SL Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Johnson's Strong Start Spoiled in 10-4 Defeat

July 6, 2023 - Southern League (SL)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release


Pensacola Blue Wahoo' M.D. Johnson on the mound
Pensacola Blue Wahoo' M.D. Johnson on the mound
(Pensacola Blue Wahoos)

Pensacola, Fla. - The Blue Wahoos had a prime, third-inning opportunity for more runs and a padded lead.

They came up empty.

It became a prelude to a game-ending feeling as well, after the Biloxi Shuckers exploded against Pensacola's bullpen for a 10-4 win Thursday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

The Shuckers flipped a 4-2 deficit with a four-run, eighth inning, then tacked on three more runs in the ninth for the blowout win.

All this followed a start that went well for the home team on Mullet Thursday. The players wore new Pensacola Mullets uniforms with a blue-pink design, as part of a second-half changeup for the routine identity change on Thursday games.

The Mullets quickly jumped to a 2-0 lead. Nasim Nuñez led off the bottom of the first inning with a walk, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Troy Johnston and scored when Cody Morissette's grounder became a run-scoring throwing error on Shuckers starter Tobias Myers.

Will Banfield's double then drove in Morissette. Pensacola expanded its lead to 3-0 after Johnson's RBI single in the second inning. In the third, Banfield reached on a wild pitch on a third-strike swing, then advanced to third on José Devers' double with none out.

But Myers struck out Griffin Conine and Jose Mesa Jr. and got Norel González out on a flyout.

That missed chance was part of six runners left in scoring position in the first seven innings.

Pensacola starter M.D. Johnson had a strong outing, working into the sixth inning, allowing just two runs and three hits. From there, however, three relievers combined to yield eight runs. It started when first reliever Josan Méndez was tagged for a leadoff homer in the seventh from Zavier Warren.

Matt Pushard, who had not allowed a hit or a run in two previous appearances since being elevated to Double-A, had a rough night.

He gave up a leadoff homer in the eighth to the Shuckers' outfielder Jackson Chourio, the No. 3 rated player in Minor League Baseball, then a single, walk and two-run double by Freddy Zamora that gave the Shuckers their first lead. A run-scoring sacrifice fly provided a three-run lead.

The Shuckers added three more against Brady Puckett in the ninth to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

The series continues on Friday through Sunday. Both teams will be without two of their best players, all of whom are headed to Seattle on Friday to play in Saturday's SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at T-Mobile Park, site of the 93rd Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 11.

For the Blue Wahoos, top pitcher Patrick Monteverde and shortstop Nasim Nuñez will be the Miami Marlins representatives in the Futures Game. The Shuckers' star centerfielder Jackson Chourio and catcher Jeferson Quero are heading to Seattle as the Milwaukee Brewers representatives.

On Friday, it will be Giveaway Friday, which features a Pensacola Mullets t-shirt in a blue color with a decorative design. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive the giveaway, all in X-Large and sponsored by Bubba's Sweet Spot.

The Blue Wahoos will have lefthander Luis Palacios (4-3, 6.51 ERA) on the mound against the Shuckers' righthander Christian Mejas (4-6, 6.31 ERA).

Pregame activities will begin at 6:15 p.m., including ceremonial first pitches and special guest introductions. The official first pitch of the game will be at 6:35 p.m.

The game will be televised on WFGX MyTV 35, plus an audio broadcast beginning at 6:30 on BlueWahoos.com, the MiLB First Pitch app (radio), Bally Live, and MiLB.tv (video).

For more information, visit BlueWahoos.com or contact the box office at (850) 934-8444.

Check out the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Statistics




Images from this story

Pensacola Blue Wahoo' M.D. Johnson on the mound
Pensacola Blue Wahoo' M.D. Johnson on the mound
   



Southern League Stories from July 6, 2023


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.

OurSports Central