Wahoos Sweep Twin Bill From Lookouts

July 14, 2012

The Blue Wahoos swept their double header against Chattanooga, taking the first game 2-1 thanks to a seven-inning complete game from starter Tony Cingrani, while a five-run third pushed Pensacola to a 6-1 win in the second contest over the Lookouts as they won their eighth straight series on Friday evening at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The twin bill sweep, combined with a Montgomery loss tonight, gives the Blue Wahoos a one game lead in the Southern League’s South Division with a 14-8 record in the second half. Chattanooga dropped to 12-10 since the league’s All-Star Break. With the 2-1 series victory over the Lookouts, the Fish have also won each of their last eight series dating back to June 4-7 at Birmingham, the longest such stretch in the Southern League this year.

Pensacola SS Billy Hamilton led off the first contest with a single and then stole second and third to tie for the tenth highest steal total in a single-season in Minor League Baseball history, before drawing a walk in the second game and later swiping second for his 108th stolen base of 2012.

Cingrani (7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) shut down the Chattanooga offense in game one, earning the win after yielding a lone unearned run on just four hits in his seven-inning complete game. It was the first complete game in Blue Wahoos history, as well as the first in the southpaw’s career. Chattanooga starting pitcher Aaron Miller (3.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 4-6 on the year after allowing an earned run on four hits in his 3.1 innings pitched.

The Lookouts plated their lone tally against Cingrani in the fourth, when 3B C.F. Retherford doubled and then advanced to third on a ground out prior to taking home on a passed ball. It was the first run given up by Cingrani since June 22 at Chattanooga, ending a team-high stretch of 24.0 consecutive scoreless innings. The Blue Wahoos then scored their two runs in the first contest in the fourth. 3B David Vidal reached on a two-bagger to right and RF Andrew Means drew a free pass, before both were sent in on C Tucker Barnhart’s triple down the right field line.

Chattanooga struck first in the second game of the twin bill, with a tally in the opening frame thanks to a solo shot from CF Nick Buss. The roundtripper was the fifth of the year for the outfielder and first since June 8.

The Fish however, countered back with a five-spot in the third thanks to a pair of clutch extra-base hits. C Mark Fleury began the inning with a single prior to free passes drawn by RF Josh Fellhauer and CF Ryan LaMarre, which loaded the bases for 1B Bill Rhinehart. The first baseman drove the first pitch into deep right-center for a ground-rule double to plate Fleury and Fellhauer to push Pensacola ahead 2-1. After 2B Brodie Greene’s base-on-balls again got the bases full, LF Bryson Smith cleared the bases with a triple to right, making it 5-1.

Following Hamilton’s free pass and steal in the seventh, LaMarre would bring him home from third with a single to center to complete the scoring for the Fish at 6-1.

Pensacola starter Mark Serrano (5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO) earned the victory to improve to 6-1 after allowing the lone earned run on just four hits while striking out five, while relievers Wilkin De La Rosa (0.1 IP, 1 BB), Curtis Partch (1.0 IP, 1 SO) and Drew Hayes (0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 SO) combined for the final two frames. Lookouts starter Chris Reed (2.2 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB) suffered the defeat after allowing five earned runs on three hits in 2.2 innings.

The Blue Wahoos now head back home to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium for a four-game set with the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, with first pitch of the series set for Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. RHP Kyle Lotzkar is expected to get the nod for the Fish, while the Suns’ starter has not yet been announced.

By Andrew Green.

Pictured: Tony Cingrani fired a 7-inning complete game in the 1st game of the twin bill Friday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports