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SL1 Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Seth Mejias-Brean Steals Two Bases, Scores Winning Run

May 18, 2015 - Southern League (SL1)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release


PENSACOLA, Fla., - It took Little Heroes Night to help the Pensacola Blue Wahoos stop a two-game skid to the Mississippi Braves Monday.

Seth "Superman" Mejias-Brean (running faster than a speeding bullet, of course) scored the winning run, 4-3, for Pensacola when Juan "Superman" Silva doubled to left field just inside the chalk in the sixth inning in front of 3,604 fans at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.

Superman was, in fact, the top super hero pick of the Blue Wahoos players and Pensacola Manager Pat Kelly on the promotion at the ballpark Monday. Each player chose their top characters.

Mejias-Brean a three-sport star in high school in Tucson, Ariz., showed off his speed Monday. In the sixth, he reached first on an infield single to third and then ended up stealing second base on a hit-and-run. It was his second steal of the night after stealing just one base in his previous 100 games at Pensacola.

Kelly said Mejias-Brean has deceptive speed and called him one of the Blue Wahoos top base runners.

"He gets those size 16's going and covers some ground," Kelly said. "He's a much better athlete than people give him credit for."

Mejias-Brean was in a 3-36 slump hitting .083 before going 8-25 or .320 in his last seven games. After going 2-4 on two singles, he's reached base in his last eight games. He laughed off his two stolen bases Monday.

"I've always had the green light to go," he said. "I don't show off (my speed) too often but it's there."

The "Supermans" bailed out Robert "The Hulk" Stephenson, who started the game for Pensacola and got his second win in a row. He left after six innings, having given up three earned runs on a home run blast by Kevin Ahrens in the third inning. Stephenson gave up six hits, two walks and struck out six.

Stephenson liked his Blue Wahoos graphic as "The Hulk," except for his mustache. He's shaved it off but was sporting it earlier in the season when team pictures were taken. Stephenson, the Cincinnati Reds top prospect the past two seasons and a 27th pick in the first round in 2011, said he's come to rely on his non-Hulk like changeup, instead of his mid-90s fastball. He struck out four Mississippi batters with his changeup on Monday.

"I had that just one bad pitch," Stephenson said. "Just being able to throw the fastball down in the zone and then show the change up after allows me to get some swings on it. I think our pitching has been outstanding."

Pensacola got on the scoreboard first when Marquez Smith lined a grounder off of Mississippi pitcher Jake Brigham's right leg. Second baseman Ryan Wright scored to put Pensacola ahead, 1-0, for the first time in three games against Mississippi. Meanwhile, Brigham walked off the field and was relieved by Mark Lamm.

The Blue Wahoos have won eight of their last 11 games, scoring five runs in half of those games, while throwing two shutouts and allowing just one run four times. Pensacola moved out of last place in the Southern League South Division at 16-22, one game ahead of the Jacksonville Suns.

GAME NOTES

The fourth game of the five-game series is scheduled at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday with the Atlanta Braves Double-A affiliate Mississippi Braves. RHP Daniel Wright (1-4, 6.21) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Braves RHP Greg Ross (2-2, 4.83).

Our Fat Tuesday promotion is sold out for this game, but our Winn-Dixie Party Deck is sold to fans as an all-you-can-eat ticket on Tuesday's the rest of the season. Papa John's, Moe's Southwest Grill, Hemingway's Island Grill, Beef 'O' Brady's and Cactus Cantina will provide food items, while the Blue Wahoos will provide hamburgers, hot dogs and popcorn.

The game is broadcast live on the Blue Wahoos flagship station NewsRadio1620 (WNRP-AM). Listen for free at bluewahoos.com and by using the TuneIn Radio app on your mobile, desktop or home devices. Stream Wahoos games on MiLB.TV, a subscription-based service provided by Minor League Baseball.

BIG FISH

Third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean, who stole one base in his first 100 games, stole twice in consecutive at-bats on Monday. He went 2-4, scored the winning run and has now reached base in eight consecutive games...Second baseman Ryan Wright was 2-4 with two runs and a stolen base. He's among team leaders in hitting .316 for month of May...Kyle Waldrop has now hit in 10 of 11 games, going 2-4 with a double. Waldrop has hit .381 during his current streak and has six multi-hit games.

BLUE WAHOOS FAVORITE SUPER HERO

On Little Heroes Night, each Pensacola player chose their favorite Super Hero. The overwhelming choice? Superman.

In fact, both third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean and left fielder Juan Silva in Monday's starting lineup chose the hero who is faster than a speeding bullet and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.

Shortstop Juan Perez chose Iron Man while starting pitcher Robert Stephenson was the Hulk. His scoreboard graphic looked the best with the bulging muscles and green face.

SUPPORT THE TROOPS During the month of May, the Blue Wahoos and Whataburger are teaming up to collect donations for USA Northwest Florida. The USO will deliver the items directly to the troops currently serving the United States. Fans who donate during the drive will receive a coupon for a free Whataburger. This week fans can drop off single-serve microwavable snacks such as mac and cheese, ramen noodles and raviolis. Bottled water will be accepted all month long.

The Blue Wahoos return home to play 10 games against the Mississippi Braves May 16th-20th and the Jackson Generals May 21st-25th. Come experience the family-fun entertainment! You can follow the team at BlueWahoos.com, facebook.com/PensacolaBlueWahoos andtwitter.com/BlueWahoosBBall.

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Southern League Stories from May 18, 2015


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