KODAK, Tenn. - With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 10th, Alex Powers (L, 2-2) plunked Zack Short to bring home the winning run as the Smokies took Friday's contest 3-2 on Friday.After taking the lead in the top of the extra frame, the Wahoos
KODAK, Tenn. - With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 10th, Alex Powers (L, 2-2) plunked Zack Short to bring home the winning run as the Smokies took Friday's contest 3-2 on Friday.
After taking the lead in the top of the extra frame, the Wahoos simply couldn't hold on, even with their closer on the mound. Powers made quick work of P.J. Higgins before Vimael Machin delivered an 0-2 single to center to put runners on the corners. With Tyler Alamo batting, Powers fell behind on a couple borderline pitches over the outside corner. Alamo eventually walked to load the bases, and Powers ran into the same problem with Wynton Bernard. He would eventually walk Bernard to bring home the tying run before Short was hit to end the game.
While the hit-by-pitch is the main story, Vladimir Gutierrez was nothing short of sensational for the Wahoos. After allowing a run on three hits in the first inning, Gutierrez did not allow another hit for the rest of his seven innings. He struck out seven, walked only one, and retired the final 16 Smokies to close out his final start of the regular season.
Jesús Reyes replaced Gutierrez and tossed two shutout innings for the Wahoos. Excluding the first inning, the Smokies sent 30 men to the plate spanning 8.1 innings before they picked up another base hit. However, their walk-off win puts Pensacola's postseason hopes in jeopardy. With Biloxi winning at home against the Barons, the Wahoos trail the Shuckers by 1.5 games in the second-half standings, with only three to play.
The series continues Saturday night in a must-win game for the Wahoos. RHP Tony Santillan (4-3, 3.49) will get the start for Pensacola and he will be opposed by RHP Thomas Hatch (8-6, 3.72). Saturday's middle game can be heard on the radio at 97.1 The Ticket/1490 AM Milton, and www.bluewahoos.com.
- Pensacola Blue Wahoos -
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The 2018 season is coming to a close, but single-game playoff tickets are now available. For postseason ticket packages or 2019 season-ticket plans, call (850) 934-8444 or online. Follow the Blue Wahoos at bluewahoos.com, facebook.com/PensacolaBlueWahoos, and twitter.com/BlueWahoosBBall
