SL1 Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Bizzare Play Helps Jacksonville to 8-6 Win

Published on June 30, 2014 under Southern League (SL1)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release


PENSACOLA, Fla. - Pensacola Blue Wahoos catcher and clean up hitter Ross Perez hit .356 in June. Lead off hitter Yorman Rodriguez is batting .356 in the past 12 games.

And the five position players called up from High-A Bakersfield after the June 17 Southern League All-Star break (Kyle Waldrop, Seth Mejias-Brean, Marquez Smith, Jesse Winker and Ryan Wright) were a combined 10 for 22, a .454 clip Monday night.

"Our offense this year in my mind has played good," Wahoos manager DeShields said. "We've scored runs and at one point we were hitting the highest in the league. Those things don't go together. We've played a lot better than our record."

Still, despite collecting 16 hits and six runs the Wahoos dropped their second straight game to the Jacksonville Suns Monday night, losing 8-6.

One could only wonder what would have happened, if not for a bizzare ruling by the umpire crew in the sixth inning.

Wahoos pinch hitter Juan Duran hit a rocket in the air that appeared to glance off pitcher Jay Rogers' ankle and ricochet into Jacksonville third baseman Terrence Dayleg's glove - never touching the ground. Dayleg threw Duran out at first to complete the play and Pensacola's Jesse Winker scored from third, cutting the Jacksonville lead, 8-4. Third base umpire J.J. January ruled Penacola's Ryan Wright safe at third and the play was dead.

But then the umpires reconvened and homeplate umpire Matt Pridemore, who was filling in for Jeremy Riggs who suffered a concussion Sunday from a foul ball off his mask, decided instead that Dayleg caught the ball in the air. So, he called Winker out after the Suns threw the ball to third base during the umpires' discussion. The over turning of the call from a run scored and two out to a double play that took a Wahoos run off the scoreboard, ended the inning and stopping Pensacola from adding one run or more. Jacksonville remained ahead, 8-3.

DeShields was thrown out of the game for arguing the reversed call and threw his helmet on the ground in anger. He was still seething after the game and said he had never seen a call like it before.

"I don't get real aggravated most of the time but I had had enough," he explained. "It was a messed up play."

DeShields argued the play was dead and the Pensacola runners should have been allowed to return to second and third base with two out.

Perez called the umpire's over ruling "really weird."

"That was a big situation for us," said Perez, who scored two runs, doubled and knocked in a run. "If the ball goes through there two runs could have scored. I think we'll be good at the end of the season."

Perez said he is more confident than ever at bat and credits his coaches after his hot-hitting June.

"I've never felt like I'm feeling right now," he said. "I'm very comfortable at home plate. When you work hard good things come out."

GAME NOTES

The third game of the five-game series with Miami Marlins Double-A affiliate the Jacksonville Suns gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. RHP Michael Lorenzen (4-4, 2.63) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Suns LHP Justin Nicolino (7-2, 3.07). It's Team Tuesday and fans are encouraged to come early for a complimentary pregame autograph session at 5:40 p.m. by select Blue Wahoos players

The game will be broadcast live on ESPN Pensacola at 101.1 FM and 1450 AM. You can also stream the game at MILB.TV.

The Blue Wahoos scored more than five runs, so fans receive 50 percent off Papa John's Pizza online the following day. Ordering is easy: Tomorrow, simply go to www.papajohns.com, select your pizza, enter promo code, WAHOOS, and enjoy your delicious discount!

USA SOCCER VIEWING PARTY

The Blue Wahoos will host a USA national soccer team viewing party beginning at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Hancock Bank Club. The game against Belgium starts at 3 p.m. and will be shown live with sound on the right field video board and on the HBC televisions. The event is free to the public. Light concessions will be available for purchase. No outside food or beverage is permitted in the viewing party. The event is free and open to the public. Game tickets are not required for the watch party, however, fans with tickets can remain in the stadium to watch the Blue Wahoos play the Jacksonville Suns afterward.

BIG FISH Wahoos lead off hitter Yorman Rodriguez in 12 games following the Southern League All-Star game June 17 is hitting .348 (16-46) with 3 home runs and 9 RBI, including a solo shot Monday...Catcher Ross Perez went 2-4 with a double and RBI and hit a sizzling .377 in June...Wahoos outfielder Jesse Winker singled twice in four at bats to extend his on-base streak to 11 games...Third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean went 3-4 and scored once...Second baseman Ryan Wright smacked three doubles and now has five in 11 games with Pensacola.

BULLPEN HELP

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos added three new players Monday to their bullpen: right-handers Hector Nelo, Fabio Castillo and left-hander Scott Maine.

"Our starters can't pitch nine innings every game," Wahoos manager Delino DeShields said. "Our bullpen has to be better in order for us to move up" in the standings.

Nelo earned Southern League All-Star honors in 2013 with the Los Angeles Dodgers Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts but was released in early June after going 1-0 record with a 6.97 ERA.

Castillo pitched in 18 games for the Baltimore Orioles Double-A Bowie this season, amassing a 5.14 ERA. He's reached the Triple-A level the previous two seasons.

Maine made 50 appearances from 2010 to 2012 for the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians. He has a 5.59 ERA as a major leaguer with 48 strikeouts and just 25 walks. Maine appeared in 19 games this season for Bridgeport in the Independent Atlantic League where he was 2-3 with a 4.95 ERA over 20.0 innings of work.

Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Reds promoted the Wahoos' Elvin Ramirez for the third time this season to Triple-A Louisville Bats. Ramirez is 0-2 with a 5.14 ERA on the season with Pensacola. The Pensacola Blue Wahoos also placed relievers Carlos Gonzalez and Brooks Pinckard on the disabled list. Gonzalez has a right forearm contusion and Pinckard has a lower back strain.

LIVELY AND OTHER FIREWORKS

Former Gulf Breeze High School pitching star Ben Lively gets his second chance Thursday, July 3 show his hometown his stuff since being called up from High-A Bakersfield Blaze. In his first Pensacola Blue Wahoos appearance at home against the Huntsville Stars, he lasted 3.2 innings and struck out eight but gave up three runs and five walks. In his last outing on the road against the Chattanooga Lookouts, Lively pitched 5.2 shutout innings and struck out five.

Wahoos manager Delino DeShields said about Lively's second start: "He had a better mix of pitches than his first night. He still has some growth."

But Lively will not be the only show. A special choreographed Fireworks Extravaganza show will follow the game. The fireworks show is presented by Hancock Bank. Thursday's game will be broadcast live on WFGX-TV.

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Southern League Stories from June 30, 2014


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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