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Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Dixon Smashes Two Homers in Pensacola Win

May 29, 2016 - Southern League (SL1)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release


PENSACOLA, Fla. - Brandon Dixon hit a grand slam over the left field wall in the bottom of the first inning to give the Pensacola Blue Wahoos a lead it would never relinquished.

With one swing off of Birmingham lefty Blair Walters, Dixon gave Pensacola a, 4-3, lead and added another solo shot in the fifth inning to left center as the Blue Wahoos defeated Birmingham, 12-5, Sunday in front of its third straight sellout of 5,038 at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Pensacola is now 5-for-5 in five-game series at home, beating Birmingham 4-1.

Blue Wahoos southpaw Amir Garrett uncharacteristically walked four batters in a row in the first inning, after getting the first two outs of the game on three pitches. After 35 pitches he finally got out of the inning giving up three runs to the Birmingham Barons.

Dixon was hitting .163 against left-handed pitchers entering the game. But he ended up with two homers for the second time in his minor league career. He had a career-high six RBIs. The second baseman now is tied with Pensacola outfielder Phillip Ervin with five home runs, leads the team with 25 RBIs and is batting .277 on the year.

In its franchise history dating back to 2012, the Blue Wahoos have hit 10 grand slams total.

"It definitely was one of my best games for sure," the soft-spoke Dixon said. "I was looking for something up over the plate. I've struggled against lefties this year."

Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said he saw Dixon play in the California League two years ago and admired his swing.

"He's one of those guys who has a different sound coming off of his bat," Kelly said. "He's got raw power and he's starting to harness it. He has really been swinging the bat well."

The Blue Wahoos remained in first place in the Southern League South Division at 30-20 and improved to 18-7 at home.

Not only did Dixon hit two blasts, but Garrett settled down after his rough start.

Birmingham scored in that first inning when Garrett gave up a two-out bases loaded walk to catcher Jeremy Dowdy to score DH Eudy Pina. The next batter Nick Basto hit a two-out, line drive double down the third base line that scored both Barons left fielder Courtney Hawkins and third baseman Trey Michalczewski to put Birmingham on top, 3-0.

"In the past, (Garrett) has been really emotional and really hard on himself," Kelly said. "He was terrific. He pitched a solid six innings."

Garrett would then bear down and throw 58 pitches the rest of the way. He retired the last seven batters he faced, striking out the last four before giving way to Pensacola reliever Kyle McMyne in the seventh.

Garrett, who gave up a double in the first inning gave up one more hit the rest of the way - a bunt single to Birmingham right fielder Keenyn Walker. Garrett, the Cincinnati Reds No 3 prospect, worked six innings, giving up three runs on two hits and four walks and striking out seven.

He's now 4-3 on the year with a 1.79 earned-run average and a 1.06 WHIP. His ERA is fourth in the Southern League and he moved into third in strikeouts with 61 on the year.

Entering Friday's game, Garrett walked 17 in 54.1 innings or 2.81 per nine innings. He did throw a season high five walks against the Biloxi Shuckers May 8.

Dixon was happy to give Garrett a lift.

"That's the name of the game," Dixon said. "We've been doing it all year long. After that (grand slam) Amir was lights out."

With two outs and the bases loaded in the first inning, Dixon walked to the plate and promptly jumped on the first pitch by Birmingham lefty Blair Walters to put Pensacola ahead, 4-3, for good with his first grand slam of the season.

Dixon then hit a bullet over the left center wall for a 10-3 Pensacola lead. His sixth and final RBI came when he doubled in the eighth inning to score DH Donald Lutz.

Birmingham committed five errors and gave up 13 hits to Pensacola.

Other than Dixon, Tony Renda led the way at the plate going 2-3 with a double and two runs scored and an RBI. Renda is now batting .308 on the season after going 11-22 against the Barons this series.

GAME NOTES

Pensacola travels to the Arizona Diamondbacks Double-A affiliate Mobile BayBears for five games beginning Tuesday, May 31 and then travel to Seattle Mariners Double-A affiliate Jackson Generals for five games starting Sunday, June 5. The Blue Wahoos then return home Friday, June 10 for a 10-game homestand against Tampa Bay Rays Double-A affiliate Montgomery Biscuits and Mobile.

Because the Blue Wahoos scored five runs, Pensacola pizza lovers get 50 percent off online orders at Papa John's pizza on Monday 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 Second baseman Brandon Dixon was 3-5 with two homers, six RBIs, a double and scored three times...Left fielder Tony Renda was 2-3 with two runs scored and a double...Center fielder Bryson Smith was 2-4 with an RBI...Left fielder Jeff Gellalich was 2-2 with a runs scored.

Celebrate five seasons of baseball with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos this season! Blue Wahoos 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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Southern League Stories from May 29, 2016


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