Wahoos Beat Barons 6-2

August 27, 2013

Josh Smith shut down a potent Birmingham attack with seven two-hit innings while the offense battered 10 hits in a 6-2 win over the Barons on Monday night in front of the 30th sellout crowd of the year at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. Pensacola’s victory combined with a Jacksonville triumph pushed the Blue Wahoos to just three games out of first place with six games remaining.

Smith (W 10-9) battled his command throughout his outing, walking five, but he countered that with five strikeouts to increase his Southern League leading total to 135 on the year. The lone run he gave up came on a Dan Black solo homer leading off the second. With the victory, Smith became the first Blue Wahoos pitcher to record 10 wins in a single season.

Pensacola’s offense quickly responded in support of Smith with a pair of runs in three separate frames. Travis Mattair tied the game at one in the second on an RBI double and came around to score on an RBI groundout from Brandon Short. In the fifth inning, the Wahoos strung together three two-out hits, culminating in a two-run double from Yorman Rodriguez to make it 4-1. Rodriguez had a huge night at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double, run scored and two RBI.

In the seventh inning, Mike Costanzo gave Pensacola some extra breathing room with a two-run, two-out homer off Dan Remenowsky to push the Wahoos in front 6-1. Costanzo was 2-for-4 with his fourth homer of the year, two runs scored and two RBI. Devin Lohman scored on the round tripper and posted a solid line as well, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

Spencer Arroyo (L 8-7) got the start for the Barons and allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk in five innings.

Having already assured a series victory, the Wahoos will look to make it nine wins in their last 11 times out in the 2013 home finale on Tuesday night. Reds top pitching prospect Robert Stephenson (0-1, 1.64) will go for Pensacola opposite Birmingham’s Chris Bassitt (4-2, 2.11). First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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