SL1 Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Pensacola Drops Third Straight to Jacksonville, 4-3

July 2, 2014 - Southern League (SL1)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release


PENSACOLA, Fla. - Pensacola Blue Wahoos Jesse Winker saved a run in the fifth inning by throwing out a runner with a 300-foot laser beam to catcher Ross Perez at home.

Winker then smashed his first Double-A homer with a 410-foot shot to centerfield in the eighth inning that pulled Pensacola within a run of the Jacksonville Suns, 4-3, on Tuesday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.

In the end, Pensacola dropped its third straight game to the Suns by that same score. The one-run loss makes the Wahoos 13-19 on the season in those tight games.

Winker, who's now on a five-game hitting streak, said he remains confident at the plate, despite his .209 batting average in 12 games since being called up from High-A Bakersfield Blaze. In Bakersfield, he had hit .311 with eight home runs and 41 RBI.

"I'm trying to go to the plate every time and put a good swing on the ball," Winker said. "The ball seems to be finding the barrel right now and eventually I hope it finds the gaps and finds the holes."

Winker, who is the Cincinnati Reds No. 4 prospect, was recently chosen to play in the 16th annual SiriusXM All-Star Futures game for the U.S. team against the World team. Wahoos pitcher Robert Stephenson made the team, too, that will be played at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 13 at Target Field as part of Taco Bell All-Star Sunday and air live on television on MLB Network and MLB.com.

"It's a true honor to get to represent the Reds and the U.S.," Winker said. "It's a big honor. But I'm hoping we win a lot before I leave for the game. We could easily be 9-4, instead of 4-9. It's too early in the second half, though, to get frustrated. I feel we'll make a good push and storm the bay."

Blue Wahoos manager Delino DeShields said he hopes Winker's solo blast boosts his confidence.

"He really swung the bat tonight," DeShields said. "He caught that Gulf breeze up there."

DeShields also praised Wahoos starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen, who threw six innings and gave up two unearned runs, while striking out five. The two runs scored after an error by shortstop Deven Lohman.

The Suns Austin Nola, who has a 13-game hitting streak, hit a triple to the right center gap that scored two runs. However, Lorenzen left with a 2-2 tie after Perez's double in the fourth inning scored two runs.

"(Lorenzen) was solid tonight," DeShields said. "He should have had a shutout. That was one of his better efforts on the season."

GAME NOTES

The fourth game of the five-game series with Miami Marlins Double-A affiliate the Jacksonville Suns gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. RHP Robert Stephenson (3-6, 4.17) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Suns LHP Justin Nicolino (7-2, 3.07).

Every Wednesday enjoy games, prizes and a postgame Kids Run the Bases presented by Hi-Chew. The Blue Wahoos are hosting "Pensacola Heroes Night" to show appreciation for the area's first responders. Police, fire fighters and medical professionals will go head-to-head during in-game contests. Plus, emergency vehicles will be on display outside the stadium's main gates.

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.

BIG FISH

Leftfielder Jesse Winker hit a 410-foot shot over the right centerfield wall for his first Double-A home run...Catcher Ross Perez went 1-4 with a double that knocked in two runs with two outs...Shortstop Devin Lohman smacked a single to center for the Wahoos first hit of the game in the fourth inning and scored...Third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean went 1-3 at the plate and scored and made five assists in the field, including a diving nab to his left to throw out the hitter...Second baseman Ryan Wright went 1-4 to extend his hitting .

REALMUTO RETURNS

The last time Jacksonville Suns' catcher J.T. Realmuto played in Pensacola, he earned a call to the parent club Miami Marlins in the middle of the May 31 game after two at bats. The 23-year-old made his Major League debut behind the plate June 5 against the Tampa Bay Rays, going 2-4 with 3 RBI. He played seven games in all through June 19, filling in for Marlins catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia who went on the Disabled List with a concussion. Realmuto collected four hits in 20 at bats for a .200 average and knocked in five runs during his big league stint.

"It was nice to get my feet wet and get to watch those guys and how they do business," Realmuto said. "I don't have a timetable but I'd like to get back there as soon as possible."

The Blue Wahoos would be just fine with that. In 11 games against Pensacola, Realmuto is hitting .341 with 10 runs, two home runs and 14 RBI. On the season, Realmuto leads or is among the leaders in every hitting category for Jacksonville, batting .303 with six home runs and 36 RBI and he has seven steals. His Plus, he's thrown out 15 of 32 runners trying to steal.

Realmuto was chosen for the Southern League All-Star game June 17 and the Miami Marlins gave him the option to fly to Chattanooga, Tenn., to play in it. "I told them I'd be all right and stay here."

RELIEF EFFORT

All three Pensacola Blue Wahoos relievers added Monday pitched in the game. Right-hander Hector Nelo went 1.2 innings, allowing four runs and two earned on three hits and a walk and also had a strikeout. Righty Fabio Castillo relieved Nelo and gave up a single that scored a run and earned a strikeout. Left-hander Scott Maine threw one shutout inning, walked two and benefited from a double play.

TWO DAYS OF FIREWORKS

A special choreographed Fireworks Extravaganza show follows the Thursday July 3 game thanks to Hancock Bank. In addition on Thursday, the Blue Wahoos Booster Club and VFW Post 706 are collecting at the Main Gate used, torn, and faded flags of ALL sizes that need to be properly retired. The VFW along with their Boy Scout Troop plan to retire them in a ceremony held later.

Then on Independence Day Friday, July 4 the Blue Wahoos are hosting Family Day. The Fourth of July Celebration begins at 6 p.m. for a night of family fun leading up to the Sertoma Fireworks. Guests can enjoy food, games, The Lego Movie and the best seats available for the evening's fireworks display over Pensacola Bay. The event is free to the public.

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