Hot-Hitting Jackson Defeats The Blue Wahoos 9-3

August 7, 2014

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos offensive woes continued Wednesday to start its five-game series against the Jackson Generals.

The Wahoos managed just three runs in their loss, 9-3, and now have averaged 2.3 runs in its last 11 games. On the season, Pensacola ranks last in the Southern League in runs scored with 465.

Meanwhile, Jackson has been the hottest hitting team in the league since June 1, hitting .279 as a team. Against Pensacola last night its nine hits included three home runs by D.J. Peterson, the second-best prospect in the Seattle Mariners organization, Patrick Brady and Jody Lara, who hit a grand slam in the top of the ninth inning.

“They got some guys who can swing the bat from what I’ve seen,” said Blue Wahoos Manager Delino DeShields.

He added that he hasn’t enjoyed watching his team struggle at the plate.

“It’s tough, especially when you know you’re better than that,” DeShields said. “That’s just the way it is sometimes.”

Lively gave up two solo home runs to left field with winds gusting to 20 mph and gave up five earned runs in six innings. After earning his first win in his last start by taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning, the Gulf Breeze High School product is still seeking his first win at home.

For the moment, though, Lively’s three strikeouts allowed him to take back the minor league baseball lead in strikeouts with 149. Over his previous eight starts with the Wahoos, opposing Double-A batters are hitting .195 off Lively.

DeShields said he walked ­­­­­­­­­­­­­to the mound to speak with Lively in the sixth inning with men on second and third base to remind him that first base was open against Jackson’s Dario Pizzano and he was followed by catcher Steve Baron, who is hitting .175. Pizzano ended up doubling in two runs that put the Generals ahead for good, 5-3. Lively struck out Baron to end the sixth.

“I told him (Pizzano) wasn’t his guy,” DeShields said. “Lively just made a lot of mistakes tonight.”

The three bright spots from the Wahoos opening game with the Generals? The Washington High School drum line in the fourth inning, Ross Perez and Juan Duran.

Perez singled up the middle to center field to extend his Wahoos season-high hitting streak to 13 games. During the streak, he’s hitting 22-49, or .449, with 1 home run and 13 RBI and has struck out just three times.

Duran also looked strong at the plate by knocking three doubles – all to the outfield wall – and he scored twice. He is now hitting .245 on the season with a team-leading 15 home runs and 48 RBI and is second in doubles with 18, one behind Travis Mattair.

The second game of the five-game series with Seattle Mariners Double-A affiliate the Jackson Generals gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. RHP Daniel Corcino (9-9, 4.29) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Generals LHP Tyler Olson (6-6, 4.21).

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