Rough Inning Sinks Wahoos in 7-4 Loss to Smokies
Pensacola, Fla. - After four weeks and 20 previous games in April, the Blue Wahoos didn’t have one to forget. That good fortune ran out Sunday. In a rare defensive meltdown, the Blue Wahoos committed three errors and yielded seven runs in the third inning of an eventual 7-4 loss
Pensacola, Fla. - After four weeks and 20 previous games in April, the Blue Wahoos didn’t have one to forget.
That good fortune ran out Sunday.
In a rare defensive meltdown, the Blue Wahoos committed three errors and yielded seven runs in the third inning of an eventual 7-4 loss against the Knoxville Smokies, ending their homestand in a tough way at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Even trailing 7-0, however, the Blue Wahoos had the game-tying batter at the plate three times, including with two-on, no outs in the ninth inning. It also happened with less than two out in the sixth and eighth innings. But each time, the Blue Wahoos couldn’t get a game-changing hit.
Still, the week ended with the Pensacola (15-6) winning the series (4-2) and keeping their place with the best record across three Double-A leagues. The team will have an off-day Monday before embarking on consecutive road series in Birmingham and Biloxi.
A crowd of 4,011 watched a game unravel in one-half inning.
Blue Wahoos starter, lefthander Luis Palacios, had overcome two walks in the first inning and breezed through the second inning of a scoreless game.
He never lasted through another inning.
Palacios, who allowed just three earned runs in three previous starts, lost command of his five-pitch repertoire. He gave up a lead-off double to No. 9 hitter Corey Joyce. Pedro Ramirez singled and B.J. Murray Jr. walked to load the bases. A sacrifice fly scored the first run, followed by Ethan Hearn’s RBI single.
An RBI ground out made it 3-0 with two out. And then it got worse for Palacios. Hits and three consecutive errors followed.
Another single and fielding error by left fielder Dalvy Rosario allowed two runners in scoring position. Jordan Nwogu’s two-run single included a fielding error by Shane Sasaki, to put Nwogu on second. A ground ball was misplayed by second baseman Josh Zamora to allow another run to score.
After a wild pitch and a walk, Blue Wahoos manager Nelson Prada pulled Palacios. With Zach McCambley in relief, the Blue Wahoos pulled off a double steal for the seventh run.
From that point, the Smokies did not have another hit until the ninth inning as the Blue Wahoos bullpen again put up zeroes.
That enabled a comeback to begin. Catcher Spencer Bramwell drove in the first run with his fifth inning single, scoring Josh Zamora who led off with a single. Dalvy Rosario followed with a sacrifice fly to score the second run.
In the sixth, Tony Bullard had a two-run single. But with two runners on, reliever Zac Leigh, who wound up winning his third game, got Bramwell to ground out and struck out Rosario.
In the eighth, the Blue Wahoos had two runners on, none out, but two pop outs and a flyout ended that inning.
In the ninth, Shane Sasaki led off with a single. Jake Thompson walked. Smokies reliever Mitchell Tyranski earned his second save by striking out Kemp Alderman, getting Nathan Martorella to pop out and ending the game when Josh Zamora flew out to right.
The Blue Wahoos will travel Tuesday to Birmingham to begin a six-game series against the Barons. Each of the six games will start at different times.
GAME NOTABLES
--- The Kazoo’s Reading Program organized by the Blue Wahoos had a pregame parade of 250 elementary school children and parents on the field. The children completed a reading program at their respective schools and received a free ticket and on-field parade.
--- The West Florida High baseball team had its fundraiser event with its 50-50 table on the concourse. The team played in Blue Wahoos Stadium in March.
--- Jade Brown, the athletic director and head girls basketball coach of Booker T. Washington High School, threw out a ceremonial first pitch and recognized for being named back-to-back recipient of the Pensacola News Journal Girls Basketball coach of the year. Brown took her team to the Region 1-5A championship game in 2025 and won back-to-back district titles.
--- Among the groups in attendance Sunday included the Foley (Ala.) Police Department, the Fort Walton Beach First United Methodist Church, Torch Technologies, Modern Technology Solutions, the local Pepsi distributorship and the UWF Jazz Studios.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Blue Wahoos vs. Birmingham Barons
WHERE: Regions Field, Birmingham, Ala.
WHEN: Tuesday through Sunday (May 4).
GAMETIMES: Tuesday’s game starts at 6 p.m., Wednesday’s game is a special 11 a.m. start; Thursday and Friday games start at 7 p.m.. Saturday’s game is at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday’s game starts at 4 p.m.
LIVESTREAM AUDIO: You can listen to the Blue Wahoos broadcast with Erik Bremer’s call of the game through www.bluewahoos.com/radio or the MILB App.
LIVESTREAM VIDEO: Available on MiLB.TV (subscription required).
LOOK AHEAD: The Blue Wahoos follow this road trip with another on May 6-11 against Biloxi Shuckers.
NEXT HOMESTAND: Begins on May 13 vs. Rocket City Trash Pandas.
TICKETS: Available at www.bluewahoos.com or at the stadium ticket office.
Wahoos Snap Losing Streak, Take Road Finale
Montgomery, Ala. - The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (24-27) ended their road trip on a high note with a 6-2 victory over the Montgomery Biscuits (28-23) on Sunday. After a scoreless first two frames, Pensacola jumped out to an early lead in the top of the third. Following a leadoff single
Wahoos Show Progress, but Win Remains Elusive in 6-4 Loss
Montgomery, Ala. - The Pensacola Blue Wahoos scored four runs, their highest total in almost two weeks, but surrendered a five-run fourth inning that proved to be costly in a 6-4 loss to the Montgomery Biscuits on Saturday night. The Blue Wahoos took their first lead since last Sunday in
Laskey's Quality Start Not Enough in 3-1 Wahoos Loss
Montgomery, Ala. - The Pensacola Blue Wahoos got another solid performance from their pitcher on Friday night, but couldn't generate enough offense in a 3-1 loss to the Montgomery Biscuits. Adam Laskey (L, 2-4) allowed just two runs over 6.0 innings, delivering his first professional quality start, but the Pensacola
Fitterer Sharp, but Clutch Hitting Eludes Wahoos in 6-1 Loss to Biscuits
Montgomery, Ala. - The Pensacola Blue Wahoos had ample opportunity to convert on offensive opportunities on Thursday night, but couldn't make the most of their chances in a 6-1 loss to the Montgomery Biscuits. A night after going 0-for-11 with men in scoring position in a 3-1 defeat, the Blue
Snelling Goes Seven, but Bats Kept Quiet in 3-1 Wahoos Loss
Montgomery, Ala. - Robby Snelling pitched a career-high 7.0 innings for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Wednesday night, but didn't receive enough run support in a 3-1 loss to the Montgomery Biscuits. Snelling (L, 2-4) was perfect through 4.0 innings in his first start since being named Southern League Pitcher
Wahoos' Woes Continue in 8-1 Loss to Biscuits
Montgomery, Ala. - In need of a reset, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos hoped the start of a weeklong road trip to Montgomery would help snap their team out of a six-game skid. Instead, their series opener offered more of the same in an 8-1 loss to the Biscuits on Tuesday
Blue Wahoos Father's Day Fantasy Camp Features Three World Series Winners As Celeb Instructors
Kevin Saucier was a decade removed from being part of the Philadelphia Phillies historic 1980 championship season when first participating as a celebrity instructor at a fantasy baseball camp. “It was right before (Phillies) spring training opened in Clearwater,” said Saucier, who pitched five seasons in the Major Leagues. “It
Blue Wahoos Fall to Barons, Suffer Rare Home Sweep
Pensacola, Fla.- Sunday’s 6-2 loss marked the first six-game sweep of the Blue Wahoos at Blue Wahoos Stadium in franchise history. After taking four of six from the Rocket City Trash Pandas in the first half of their 12-game homestand, the Blue Wahoos dropped six in a row to the
Fulton Fantastic, but Bats Kept Quiet in Wahoos' Fifth Straight Loss
Pensacola, Fla.- The showcase pitching matchup between touted prospects exceeded expectations. But game itself continued the Blue Wahoos struggling week-long narrative. Unable to seize a first-inning opportunity, then held to just two hits, the Blue Wahoos fell 2-0 against the Birmingham Barons for a fifth consecutive loss, before a customary
Barons Come Through in Clutch as Blue Wahoos Drop Fourth Straight
Pensacola, Fla.- With a 1-2-3 inning in the first from left-hander Adam Laskey, and the offense forcing runners to second and third with one out in the bottom of the frame against Birmingham’s Dalton Roach, it felt like the Blue Wahoos had found momentum for the first time this week.
Offensive Woes Continue As Wahoos Drop Third Straight To Barons
Pensacola, Fla.- The Blue Wahoos got one opportunity Thursday to change the game. It almost happened. But instead, the wrong side of an existing pattern continued in a 4-2 loss against the Birmingham Barons, the third setback in as many games this week against the Southern League’s North Division leaders
Stellar Outing from Snelling Not Enough in 7-2 Wahoos Loss
Pensacola, Fla.- Through six innings, it seemed like Wednesday night’s game between the Blue Wahoos and Barons was shaping up to be a classic pitcher’s duel in front of a crowd of 3,223. The Blue Wahoos led 1-0, and starters Robby Snelling (L, 2-3) and Jake Palisch (W, 3-0) had
Rough Sixth Inning Leads to Series-Opening Loss to Barons
Pensacola, Fla. - Through five innings and two turns complete into Birmingham’s lineup, the Blue Wahoos’ Jacob Miller was spinning superlatives. The third trip became rocky and led to the Barons’ eventual 6-2 victory Tuesday night that began a six-game series against two co-division leaders at Blue Wahoos Stadium. After
Praytor Breaks Through, Pitching Shows Out In Pensacola's Series-Clinching Win
Pensacola, Fla. - Blue Wahoos catcher Sam Praytor extended his arms outward, then welcomed two teammates dumping an ice bucket of energy drink over his head. “I think if it were (just) water, it would be better,” said Praytor, smiling during the on-field, post-game interview. On the hottest afternoon game
Fulton Dazzles, Lifts Wahoos to Win over Trash Pandas
Pensacola, Fla. - Dax Fulton has overcome a lot in his pro career, including battling back from two left elbow surgeries on his throwing arm, plus all the recovery that involves. A night like this one made his efforts become more pronounced. Fulton had his strongest outing this season, working
Blue Wahoos Welcome Two Centenarian Brothers, WWII Vets In Special First Pitch Moment
The two brothers had practiced tossing a soft, rubber baseball in the backyard, the first time these two centenarians, Navarre residents Earl and Arthur Drinkwater, had played ball since returning home from World War II. “They were unbelievable,” said son-in-law Joe Klaus, before adding in playful admiration, “I had to
Laskey Delivers Career-Long Outing, But Rocket City Evens Series with Wahoos
Pensacola, Fla. - Lefthander Adam Laskey completed six innings Friday night for the first time in his five-year pro career. If only he could take back one of the 94 pitches he threw. Laskey hung a curveball with the bases loaded in the fifth inning that Rocket City’s Denzer Guzman
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
Wild Pitching Costs Wahoos in 9-0 Loss
Pensacola, Fla. - The Pensacola Blue Wahoos struggled to find the strike zone in their Education Day game on Wednesday afternoon, falling 9-0 to the Rocket City Trash Pandas. Pensacola pitching walked six batters and hit five more, giving the Trash Pandas free baserunners throughout the game. Robby Snelling (L,
Olmstead Delivers Walk-off Win as Wahoos End Losing Streak
Pensacola, Fla. - The Blue Wahoos didn’t have much to celebrate on the end of their road trip. They got some relief Tuesday night back home. With their offense still in a slumber, the Blue Wahoos got clutch pitching, then a game-winning, two-out single from Johnny Olmstead in the 11th
Wahoos Drop Finale in Biloxi To End Road Trip
Biloxi, Miss. - The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (19-14) were defeated in Sunday’s series finale at Keesler Federal Park against the Biloxi Shuckers (20-13) by a final score of 5-1. The loss marks Pensacola’s fifth consecutive setback and ends a two-week road trip. Neither team scored in Sunday’s contest until the
Wahoos Swept in Second Straight Doubleheader
Biloxi, Miss. - The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (19-13) fell in both games of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Biloxi Shuckers (19-13) at Keesler Federal Park. The sweep marked the second time this week that Biloxi had won both games of a doubleheader (5/8). In game one, Pensacola jumped ahead in the
Blue Wahoos, Shuckers Postponed Again in Biloxi
Biloxi, Miss. - Friday's scheduled game at Keesler Federal Park between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Biloxi Shuckers was postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Saturday, May 10, with two seven-inning games beginning at 5:05 p.m. CT. Game two will
Wahoos Swept by Shuckers in Twin Bill
Biloxi, Miss. - The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lost back-to-back games for the first time in the 2025 season, falling 10-0 and 5-2 in a doubleheader at the hands of the Biloxi Shuckers on Thursday night. In game one, Pensacola starter Robby Snelling (L, 2-2) had an uncharacteristically shaky outing. The
Blue Wahoos, Shuckers Postponed in Biloxi
Biloxi, Miss. - Wednesday's scheduled game at Keesler Federal Park between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Biloxi Shuckers was postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Thursday, with two seven-inning games beginning at 5:35 p.m. CT. Game two of the twin