Lively Flirts with No-Hitter in Wahoos' 6-4 Win
July 31, 2014 - Southern League (SL1)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release
KODAK, Tenn. - Blue Wahoos starter Ben Lively (W, 1-5) took a no-hitter into the eighth inning as he earned his first Double-A win on Thursday night at Smokies Park. It was the furthest a Blue Wahoos pitcher has taken a no-hitter since Daniel Corcino and Wilkin De La Rosa no-hit the Mobile BayBears in 2012. Despite Lively's strong start, Pensacola still had to hold on for a 6-4 win to open the five-game series with Tennessee.
Lively walked Smokies catcher Luis Flores leading off the third inning, and that was the only base runner he allowed until Christian Villanueva singled through the left side of the infield with one out in the eighth inning to break up the no-hitter. The walk was quickly erased on a double play a batter later allowing him to face the minimum until Villanueva's single. Jonathan Mota singled behind Villanueva to chase Lively from the game. He was finished after 7.1 innings with just the two singles allowed, one walk and six strikeouts.
Pensacola scored early and often against Smokies starter Felix Pena (L, 0-1), who was making his Double-A debut. Pensacola took a 1-0 lead with three hits in the first inning. Ross Perez doubled home two more runs in the third before Seth Mejias-Brean and Juan Duran hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning. Pena was charged with the loss after allowing 5 R/ER over 4.0 innings.
Perez paced the Wahoos offensively with a 3-for-4 game and four RBI. Yorman Rodriguez also had a big day with a 3-for-5 night and three runs scored.
The Smokies rallied for all four of their runs against Blue Wahoos relievers Drew Hayes and Ben Klimesh in the eighth after Lively exited the game. Shane Dyer (S, 13) was able to restore order with a scoreless ninth inning to preserve the win and earn the save.
Pensacola will go for their third straight win in the second of the five-game series with Tennessee on Friday night. The Wahoos will send RHP Daniel Corcino (9-9, 4.44) to the mound against Smokies RHP Corey Black (5-2, 2.93). First pitch is set for 6:15 p.m. CT from Smokies Park.
Southern League Stories from July 31, 2014
- Biscuits Break Out For 12-2 Thrashing Of Generals Thursday - Jackson Generals
- M-Braves Take Opener from BayBears - Mississippi Braves
- Lively Flirts with No-Hitter in Wahoos' 6-4 Win - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Lookouts Drop First Game of Series, 6-4 - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Stars Drop Opener to Jacksvonville - Huntsville Stars
- Barons Swat Three Homers in 6-4 Win over Lookouts - Birmingham Barons
- Lively Flirts with No-Hitter in Wahoos' 6-4 Win - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Smokies Break up No-Hit Bid, Fall Short in 6-4 Defeat - Knoxville Smokies
- Pena transferred to Tennessee from High-A Daytona; Antigua placed on Disabled List - Knoxville Smokies
- Suns Continue Playoff Push against Braves Through Sunday, August 10th - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Barons Make a Flurry of Roster Moves - Birmingham Barons
- BayBears Announce New General Manager - Mobile BayBears
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