Staying on Top, BayBears Win Third Straight First-Half Title
Published on June 14, 2014 under Southern League (SL1)
Mobile BayBears News Release
MOBILE, AL -- The Mobile BayBears (41-26) erased an eight-run deficit before ultimately falling to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (30-38) 14-13 at Hank Aaron Stadium Friday night. The BayBears dropped the game but still celebrated after clinching a Southern League first-half title after Mississippi lost to Tennessee earlier in the night, eliminating the M-Braves and sending the BayBears back to the postseason for a fifth straight year.
With the most recent first-half championship, the BayBears are now 3-for-3 with Andy Green at the helm as the BayBears' manager. In his first season as the team's manager last year, he led Mobile to the divisional championship in both the first and second half. Now he has led the BayBears to the first-half title in 2014.
Friday also marked Mobile's fourth title in the last six halves. It's the seventh time since 2010 the BayBears have finished second or better in the South Division.
Pensacola scored five runs in the first and second innings, jumping out to an early 10-2 lead headed into the third frame. Mobile then rallied for six unanswered runs, pulling the BayBears within two at the end of the sixth when the Blue Wahoo's lead was shortened to 10-8.
Pensacola finally scored again with three runs in the top of the eighth and added another run in the top of the ninth but Mobile matched the eighth inning scoring with three runs in the bottom of the inning and scored two more in the ninth. The BayBears ended the game with the tying run at the plate in the ninth inning, having erased the eight-run deficit, drawing back within one run and settling with the 14-13 final.
Jake Lamb and Evan Marzilli both paced the BayBears' comeback effort with a combined 7-for-9 effort, driving in 7 total runs. Both players finished with one home run. For Lamb, he launched his 11th of the year while Marzilli notched his first Double-A homer of his career.
Five BayBears relievers combined to pitch 7.2 innings. The bullpen allowed just two earned runs on three hits while walking three and striking out 12.
The BayBears have two games remaining in the first half, wrapping up their five game set with the Blue Wahoos Saturday and Sunday. The BayBears are league leaders in runs (330), homers (54), RBI (312), doubles (192), total bases (904), slugging percentage (.409) and OPS (.749). The Mobile pitching staff also sports a 3.07 ERA, tops in the Southern League.
The BayBears conclude their final home series before the All-Star Break with game four of the series with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Saturday night starting at 6:05 PM at Hank Aaron Stadium. Tickets to all BayBears' 2014 home games are available for sale now by calling 251.479.BEAR or online at MobileBayBears.com.
Southern League Stories from June 14, 2014
- Suns Explode in 12-4 Rout of Generals - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Stars Sweep Chattanooga - Huntsville Stars
- Sellout Crowd Watches Biscuits Top Barons 5-2 - Birmingham Barons
- Biscuits Defeat Barons, Take Series - Montgomery Biscuits
- Suns Exact Revenge On Generals Saturday - Jackson Generals
- Choi & Kohlscheen to AAA Tacoma, Landazuri Activated from DL - Jackson Generals
- Mincey to Jacksonville - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Staying on Top, BayBears Win Third Straight First-Half Title - Mobile BayBears
- Wahoos Survive Slugfest 14-13 - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Wahoos Survive Slugfest 14-13 - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Barons Fall to Biscuits in 14-Inning Marathon - Birmingham Barons
- Floro Continues Dominance, Biscuits Win Marathon - Montgomery Biscuits
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