LaValley's Slam Snaps Wahoos Skid
Published on May 2, 2018 under Southern League (SL1)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release
Pensacola, Fla. - Gavin LaValley came to plate in the seventh of a tie ballgame and gave the Wahoos the lead in grand fashion. He belted a go-ahead grand slam to lift the Wahoos over the Mississippi Braves 9-5 on Wednesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
LaValley swung at the first pitch he saw from Josh Graham (L, 2-2) and blasted Pensacola out of its three-game losing streak. Pensacola's five-run rally in the frame sealed the win in the series opener. The win was gritty, and the type of performance that surely impressed many of the Cincinnati Reds brass who were in attendance to watch the Double-A affiliate.
The start of the game was far from perfect for Daniel Wright and the Wahoos. Mississippi cashed in on a hit batsman and an error as the visitors scored twice in the opening inning. Michael Reed added to their lead in the second inning with his first home run of the season to make it 3-0.
Pensacola's first rally came in the fourth inning with the hosts trailing 3-1. After the first two batters reached safely, Brian O'Grady hit his second double of the game to bring home Josh VanMeter. Taylor Sparks followed with an RBI groundout, which tied the game at three. Garrett Boulware then gave the Wahoos their first lead with a sac fly to center to score O'Grady.
The lead didn't last long because Austin Riley homered with a man on in the fifth inning to reposition Mississippi ahead of Pensacola 5-4. Wright exited the contest after five innings and allowed five runs (four earned). He was replaced by Evan Mitchell (W, 1-0) who worked two scoreless innings in relief. Carlos Navas closed the game out the game with two shutout frames to clinch the win.
The Blue Wahoos bigger rally was in in the seventh when the home side scored five runs on four hits. Boulware and Alberti Chavez led off the inning with singles, and pinch-hitter Nick Longhi singled to right to score Boulware. After a groundout and an intentional walk to load the bases, LaValley lifted Graham's slider off Travis Demeritte's glove and over the wall for the first Wahoos grand slam since Eric Jagielo's slam back on May 5, 2016.
RHP Keury Mella (3-0) will put his Southern-League best 1.00 ERA on the line Thursday night against LHP Michael Mader (1-0, 2.81). Pensacola is a perfect 5-0 in games that Mella has started. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. and will be broadcasted live on CST. Radio coverage can be found on 97.1 The Ticket and www.bluewahoos.com.
Southern League Stories from May 2, 2018
- LaValley's Slam Snaps Wahoos Skid - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Smokies Drop Game One to Barons - Knoxville Smokies
- Vogt Homers to Back Jankins in 2-1 Win over Jumbo Shrimp - Biloxi Shuckers
- Birmingham Homers Smoke Tennessee, 8-3 - Birmingham Barons
- Lowe, Biscuits Punish Generals, 12-5 - Montgomery Biscuits
- Jumbo Shrimp Edged by Shuckers 2-1 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Chavez Added for Guerrero - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Brewers Catcher Stephen Vogt Added to Shuckers Roster - Biloxi Shuckers
- Lookouts Home for 10 Straight Games Starting May 7th - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Austin Dean (JAX) Named Southern League Player of the Month - SL1
- Dean Southern League Player of Month for April - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
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