Wahoos Blank Suns 8-0

June 1, 2014

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos scored five runs in the first inning Saturday at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The big hit in the first inning came on a three-run home run over the left field fence by Travis Mattair.

While the Wahoos went on to defeat the Jacksonville Suns, 8-0, to break a six-game losing streak, all eyes were on former big league MVP and All-Star Miguel Tejada.

Tejada was playing professional baseball for the first time for the Miami Marlins Double-A affiliate since a 105-game suspension Aug. 17 by Major League Baseball for testing positive for amphetamines. He becomes eligible June 7 to play again in the majors.

The 40-year-old Tejada, who was the 2002 American League Most Valuable and six-time All-Star, hit a bloop single in his first at bat, grounded out to short in an inning-ending double play, struck out and beat out a sharp grounder that Wahoos third baseman Juan Silverio made a backhanded stab on and in his final at bat reached first on a fielder’s choice. In the field, Tejada played third base where he made a nice play on a big hop.

Before getting on the team bus to travel to Pensacola, Tejada introduced himself to every Suns player and shook their hands.

After the game, Tejada could hardly contain his excitement about being back on the field. Suns Manager Andy Barkett gave him the option to come out of the game if he was tired but he chose to stay in.

“I feel great,” said Tejada, who last played in the Southern League in 1997. “I feel 20 again. I’m excited and happy to be here.”

Tejada also said he wants to play at least another season and be a model player for the younger ballplayers coming up.

“I don’t want them to quit. I want them to keep playing,” Tejada said. “They see me out 105 games but I came back. I can help a lot of young guys. I’ve always loved this game and I respect it a lot.”

Jacksonville’s Barkett said Tejada looked “great” at the plate and in the field. Barkett reported that Tejada plans to play, too, in his home country where he’s considered a legend for the

Dominican Republic winter baseball league’s Agulias Cibaenas.

“He said he wants one more year to do things right,” said Barkett, who played with Tejada in 2000 in the Caribbean Series championship. “That’s completely admirable. I hope they young guys see not just a talented player but see the hunger of this guy. We’ve got someone special on our hands as a human being and as a baseball player.”

Tejada, who in 16 big league seasons is a .285 hitter with 307 home runs and 1302 RBI,  is a former Southern Leaguer. He spent the 1997 season with the Huntsville Stars, who were affiliated with the Oakland Athletics at the time. In 128 games, Tejada hit .275 with 22 homers and 97 RBI, and he received his first MLB call-up late that season.

Besides Mattair Several Wahoos played well against the Suns Saturday night, including Brodie Greene who was 2-4 and scored two runs; Ross Perez who went 2-3 and drove in two runs; and Juan Silverio who was 2-4 with a home run blast over the leftfield wall.

by Tommy Thrall

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