Playoff Bound Wahoos Drop Season Finale 3-0

Published on September 3, 2018 under Southern League (SL1)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release

KODAK, Tenn. - Pensacola missed out on a chance to win the second-half title with a 3-0 loss to the Smokies on Labor Day at Smokies Stadium.

Offense was hard to come by for both teams on Monday. All three of Tennessee's runs came in the third inning after the Wahoos ran into injury trouble. Wyatt Strahan (L, 7-12) started the game and left with one out in the bottom of the third due to a blister on his pitching hand. Rafael De Paula replaced Strahan and with his third pitch to P.J. Higgins, he struck in the hand by a line drive, which forced him to leave the game. Higgins's single loaded the bases, and it forced Carlos Navas to enter the game. He allowed a bases-clearing double to Eddy Martinez to give the Smokies a 3-0 lead.

Keegan Thompson (W, 6-3) pitched five shutout innings and allowed one hit while striking out five. Only twice were the Wahoos able to move runners into scoring position; however, the Wahoos were unable to cash in on either of those opportunities.

Pensacola's bullpen was nothing short of brilliant given the circumstances of Monday's contest. After Navas allowed the double to Martinez, the bullpen pitched 5.2 hitless innings. Nick Howard pitch three innings after making an appearance in Sunday's win and Alejandro Chacin closed out the eighth inning in order.

Pensacola and Biloxi will open the 2018 Southern League Playoffs on Wednesday at MGM Park. The Shuckers won both halves, which means that four of the five games will be played in Biloxi if needed. Neither team has disclosed who will start the playoff opener, which is expected to begin at 6:35 p.m. CT. Wednesday's playoff opener can be heard on 97.1 The Ticket/1490 AM Milton, and www.bluewahoos.com.

Southern League Stories from September 3, 2018

• Biloxi Wins Second Half Despite 6-4 Result against Birmingham - Biloxi Shuckers
• Braves Defeat Jumbo Shrimp in Season Finale, 4-1 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
• Lookouts Give Playoff-Bound Generals the Slip Late, 4-2 - Jackson Generals
• Barons End Season With 6-4 Win In Biloxi - Birmingham Barons
• Comeback Win in Finale - Chattanooga Lookouts
• M-Braves Finish 2018 Season with a 4-1 Victory at Jacksonville on Monday - Mississippi Braves
• Jacksonville Continues Strong Support of Jumbo Shrimp - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
• Unroe, BayBears Walk-Off Biscuits, 4-3 - Montgomery Biscuits
• Smokies Win Final Game of the Season - Knoxville Smokies
• Playoff Bound Wahoos Drop Season Finale 3-0 - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
• The Blue Wahoos Are Back in the Playoffs - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
• Demeritte and Muller Named M-Braves Players of the Month by Atlanta Braves - 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

• Green's Dramatic Double Gives Wahoos One-Hitter Win
• Pensacola Blue Wahoos Announce 2026 Home Schedule
• Milbrandt Makes Strong Debut, But Wahoos Fall Again in Biloxi
• Dub's Birthday Doubles Not Enough in Loss to Shuckers
• Wahoos Fall Short in Extras, Lose Homestand Finale