Wahoos Surge Past Jacksonville in Series Opener, 11-3

Published on July 18, 2018 under Southern League (SL1)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Pensacola lit up the Shrimp in an 11-3 victory Wednesday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

With Pensacola behind 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Chris Okey belted a two-run homer to give the Wahoos a 4-3 lead. The Wahoos would catch fire against Jacksonville's relief pitcher Kyle Keller in the bottom of the eighth inning, eradicating the Shrimp's chances of a possible comeback. Shed Long doubled home TJ Friedl to increase the Wahoos lead to 5-3. Luis Gonzalez singled to center field that scored both Mitch Nay and Long to extend the Wahoos lead to 7-3. Pinch-hitter Narciso Crook hit a sac fly that plated home Aristides Aquino to make the score 8-3. The straw that finally broke Jacksonville's back was Jose Siri's three-run homer, his second of the game, that gave Pensacola the winning score of 11-3.

Southpaw Seth Varner (W, 5-1) turned in another excellent outing for the Blue Wahoos. The Cincinnati-native pitched seven innings and allowed three runs (one earned), one walk, and struck out four. Since joining the starting rotation on May 25, Varner is 5-1 in nine starts. His 1.86 ERA is the lowest in the Southern League since that date.

The bullpen kept the Shrimp in check. Carlos Navas pitched a scoreless eighth inning with a pair of strikeouts. Alex Powers closed out the game, retiring the last three batters in order, to secure the Wahoos victory.

The Wahoos will look to continue their hot streak in Thursday night's game. Right-hander Vladimir Gutierrez (7-8, 4.67) will start for the Wahoos, and RHP Max Duval (2-9, 7.11) will take the hill for the Shrimp. Thursday's game can be found on the radio at 97.1 The Ticket/1490 AM Milton, and www.bluewahoos.com. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

Southern League Stories from July 18, 2018

• Biscuits Thrash Braves, 6-2 - Montgomery Biscuits
• Wahoos Surge Past Jacksonville in Series Opener, 11-3 - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
• Wahoos' Late Rally Beats Jumbo Shrimp in Opener, 11-3 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
• Homers and Strikeouts Prevail - Chattanooga Lookouts
• Opener in Biloxi Postponed - Knoxville Smokies
• Series Opener Between Shuckers and Smokies Postponed - Biloxi Shuckers
• Former First Rounder Nick Howard Joins Wahoos, Reyes and McElroy Promoted - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
• Smokies Partner with Academy Sports + Outdoors - Knoxville Smokies
• Yamamoto to Disabled List; Pena to Jacksonville - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
• Shuckers Keep It Cool During Mid-July Series against Tennessee - Biloxi Shuckers

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