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 Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Pensacola Wins Second Straight over Biloxi

May 5, 2016 - Southern League (SL1)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release


PENSACOLA, Fla. - Pensacola Blue Wahoos third baseman Eric Jagielo came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in an 0-20 slump and hitting .146.

All Jagielo did was launch a grand slam into the right field Hill-Kelly Dodge berm to lead the Blue Wahoos to its second straight victory, 8-1, over the Biloxi Shuckers in front of 4,065 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

Jagielo, the Cincinnati Reds No. 14 prospect according to MLB.com, last got a hit 10 days ago on April 25 against the Jackson Generals.

His four RBIs were his first since he drove in two on April 11 against the Mississippi Braves in the Blue Wahoos home opener five-game series. Jagielo now has two homers and nine RBIs this season for Pensacola.

Jagielo, who was selected in the first round by the New York Yankees in the 2013 draft, played 58 games last year at Double-A before surgery to repair his right knee. The Yankees traded him to the Reds as part of the deal in December for closer Aroldis Chapman.

Jagielo said his talk with Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin before the game and hitting a bucket of balls helped him get in a groove Thursday.

"It was good to get a little time to work on my swing, especially with a guy like Barry," he said. "It's cool to learn stuff from guys like him and then apply it to my game."

Pensacola leads Biloxi 2-0 in this five-gamehome stand and now is 16-11 on the season. The first-place Shuckers fell to 17-9 with Pensacola one a 1.5 game back.

Just like the night before, Biloxi scored first when right fielder Brett Phillips scored from third on a passed ball that rolled to the backstop, putting the Shuckers up, 1-0. With runners on second and third and one out, Pensacola right-hander Jackson Stephens then struck out the next two batters to get out of the inning.

Blue Wahoos Stephens worked six innings and retired the last 10 batters he faced. He gave up one run that was unearned and struck out five. He improved to 2-2 on the season with a 3.95 ERA.

In addition, Stephens also got his first professional hit in his fifth season in the minors with a grounder to left field to lead off the second inning.

"The first inning he had that little blip but he really did a nice job," said Pensacola manager Pat Kelly.

Pensacola's relievers Matt Magill and Wandy Peralta then held Biloxi hitless over the final three innings and struck out six batters.

Kelly was also impressed by Magill, who pitched two innings and struck out three.

"Magill looked really impressive and had really good stuff," Kelly said. "He had a really sharp slider tonight."

Pensacola also got production from second baseman Alex Blandino, who was 0-15 in his last four games, striking out seven times.

He also spoke with Larkin about hitting Thursday before going out and clobbering his first home run of the year a solo homer to left field. Blandino also hit a double and single in four at bats, scoring two runs and knocking in three. The two talked about getting back to basics at the plate.

"Whenever you can speak to a Hall of Famer on a daily basis, you're bound to get better," Blandino said. "He always has good, positive things to say."

GAME NOTES

Pensacola hosts the third game of a five-game series at 6:30 p.m. Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers Double-A affiliate Biloxi Shuckers. Pitching for the Shuckers is LHP Josh Hader (0-0, 0.78), who is going against Blue Wahoos RHP Rookie Davis (2-1, 0.78).

Because the Blue Wahoos scored five runs or more, fans win 50% off online orders from Papa John's on Friday by using the promo code WAHOOS.

The games are broadcast live on the Blue Wahoos flagship station 97.1 The Ticket. 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 Third baseman Eric Jagielo hit a two-out grand slam in the first inning to snap an 0-20 slump...Second baseman Alex Blandino hit a solo homer - his first of the season - and went 3-4 with three RBIs...Shortstop Calten Daal extended his hitting streak to eight games, going 2-4 with one run scored and a stolen base...Right fielder Phillip Ervin went 0-3 and scored a run - his 15th in 12 games. But his hitting streak ended at seven games...Pitcher Jackson Stephens earned his first career hit, getting a single to lead off the second inning.

Celebrate five seasons of baseball with the Blue Wahoos in 2016! Blue Wahoos season tickets, mini plan packages and single game tickets are available for purchase at Hill-Kelly Dodge Pick-Up Window and by calling (850) 934-8444. 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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