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Blue Wahoos Walk Off With 2-1 Win Over Jacksonville
April 16, 2012
Pensacola first baseman Joel Guzman walked with the bases-loaded in the bottom of the ninth to give the Blue Wahoos a 2-1 win over the Jacksonville Suns in front of a capacity crowd of 5,038 on Sunday afternoon at Pensacola’s multi-use stadium.
The win gives Pensacola a 1-0 lead in the five-game series, while the capacity crowd was the sixth in as many games at the Blue Wahoos’ bayfront stadium.
Pinch hitter Miguel Rojas, shortstop Didi Gregorius and third baseman Henry Rodriguez all singled in the final frame to set the stage for Guzman with two outs. The native of the Dominican Republic then drew a game-ending free pass on four pitches to cue the celebration and give the Blue Wahoos their second walk-off win at home this year.
Rodriguez started the scoring for Pensacola with a solo home run to left, his second of the year, to grab a 1-0 lead. Jacksonville however, drew the contest even at 1-1 when second baseman Jeff Dominguez brought home catcher Kyle Skipworth with a run-scoring single in the subsequent frame.
Blue Wahoos closer Donnie Joseph (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 3 SO) earned his second victory of the year after striking out the side in the ninth, while Suns reliever Wade Korpi (1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 SO) suffered the loss after allowing the final run, along with three hits in 1.2 innings of support. Pensacola starter Pedro Villarreal (6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) pitched well but did not receive a decision despite yielding just a lone earned run on only five hits while fanning five in six frames.
Gregorius (2-5), Rodriguez (2-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI) and second baseman Brodie Greene (2-4) all tallied multi-hit games for the Blue Wahoos, while right fielder Jake Smolinski (2-4, 1 2B) was the lone Suns batter to tally two hits. Despite his game-winning walk, Guzman saw his eight-game hit streak come to an end, though he has now reached base in his first nine contests.
Pensacola and Jacksonville meet again Monday night for the second game of the series, with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 pm. RHP Curtis Partch is scheduled to toe the rubber for the Blue Wahoos, while the Suns are expected to send RHP Bryan Evans to the mound.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: First baseman Joel Guzman delivers a bases-loaded walk to push Pensacola to a 2-1 win over Jacksonville on Sunday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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