SL1 Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Around the Horn: Stephenson's Debut Soured 5-1

Published on August 16, 2013 under Southern League (SL1)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release


Robert Stephenson was impressive in his Double-A debut, turning in one of the strongest starts by a Wahoos newcomer in recent memory. However, limited run support doomed Pensacola as the Mississippi Braves cruised to a 5-1 victory. The win was the fifth straight for the M-Braves as costly errors led to runs in the late innings. The Wahoos showed life in the second inning with three straight hits supporting Stephenson with a one-run lead. Mississippi utilized situational hitting to attack the defense with three runs in the seventh and another two down the stretch. Here are the highlights as we go Around the Horn:

STEPHENSON SIZZLES: The Reds' top pitching prospect didn't disappoint in his Double-A debut, firing six solid innings and striking out five batters. The phenon has faced one batter above the minimum through his first five frames and spotted his fastball in the mid-nineties through the night, yielding just two hits before the M-Braves struck in the seventh. Finishing the night with two runs to his name, Stephenson actually saw both runs cross the plate after he left the mound. LATE ARRIVAL: Stephenson wasn't the only Wahoo making a debut as 2013 first-round selection Michael Lorenzen entered the seventh inning in relief of his former teammate. His situation wasn't as breezy as his counterpart's, inheriting two runners from Stephenson and allowing both to score as Mississippi rallied for three runs. The competitive balance pick has made appearances with four minor league squads this season after his selection by Cincinnati earlier this summer.

STREAK ENDS: The Wahoos ended the record-setting streak of M-Braves backstop Christian Bethancourt, silencing the standout catcher at the plate. Bethancourt set the franchise mark for Mississippi with a 40-game on-base streak while achieving a season-high hitting streak of sixteen games.

STRONG SUPPORT: The best fans in baseball came out in force for the star-studded debut, with 5,038 supporters filing through the gates at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium on a cloudy summer evening. Copy Products sponsored a wall flag giveaway for the first 2,000 fans on Fan Friday, the latest in a string of promotions. The sellout is the team's twenty-sixth on the season across sixty-one openings.

The Wahoos (25-28) send Carlos Contreras (1-2, 3.12 ERA) to the mound in tomorrow night's series finale. The first pitch is tabbed for 6:30 PM with gates opening at 5:30 PM. In addition to postgame fireworks on 2000's night, one lucky family will win a pair of travel vouchers courtesy of Silver Airways as part of the Pack Your Bags Giveaway. Tune in to ESPN Radio (1450 AM and 101.1 FM) for streaming coverage or watch the live video feed available to online subscribers on MiLB.TV.

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Southern League Stories from August 16, 2013


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