SL1 Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Wahoos Win Tenth Straight Home Game

Published on July 22, 2015 under Southern League (SL1)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release


PENSACOLA, Fla. - When Bryson Smith comes to the plate, opposing pitchers don't exactly quake in their shoes that the center fielder will take them deep.

After all Smith's career high is six in a season in 2012 when he split the season between Double-A Pensacola and High-A Bakersfield.

But Smith turned on a first pitch and took Biloxi pitcher Johnny Hellweg over the left field wall in the first inning and Pensacola went on to win its third straight game, 6-4, in front of 4,506 Wednesday at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.

Pensacola has won 8 of its last 11 games and 10 straight games at home since losing its home opener in the second half on July 1 to Jacksonville, 6-2.

Smith is now hitting .333 (6-18) with one homer and two RBIs in five games with Pensacola. His homer gave Pensacola 16 dingers in the past 12 games. Pensacola is in eighth place in the Southern League in home runs with 46 total.

Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said having the 26-year-old Bryson on the team, who played for the Blue Wahoos every season since 2012, has been calming to the club house.

"Boy, it's nice to have him," Kelly said. "The way he runs the bases. Just the way he plays the game. I really like what I see."

Pensacola hitting coach Alex Pelaez said none of the Pensacola batters are trying to hit the ball out of the ball park.

"They're not trying to," Pelaez said. "They're just putting good swings on it and it's jumping out."

The Blue Wahoos are tied for first place with the Mississippi Braves in the second half at 16-10 (41-53) in the Southern League South Division. It's the first time since July 22, 2012, that Pensacola has been six games over .500. The Blue Wahoos have never been seven games over .500 in a season since its inaugural year in 2012.

Meanwhile, Biloxi, the first half winner in the South, fell to 11-14 (54-39).

Kelly said the team is taking winning in stride.

"I thought we've had great chemistry even from day one," Kelly said. "To me, they're the same. They're not too up and the not to down even when we're winning games. We were undermanned in the first half. Now we feel like we can compete."

Relievers Jimmy Moran and Kyle McMyne, who earned his seventh save, blanked Biloxi over the last four innings, giving up two hits striking out two and benefitting from two double plays.

With relievers Patrick Schuster, Zack Weiss and Miguel Celestino not available, Kelly said their relief work was critical.

GAME NOTES

The second game of the five-game series is scheduled at 6:35 p.m. Thursday with the Milwaukee Brewers Double-A affiliate Biloxi Shuckers. RHP Daniel Wright (6-7, 4.57) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by Shuckers RHP Brooks Hall (7-5, 4.72).

Fans can enjoy 50 percent off Papa John's Thursday ordering online because Pensacola scored five runs or more Wednesday against Biloxi. Use the promo code: Wahoos.

The games are 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 Center fielder Bryson Smith launched a first-pitch, first-inning solo home run and doubled in a run in a 2-5 night...Right fielder Juan Duran went 1-4 with his eighth double of the year, walked and scored twice...Second baseman Ryan Wright doubled twice in four at bats and drove in two runs.

BOOFEST WEEKEND Boo Weekley said he is in town taking three weeks off to prepare for the PGA Tour playoffs. The professional golfer from Milton threw out the first pitch Wednesday at the Pensacola Blue Wahoos series opener against the Biloxi Shuckers.

"I'm a big fan of baseball and the fact that we now have the Blue Wahoos is awesome," Weekly said Wednesday. "This is one of the best stadiums ever."

Weekley is also home for his 13th annual BooFest Charity Golf Tournament, which includes entertainment July 24-25 at the Pensacola Bay Center. The Boo Weekley Charity Golf Scramble is scheduled July 23-25 at the Pensacola Country Club.

The BooFest fundraiser, which benefits the Air Commandos Association, Santa Rosa Kids House, Christ Starfish Foundation and local golf teams, at the Pensacola Bay Center, includes a live, silent auction and country musicians Daryle Singletary and Ira Dean on Friday, and comedian Larry the Cable Guy on Saturday. Other entertainment is also scheduled. You can buy tickets through Ticketmaster.

"We have mostly amateurs who help us raise money and help us have a lot of fun," Weekley said.

Weekley, who turned professional in 1997, finished third in the 2015 Zurich Classic in April. His next big tournament is Aug. 13-16 at the PGA Championship in Sheboygan, Wisc. He is currently ranked No. 55 in the FedExCup Standings with six top 10 finishes this season.

"I've played well but I haven't hit my best like I have in the past," he said. "Maybe I can win. You don't tee off just play, you tee up to win."

The Blue Wahoos face the Biloxi Shuckers July 22-26. Come experience the family-fun entertainment, which includes out-of-school fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday night! You can follow the team at BlueWahoos.com, facebook.com/PensacolaBlueWahoos and twitter.com/BlueWahoosBBall.

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Southern League Stories from July 22, 2015


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