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Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Pensacola Takes over First Place

August 26, 2015 - Southern League (SL1)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release


PENSACOLA, Fla. - Cody Reed held the Mississippi Braves to one run and struck out eight in six innings of work as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos won, 3-1, Wednesday night to move into first place in the second half of South Division play in the Southern League.

Wednesday night, Reed showed the 4,201 Blue Wahoos fans at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium what he's made of. In the battle to make the playoffs, Reed retired nine Mississippi Braves in a row at one point.

On the road, Reed has a 3-0 record and 0.41 earned-run average. At home? Reed was 0-2, lasting just 7.2 innings with an 11.74 ERA.

Pensacola improved to 33-26 in the second half and sole possession of first place, while Mississippi fell to 32-26.

Reed said he knew he lacked his usual good stuff but wasn't about to let the Braves have a big inning. He struggled early throwing 60 pitches over the first three innings.

"It wasn't my sharpest day but I got through six innings," said Reed, who came to Pensacola from the Kansas City organization in a trade for the Cincinnati Reds ace Johnny Cueto. "You just got to work through it. I love having that pressure of being the guy they give the ball to."

Pensacola manager Pat Kelly, who turns 60 Thursday, said Reed's six innings was exactly what the Blue Wahoos needed Wednesday against Mississippi. Reed improved to 4-2 with a 3.03 ERA.

"I had more guys in turf shoes than cleats tonight," he said. "I love (Reed's) stuff. He has a plus fastball with a plus slider. He really competes. He was upset he gave up one run."

Pensacola scored first in the fourth inning when left fielder Jesse Winker walked and scored on right fielder Juan Duran's fielder choice to go up, 1-0.

The Blue Wahoos added another in the next inning when Kyle Skipworth hit a shot to right field that was dropped for an error. He scored on Winker's ground out to the first baseman for a 2-0 Pensacola lead.

But back-to-back doubles by Mississippi's Keven Ahrens and Rio Ruiz brought the Braves within one run at, 2-1.

Pensacola, though, added an insurance run in the eighth inning to go up, 3-1, when shortstop Alex Blandino hit a rocket to centerfield for a double and scored on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Marquez Smith.

Kelly said he's glad to be in the hunt for a playoff spot with 11 games left in the season. The latest Pensacola has had sole possession of first place was July 22, 2012 in its first season.

"If you had told me in April or May that we would be here I would have told you that you were crazy," Kelly said. "This is great. It's nice being here at this point. We just gotta keep going."

GAME NOTES

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos play the final game of a five-game series at 6:35 p.m. Thursday against the Atlanta Braves Double-A affiliate the Mississippi Braves. RHP Barrett Astin (4-4, 4.71) is scheduled to take the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Braves RHP Greg Ross (7-9, 3.59).

Head down to Seville Quarter for Thirsty Thursday, park for free, enjoy drink specials and $5 appetizers, and then ride the free Wahoo Choo Choo tram to the stadium. Once at the game, continue to enjoy the drink specials at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.

It's College Night, so come out in your school colors to support your favorite college.

The games are broadcast live on the Blue Wahoos flagship station NewsRadio1620 (WNRP-AM). Listen for free at bluewahoos.com and by using the TuneIn Radio app on your mobile, desktop or home devices. Stream Wahoos games on MiLB.TV, a subscription-based service provided by Minor League Baseball.

BIG FISH Left fielder Jesse Winker has hit in 17 of his 22 games this month. He went 1-2 with two walks, a run scored and an RBI. He is hitting .351 (27-77) in August...Pensacola shortstop Alex Blandino hit a double in the eighth inning and scored a big insurance run that put Penacola ahead, 3-1. He went 1-3 with a run scored...Marquez Smith hit a deep fly ball to left field to drive in Pensacola's third run. Smith went 1-3 in the game.

LORENZEN IN LOUISVILLE Former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen, who started for the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos the year before, has handled his demotion to the Triple-A Louisville Bats with grace.

In his three starts since going down Aug. 13, including last night, Lorenzen is 2-1 with a 1.13 ERA, including a complete game shutout in his first start for Louisville against Norfolk. He pitched eight scoreless innings Wednesday against Indianapolis and combining with Drew Hayes, another former Blue Wahoo, on a one-hitter in the 3-0 victory.

"You don't have to live off your fastball," Lorenzen said he realized, after going 3-8 with a 5.46 ERA in 17 starts and 90.2 innings with the Reds. "I think it was a good confidence booster for me, because it was like, 'Yeah, my other stuff is good.' It allowed me to just go out there, have fun and pitch."

Come experience the family-fun entertainment for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos with Thirsty Thursday against the Mississippi Braves! You can follow the team at BlueWahoos.com, facebook.com/PensacolaBlueWahoos and twitter.com/BlueWahoosBBall.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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