Around the Horn: Barons Ride Black's Bat in 5-4 Win
August 27, 2013 - Southern League (SL1)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release
The Blue Wahoos overcame a four-run deficit to tie the game down the stretch, but the Birmingham Barons responded with a solo home run in the seventh inning to escape with a 5-4 victory on Tuesday night. Held to three hits in their first four frames at the dish, the Wahoos rallied for three runs on three knocks in the sixth inning before folding in their last three at-bats. Pensacola still claimed a three-game series win, but the Wahoos will have just five games to attempt to sew up the South Division's final playoff spot. Here are the highlights from the defeat as we go Around the Horn:
WAHOOS NATION: The Blue Wahoos welcomed 5,038 fans on their final home game of the season, increasing their season total to 307,094. The sellout, Pensacola's thirty-first of the year, is the sixth straight packed house. When the dust clears, Pensacola becomes the first Southern League team to surpass 300,000 fans in two straight seasons since Jacksonville completed the feat in 2010 and 2011.
STEPHENSON SHAKY: Top pitching prospect Robert Stephenson met his toughest Double-A yet, but a sixth-inning rally took the young starter off the hook. Stephenson surrendered his first home run of the season and walked a season-high five batters, lacking the ferocity of past appearances before leaving with two outs in the fifth inning. The right-hander tied the Reds' minor league mark at 135 strikeouts with five whiffs tonight; he shares the distinction with teammates Jon Moscot and Josh Smith.
SLUGGERS STRIKE: Dan Black and Cody Puckett, sparkplugs for the Barons' offense all season long, belted solo home runs that kept Birmingham competitive. Both players went yard for the second time in as many nights to give the Barons leads in the first and seventh innings. The duo batted a combined 11-for-40 during the set with eight RBI and five runs. Pensacola batters also packed a punch when they made contact; five of their eight hits were doubles, which ties a franchise record.
ROAD TO SEPTEMBER: Pensacola's elimination number falls to three with the loss, but the rest of the Southern League playoff picture remained unclear at press time. Mobile fell 4-2 against Tennessee while first-place Jacksonville and second-place Mississippi were still playing when the Wahoos' game concluded.
The Wahoos (33-31) enjoy an off day tomorrow before starting their final series of the year in Mobile. The fifth and final installment of the Bay-to-Bay Series begins on August 29 with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM. Tune in to WCOA Radio (1370 AM and 100.7 FM) for streaming coverage or watch the live video feed available to online subscribers on MiLB.TV.
Southern League Stories from August 27, 2013
- Suns Fall 8-6 in Series Finale in Montgomery - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Stars Drop Road Finale - Huntsville Stars
- Biscuits Comeback to Beat Suns - Montgomery Biscuits
- Generals Close Out Home Schedule With Third Straight Win - Jackson Generals
- Braves Win, Head to Jacksonville Tied for Division Lead - Mississippi Braves
- Black's Blast Bests Wahoos 5-4 - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Smokies Win Series Finale over Mobile, 4-2 - Knoxville Smokies
- Black's Late Homer Gives Barons 5-4 Win over Pensacola - Birmingham Barons
- Around the Horn: Barons Ride Black's Bat in 5-4 Win - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Three Generals Selected to Play in Arizona Fall League - Jackson Generals
- Loek Van Mil Promoted to Louisville - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Game Information (Tuesday, August 27) vs. Chattanooga - Jackson Generals
- Four Suns Invited to Play in Arizona Fall League - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Suns Battle the Braves for the Second Half Title Through Labor Day - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Smokies to Begin Playoffs Thursday, September 5 in Birmingham - Knoxville Smokies
- David Holmberg to Make Major League Debut - Mobile BayBears
- Barons to Begin Final Regular Season Homestand of the Season - Birmingham Barons
- Smokies Win Second Half Title with 6-0 Win Monday - Knoxville Smokies
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.
