and crushed Procopio's offering over the left-field fence to tie the game at 2-2.
Similar to Wednesday night's game, the Wahoos scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning. Shed Long led off the frame with a single off Zac Ryan (L, 1-3) and then eventually stole second base. The next batter, Mitch Nay, struck out, but the pitch kicked away from BayBears catcher Jack Kruger to allow Long to advance to third. Crook then tapped a slow roller up the first base line, which allowed Long to score the go-ahead run.
Vladimir Gutierrez (W, 9-9) was excellent outside of the second inning. Jose Rojas and Zach Gibbons led off the second with back-to-back doubles to take a quick 1-0 lead. After a single, and a throwing error by Gutierrez, the BayBears had the bases loaded and nobody out. However, the right-hander worked brilliantly around the threat as he induced a double-play ball from Brandon Sandoval, which scored Gibbons to make it 2-0 Mobile. Mitch Spires followed with a groundout to short to end the inning.
Gutierrez pitched the other six innings of his seven-inning effort in shutout fashion. He finished his outing on a high note, retiring six of the final seven BayBears he faced. He departed the game having allowed two runs on seven hits with three strikeouts. The win was his first since July 19.
The Wahoos scored an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning thanks to a fielding error by Roberto Baldoquin. Taylor Featherston hit a groundball to the BayBear shortstop but it bounced past him and trickled into left. Featherston stole second and advanced to third after Kruger's throw to second rolled into center. Nay brought home the insurance run with a single off Matt Custred to extend Pensacola's lead to 4-2.
For the second consecutive night, Jody Davis called on Alex Powers (S, 15) to close out the win in the ninth. It wasn't the cleanest inning for the Wahoos closer, as he allowed a walk and a single to bring the winning run to the plate with two outs. However, Spires flew out to TJ Friedl to end the game, which gave Powers his 15th save of the season and the Wahoos Their 61st win of the season.
The Bay to Bay series continues tomorrow night as the Wahoos try to earn a series win against Mobile. RHP Tony Santillan (4-0, 1.78) will put his undefeated record on the line Friday night against RHP Jose Rodriguez (7-9, 5.83). Friday's game can be heard on the radio at 97.1 The Ticket/1490 AM Milton, and www.bluewahoos.com, with coverage beginning at 7:00 p.m.
- Pensacola Blue Wahoos -
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The 2018 season is underway 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
