Pensacola Takes Series against Jacksonville, 3-2
June 4, 2014 - Southern League (SL1)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Michael Lorenzen, Rey Navarro and Steve Selsky turned in All-Star performances for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Wednesday.
And, guess, what? They are according to the Southern League which also selected pitchers Jon Moscot and Robert Stephenson to the South Division team earlier in the day.
Lorenzen shut out the Jacksonville Suns for five innings. Navarro doubled and tripled and scored two runs. And Selsky came through with a pinch-hit single that drove in a run.
Their play and other contributions led Pensacola to a, 7-3, victory over Jacksonville and helped them capture the five-game homestand, 3-2.
"I definitely feel blessed and praise God for it," said Lorenzen, who about this time last year was drafted by the parent club Cincinnati Reds in the first round. "I feel I've gotten this far by a lot of humility and listening."
He also added it's no surprise to him that the Wahoos put three of their five starters on the All-Star team.
"Deep down inside we are all very competitive and it makes us better," Lorenzen said. "We're always helping each other."
It's Navarro's fourth selection as a league's All-Star. Last night, the shortstop's two hits extended his hitting streak to six games and his on-base streak to 13 games. He leads the team with 29 RBI and has launched seven homers.
"I'm excited," Navarro said about playing in the All-Star game Tuesday, June 17 in Chattanooga, Tenn. "I knew I was having a good year but I didn't expect it."
Meanwhile, Selsky extended his hitting streak to eight games and is now 9-for-20 or .450 in that span. He's hitting .306 this season.
Stephenson, the No. 1 pick in 2011 and Cincinnati's top prospect, was an All-Star selection for the second year in a row. He is allowing opposing batters to hit just .206 off him, fifth in the Southern League.
"It's pretty cool," Stephenson said. "You never know what to expect but we knew our rotation was pretty impressive at the beginning of the year."
GAME NOTES
The first game of a five-game series at the Tampa Bay Rays Double-A affiliate the Montgomery Biscuits gets underway at 7:05 p.m. Thursday. RHP Daniel Corcino (5-4, 3.27) is set to start for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Biscuits LHP Grayson Garvin (0-1, 2.03). The next Blue Wahoos homestand begins Thursday, June 19 against the Huntsville Stars. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN Pensacola at 101.1 FM and 1450 AM.
The Wahoos scored five runs or more, so use promo code WAHOOS at Papa.Johns.com for 50% off your entire order.
BIG FISH
Wahoos first baseman Travis Mattair was 2-for-4 with a triple, two runs scored and an RBI...Left fielder Juan Duran was 1-for-3 with a triple, RBI and run scored...Catcher Ross Perez finished 1-for-3 with a run scored and 2 RBI.
MORE ON ALL-STARS
The Southern League named five Pensacola Blue Wahoos to the All-Star team. They include: shortstop/second baseman Rey Navarro, who was voted in as the designated hitter, outfielder Steve Selsky, and three of the team's five-man pitching rotation, Michael Lorenzen, Jon Moscot and Robert Stephenson.
The Wahoos players made the South Division team that is scheduled to face the North Division team Tuesday, June 17 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Navarro, in his first season with the Reds organization, hit .313 in May. Selsky in his second year at the Double-A level is hitting .306 with 17 RBI. Lorenzen, drafted by Cincinnati in the first round last June, is ranked ninth in the league with a 2.80 ERA. Moscot, a fourth round pick by the Reds in 2012, has the league's fourth best ERA at 2.33 and, is tied for third in strikeouts with 59. Stephenson, the No. 16 prospect in all of baseball according to MLB.com, is second in the league in strikeouts with 67.
"Congrats to these guys on making the all-star team," Blue Wahoos manager Delino DeShields said. "This is a very well deserved honor for all of these guys who have worked hard all season long to this point."
MIGUEL TEJADA WATCH
On Day 5 with the Jacksonville Suns, Tejada came out of the game in the fourth inning after backhanding a grounder by Wahoos Juan Silverio and making a throw that pulled the first baseman up the line. He was charged with an error. Tejada, though, made a highlight reel-worthy play when he raced in on a good bunt, grabbed it barehanded and got the runner at first for the out.
At the plate, Tejada singled to right field and struck out in two at bats. For the series, he was 5-14 for a .357 average. He also scored twice.
The 40-year-old Tejada, a six-time All-Star and American League MVP in 2002, is trying to make a comeback after a 105-game suspension. Major League Baseball suspended him until June 7 for testing positive for amphetamines. Tejada said he will play Thursday for Jacksonville, who hosts the Tennessee Smokies, and then is ready to join the Miami Marlins roster.
"I'm ready. I'm prepared," Tejada said before Wednesday's game. "I'm facing these young guys and I'm hitting the ball. I think I can help the Marlins and the young kids. It has been really tough for me but it has made me strong. I made a mistake. I paid for the mistake, so I'm here. This game has meant everything to me."
Southern League Stories from June 4, 2014
- Loman's Launch Bakes Biscuits - Mississippi Braves
- Biscuits Homer Twice in Loss to Braves - Montgomery Biscuits
- Pensacola Takes Series against Jacksonville, 3-2 - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Pensacola Pounds Suns 7-3 in Rubber Match - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Wahoos Add Lefty Hyde to Bullpen - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Five Blue Wahoos Named Southern League All-Stars - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Haniger Powers Stars to Victory - Huntsville Stars
- Haniger, Stars Slip by Generals in Series Finale 7-5 - Jackson Generals
- Lookouts Fall Behind Early and Lose Final Game of Series to Mobile - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Six M-Braves Named Southern League All-Stars - Mississippi Braves
- Brett, Motter and Maile Selected to All-Star Team - Montgomery Biscuits
- Barons Drop Series Finale to Smokies 4-1 - Birmingham Barons
- The Caribbean Is Coming to Regions Field on June 13th - Birmingham Barons
- Higgins to Disabled List - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Stars Host 10 Game Homestand - Huntsville Stars
- Barons Welcome Generals, Biscuits to Regions Field for 10-Game Homestand - Birmingham Barons
- Game Information vs Huntsville - 12:05 CT - Jackson Generals
- Suns Smoke the Smokies Through Monday - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- M-Braves Gain in Playoff Race with Wild Win - Mississippi Braves
- Stars Drop Three Straight - Huntsville Stars
- Biscuits Comeback Squashed in Ninth - Montgomery Biscuits
- Generals Win Third Straight over Stars, Take Series - Jackson Generals
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.
