
Late Rally Falls Just Short as Wahoos Lose 3-2
April 13, 2018 - Southern League (SL1)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release
Pensacola, FL. - After a promising start to the game, the Blue Wahoos offense never quite found its rhythm. The Wahoos collected three hits in the first inning but didn't get another hit until the sixth.
Randy LeBlanc took the mound for the Lookouts and struggled the find the strike zone right out of the gates. With two outs in the first, Gavin LaValley doubled to right before Gabby Guerrero and Josh VanMeter both drew walks. Aristides Aquino then ripped a single into to left to bring home LaValley, but the Wahoos tried to sneak another run home, but Chris Paul fired a strong throw home to the plate to throw out Guerrero.
Pensacola left the inning feeling cheated they only scored once.
For the Blue Wahoos, Vladimir Gutierrez made his first home start for the Wahoos and once again showed moments of brilliance despite pocketing the loss. A week after allowing a career high in walks, the 23-year old Cuban issued no free passes to the Lookouts over his six innings. Instead, Gutierrez was nicked for three runs after scattering nine hits and striking out four.
Chattanooga broke through in the third inning when Nick Gordon muscled a triple through the teeth of the wind and then scored on Zander Wiel's RBI single. In the fourth, the Lookouts added two more when they strung together a three-hit rally that included a hit batsman.
With two on, Ryan Walker singled home Brent Rooker before Gordon added the second of his two-hit night to score catcher Brian Navaretto and make it a 3-1 Chattanooga lead.
After the first inning, the Blue Wahoos wouldn't record another hit until the sixth inning when LaValley singled to right to lead off the inning. A rally never came to be because the next two hitters flew out and grounded into a double-play, respectively.
Pensacola tried to conjure up some late magic in the eighth inning when Shed Long led off the inning with a single. Alfredo Rodriguez then hit into what appeared to be a fielder's choice, but no Lookouts infielders were covering the bag at second allowing everyone to be safe. LaValley added his third hit of the night to load the bases, setting the stage for Guerrero. Although the Wahoos center fielder didn't disappoint, the fish were snake bitten again by Lookouts defense again.
Guerrero singled to center scoring Long, but Rodriguez was thrown out by LaMonte Wade at the plate to keep the score line at 3-2. With the tying run still at second, VanMeter struck out to end the threat.
Chattanooga called on Williams Ramirez to finish off the Wahoos, and despite allowing a leadoff single to Aquino, he retired the next three batters in order to give the Lookouts their first win of the season.
Tomorrow night Jesus Reyes (0-1, 13.50) will try to clinch the series win for the Wahoos against southpaw Lewis Thorpe (0-1, 8.31). Immediately after the game, the Blue Wahoos will light up the night sky with the first fireworks Saturday of the season thanks to Marcus Pointe Baptist Church. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 PM CT.
Southern League Stories from April 13, 2018
- Speed, Power Lead Barons To 5-4 Win - Birmingham Barons
- The Generals Bullpen Excelled--Was That Enough on Friday? - Jackson Generals
- Braves Blow Lead in 8th, Lose to Shuckers 5-4 - Mississippi Braves
- Four-Run Eighth Fuels Shuckers' Franchise Record Seventh Straight Win - Biloxi Shuckers
- Biscuits Rally Falls Short in 5-4 Loss to Barons - Montgomery Biscuits
- Brigham Brilliant as Shrimp Top BayBears, 9-2 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Lookouts Earn First Win over Wahoos - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Late Rally Falls Just Short as Wahoos Lose 3-2 - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Smokies Win in Walk-Off Fashion - Knoxville Smokies
- BayBears Plate Two in Sixth, Shrimp Explode in Eighth Again - Mobile BayBears
- Biscuits Support EJI Museum & Memorial for Peace and Justice - Montgomery Biscuits
- Wahoos Add Two Pitchers from Daytona - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- M-Braves Homestand Highlights, April 16-20 - Mississippi Braves
- Lookouts Shutout in Game Two - Chattanooga Lookouts
- D-Backs Add RHP Ryan Atkinson to Generals - Jackson Generals
- Barons Edge Biscuits, 5-2 - Montgomery Biscuits
- Ray Completes Comeback to Make It a Sweet Six for the Shuckers - Biloxi Shuckers
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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