SL1 Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Pensacola Rallies For, 4-3, Win in 11th Inning

Published on June 22, 2014 under Southern League (SL1)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release


PENSACOLA, Fla. - Not only do the Pensacola Blue Wahoos boast three newly bald headed players who shaved their heads in front of the dugout before the game to raise money for children with cancer, they might have started a new hairstyle trend.

The bald Wahoos were instrumental in Pensacola's rally, with bald Brodie Greene starting a ninth inning rally that tied the game, 3-3, and the bald Travis Mattair slamming a walkoff, ground rule double on one-hop over the centerfield fence to give the team a, 4-3, victory over the Huntsville Stars in the 11th inning. The win tied the series 2-2.

Mattair was mobbed at second base by his teammates as Jesse Winker crossed the plate with the winning run.

Mattair had helped push for the Blue Wahoos to support 4-year-old Carolyn Hendrix who had a rare cancer. She was declared cancer free at the end of May. And Sunday, Mattair, Greene and Josh Fellhauer, along with season ticket holder JRoAnne Bergman shaved their head in front of fans and the Hendrix family to raise money for the St. Baldrick's organization.

"This is a great cause and the Hendrix family is just awesome," said Mattair, who got to meet and hug Carolyn in the dugout before the game. "She has been through a lot and she put life in perspective for me."

In the past five games, Mattair had only two hits in 16 at bats. The previous game he struck out three times in four plate appearances.

"It was a great feeling to get a game winner like that," said Mattair, who signed about 50 autographs after the game. "I just have to keep putting my work in. I've been in this situation before and crawled out of it and I'll do it again."

Pensacola manager Delino DeShields said it made him happy to see Mattair come through with the RBI double to win the game.

"We need his offense," DeShields said. "Hopefully, he can keep it going."

Pensacola was down two runs heading into their last at bat in the ninth inning, when Greene started the rally with a leadoff walk. The Wahoos managed to load the bases with one out when Mattair took a fastball in the back from Huntsville reliever Tanner Poppe. That scored Greene and pulled Pensacola within one run, 3-2.

Then the Blue Wahoos tied it, 3-3, on a high inside pitch to Ryan Wright that got past Huntsville catcher Joey Paciorek and allowed Jesse Winker to score from third.

Pensacola starting pitcher Robert Stephenson entered the game having given up 12 runs, 10 earned in his previous three starts. But Stephenson held Huntsville to three runs over seven innings with two of those coming on solo home run blasts by Joey Paciorek and Greg Hopkins in the second inning. Stephenson, who was the 27th pick in the first round in 2011, struck out seven and now has 80 on the year in 77 innings.

As far as more Blue Wahoos show up bald?

DeShields who has no hair said after the game: "We may have to talk about that."

Mattair also weighed in on sporting a bald head for the first time as an adult. "I was a lot cooler out there. I enjoyed it and I will recommend it to people."

GAME NOTES

The finale of the five-game series with Milwaukee Brewers Double-A affiliate the Huntsville Stars gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Monday. RHP Ben Lively (10-1, 2.28 at Bakersfield) is making his debut for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Stars RHP Andy Moye (7-5, 3.65). It's Social Media Monday that allows fans to connect with the Blue Wahoos social channels using #WahoosLife to win prizes, seat upgrades or to have your message displayed on the video board.

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 Wahoos right fielder Kyle Waldrop's 19 game hitting streak ended as he went 0-2...Jesse Winker went 1-3 with a crucial single in the 9th inning and scored three times...Ross Perez was 2-4 on the night and drove in a run. The catcher has earned a hit in 12 of the past 14 games...Yorman Rodriguez had a single in the third inning to extend his hitting streak to five games...Reliever Carlos Gonzalez earned his first win in Double-A for the Blue Wahoos by throwing a scoreless 10th and 11th inning. Before being called up this series, he had 15 saves and a 0.57 ERA at High-A Bakersfield.

CHEER ON USA! The Blue Wahoos are hosting a free event in the HBC Club at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 26 for the USA national soccer team game against Germany in the 2014 World Cup. The gates will open at 10:30 a.m. The Wahoos will offer food and drinks for purchase and a free viewing party. Parking will be available in the ballpark lot and there is no RSVP.

WAHOOS IN LOUISVILLE Several former Blue Wahoos who got called up to the Triple-A Louisville Bats after the All-Star break are making a good impression. Righty Justin Freeman pitched one inning and struck out one to earn his first save. Right fielder Steve Selsky is 3-for-8 in three games with a triple, three runs scored and three RBI. Third baseman Juan Silverio is batting .500, going 8-16 and scored five runs. And shortsop Rey Navarro has two hits in his seven at bats in three games.

BERSERK BIRDZERK Pensacola fans got many laughs Sunday thanks to the mischievous antics of Birdzerk throughout the game. The mascot got Huntsville Stars third baseman Jason Rogers to dance with him and then stole his glove when he wasn't looking. Birdzerk hopped on a cart and threw Roger's glove out of the stadium. Another time he snuck up on a planted umpire, slapped him on the butt and then did a perfectly choreographed dance routine that ended with the umpire twerking and doing a cartwheel.

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Southern League Stories from June 22, 2014


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