SL1 Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Wahoos Nab Nine Hits But Drop to Shuckers

Published on April 30, 2017 under Southern League (SL1)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release


PENSACOLA, Fla., - Pensacola Blue Wahoos manager Pat Kelly shook up his lineup Sunday to try to squeeze more hits and runs out of it.

It seemed like it would work with Pensacola ahead of the Biloxi Shuckers, 3-2, heading into the ninth inning in front of 4,301 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

But Blue Wahoos' save leader Jimmy Herget blew his second chance to close out the game this season giving up a two-run double to Biloxi right fielder Clint Coulter to give the Shuckers their fourth straight win over Pensacola, 4-3.

Pensacola has now lost seven of its last eight games but still leads the South Division in the Southern League with a 14-10 record.

"We got nine hits and took the lead into the ninth," Kelly said about his changed batting order. "We had a couple opportunities where we could have added on. "

Kelly put second baseman Josh VanMeter in the leadoff spot followed by right fielder Aristides Aquino. Shortstop Blake Trahan moved down in the order from first to sixth and third baseman Taylor Sparks batted cleanup.

The Blue Wahoos did score two runs in the first three innings to go ahead, 2-0.

In the first inning, VanMeter lead off with a double and came around to score on a double by Gabriel Guerrero whose hit landed just inside the left field foul line. VanMeter scored a second time in the third inning when he earned a leadoff walk. With the bases loaded and two outs Biloxi reliever Forrest Snow walked Trahan to force in VanMeter.

For the game, VanMeter was 2-4 with a double, walk and two runs scored and is now 8-18 or .444 in this series against Biloxi. In the two series against the Shuckers, he is 12-34 or .352.

"He's a good hitter," Kelly said. "In spring training, we liked the way he swung the bat. He keeps going up there and swinging the bat well."

Biloxi rallied in the sixth inning to tie the game, 2-2, when Shuckers left fielder Dustin DeMuth doubled in third baseman Blake Allemand. Biloxi first baseman Art Charles then pulled a single to right field to score DeMuth with the tying run.

Biloxi had runners on second and third with one out in the third inning but Pensacola starter Deck McGuire, a former first-round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2010, struck out the next two batters to get out of the inning unscathed. He ended up retiring the next eight batters in a row, striking out five.

McGuire ended up pitching six innings, allowing two runs on six hits, walking one and striking out seven. He is 1-1 with a 3.54 ERA this season.

"He battled out there," Kelly said. "His command was off a little bit but was aggressive and stayed after guys. He kind of ran out of gas there."

Pensacola left fielder Angelo Gumbs had knocked in catcher Adrian Nieto in the seventh inning with the go ahead run, 3-2, when he drilled a grounder into left field.

But Biloxi came back with two runs in the ninth off Herget, who picked up his first loss and is 0-1 with eight saves. He did have two strikeouts and now has 23 in 13 innings or 15.9 Ks per nine innings.

GAME NOTES The Pensacola Blue Wahoos host the final game of the five-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers Double-A affiliate Biloxi Shuckers at 6:35 p.m. Monday, May 1. The Shuckers are starting RHP Angel Ventura (0-2, 3.00 ERA) against the Blue Wahoos RHP Austin Ross (2-0, 0.99 ERA).

The games are broadcast live on the Blue Wahoos flagship station 97.1 The Ticket. Listen for free at bluewahoos.com and by using the TuneIn Radio app on your mobile, desktop or home devices.

Giveback Monday is perfect for any non-profit group to raise funds by selling tickets and partaking in our 50/50 raffle. The top fundraiser of the night, Prince Hall Shriners, will receive $1,000 from the Blue Wahoos prior to the game and receive the benefits of our 50/50 raffle.

BIG FISH Second baseman Josh VanMeter was 2-4 with a double, walk and scored twice...Center fielder Gabriel Guerrero went 2-5 with a double and RBI and now has a team-leading 11 multi-hit games this season. He raised his batting average back over .300 to .303...Catcher Adrian Nieto was 2-4 with a walk and scored a run...Left fielder Angelo Gumbs was 1-4 with an RBI and is hitting .324 on the season.

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are home April 27th - May 1st against the Biloxi Shuckers at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are the Double-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of the Southern League. Follow the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at BlueWahoos.com, facebook.com/PensacolaBlueWahoos and twitter.com/BlueWahoosBBall.

--www.bluewahoos.com-- About the Studer Family of Companies: The Studer Family of Companies is comprised of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, the not-for-profit Studer Community Institute, Studer Properties, The Bodacious Family of Shops in both Pensacola and in Janesville, Wisc. and Bubba's Sweet Spot.

All profits from the Studer Family of Companies are re-invested into job creation and funding early childhood education initiatives conducted by the Studer Community Institute including its plan to make Pensacola America's First Early Learning City.

The vision of the Studer Family of Companies is to make the Pensacola metro area the greatest place to live in the world.

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