SL Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Pensacola's Push Comes Up Just Short In Eighth Straight Loss

Published on August 16, 2023 under Southern League (SL)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release


Pensacola Blue Wahoos' Will Banfield at bat
Pensacola Blue Wahoos' Will Banfield at bat
(Pensacola Blue Wahoos)

Pensacola, Fla. - One of the fastest games of the season Wednesday only accelerated the Blue Wahoos' near-record slide.

Typifying the team's current woes, it also ended a few feet short of walk-off heroics.

With teammate José Devers on first, Paul McIntosh drove a two-out, 3-2 pitch in the ninth inning that initially teased a dramatic finish, but instead it was caught at the base of the centerfield wall to seal the Montgomery Biscuits' 2-1 win and the Blue Wahoos' eighth consecutive loss.

The Blue Wahoos will need a win Thursday at Blue Wahoos Stadium to avoid matching the longest losing streak (9 games) in team history. Earlier this season, back in May, this team set the longest win streak (10 games) in the midst of winning 18 of 19 games.

Right now, any win has become elusive.

Wednesday, designated hitter Will Banfield provided the lone Pensacola jolt when he blasted a fourth-inning home run in that halved the Montgomery lead. Banfield's homer was the 127th hit this season by the Blue Wahoos, passing the 2019 team for the most in a single season.

But that became the last Blue Wahoos hit in the game. They had just three. McIntosh followed by reaching on error. From that point, however, Montgomery pitchers retired the next 15 batters in succession, before Devers coaxed a one-out walk in the ninth inning.

Biscuits reliever Antonio Menendez recorded his second save by getting Banfield to pop out, then escaping a potential game-winning homer by McIntosh.

Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios gave up nine hits in six innings, but pitched out of worse damage and allowed just two runs.

Miami Marlins reliever Tommy Nance, pitching on an injury rehab assignment, looked strong when following with two scoreless innings. Dylan Bice ended the top of the ninth with a strikeout to strand two Biscuits runners.

Had McIntosh's ball carried just a few more feet, it could have been the right kind of end.

The Blue Wahoos (20-21) dropped under .500 for the second half of the season and are 61-47 overall.

The third game of the series with Montgomery is Thursday and features the annual Mardi Gras Night at the stadium. Several of Pensacola's most popular krewes will be participating in a ballpark-style Mardi Gras parade on the concourse, with bead throws and other items, such as candy, tossed into the crowd.

It's also "Mullet Thursday" as the promotion, which includes the Blue Wahoos taking on their alternate identity on Thursday home games as the Pensacola Mullets. There will also be beverage specials for those of legal age throughout the game at different locations throughout the ballpark.

Pregame activities will begin at 6:15 p.m., including ceremonial first pitches and special guest introductions. The official first pitch of the game will be at 6:35 p.m.

The game will be available through a broadcast beginning at 6:30 on BlueWahoos.com, the MiLB First Pitch app (radio), Bally Live, and MiLB.tv (video).

For more information, visit BlueWahoos.com or contact the box office at (850) 934-8444.

Check out the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Statistics

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Images from this story

Pensacola Blue Wahoos' Will Banfield at bat
Pensacola Blue Wahoos' Will Banfield at bat
   



Southern League Stories from August 16, 2023


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