Pensacola Falters Late, Loses 3-2 in 10

August 31, 2018 - Southern League (SL1)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release

KODAK, Tenn. - With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 10th, Alex Powers (L, 2-2) plunked Zack Short to bring home the winning run as the Smokies took Friday's contest 3-2 on Friday.

After taking the lead in the top of the extra frame, the Wahoos simply couldn't hold on, even with their closer on the mound. Powers made quick work of P.J. Higgins, Vimael Machin delivered an 0-2 single to center to put runners on the corners. With Tyler Alamo batting, Powers fell behind on a couple borderline pitches over the outside corner. Alamo eventually walked to load the bases, and Powers ran into the same problem with Wynton Bernard. He would eventually walk to bring home the tying run before Short was hit to end the game.

While the hit-by-pitch is the main story, Vladimir Gutierrez was nothing short of sensational for the Wahoos. After allowing a run on three hits in the first inning, Gutierrez did not allow another hit for the rest of his seven innings. He struck out seven, walked only one, and retired the final 16 Smokies to close out his final start of the regular season.

Jesus Reyes replaced Gutierrez and tossed two shutout innings for the Wahoos. Excluding the first inning, the Smokies sent 30 men to the plate spanning 8.1 innings before they picked up another base hit. However, their walk-off win puts Pensacola's postseason hopes in jeopardy. With Biloxi winning at home against the Barons, the Wahoos trail the Shuckers by 1.5 games in the second-half standings, with only three to play.

The series continues Saturday night in a must-win game for the Wahoos. RHP Tony Santillan (4-3, 3.49) will get the start for Pensacola and he will be opposed by RHP Thomas Hatch (8-6, 3.72). Saturday's middle game can be heard on the radio at 97.1 The Ticket/1490 AM Milton, and www.bluewahoos.com.

Southern League Stories from August 31, 2018

• BayBears Lead Slips Away in Two-Run Loss to Biscuits - Mobile BayBears
• Webb Spins a Gem in Shuckers Shutout of Barons - Biloxi Shuckers
• Biscuits Scoot Past BayBears, 5-3 - Montgomery Biscuits
• Chattanooga's Wells Quiets Generals Bats - Jackson Generals
• Jacksonville Uses Five-Run Sixth Inning to Best M-Braves 5-1 on Friday Night - Mississippi Braves
• Lookouts Team Effort Leads to Win - Chattanooga Lookouts
• Neidert Pitches, Swings Jumbo Shrimp Past Braves, 5-1 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
• Barons Bats Stifled In Biloxi, 7-0 - Birmingham Barons
• Smokies Win on Walk-Off Hit by Pitch - Knoxville Smokies
• Pensacola Falters Late, Loses 3-2 in 10 - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
• Medrano, DeLuzio, Westbrook Named Postseason All-Stars - Jackson Generals
• Five Shuckers Tabbed to Play in Arizona Fall League - Biloxi Shuckers
• M-Braves Sweep Thursday Doubleheader in Jacksonville - Mississippi Braves

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.

Other Recent Pensacola Blue Wahoos Stories

• Snyder Lifts Wahoos to Walk-Off 4-3 Win
• Blue Wahoos' Bats Silenced in 5-1 Loss to Lookouts
• Wahoos Explode for 16 Runs in Blowout Return from Break
• Wahoos Head to All-Star Break with 4-1 Loss to Clingstones
• Wahoos Avoid No-Hitter, But Fall 2-1 to Clingstones