Wahoos Blast Past Suns 8-4

August 20, 2014

Kyle Waldrop’s first-inning two-run home run was a sign of things to come for the Blue Wahoos on Tuesday night. It was the first of a team-record five Pensacola home runs in an 8-4 win over Jacksonville at the Baseball Ground of Jacksonville.

Waldrop hit a solo home run later in the game for his second of the contest. Wahoos starting pitcher Ben Lively got in on the act with a lead-off homer in the fifth. Leading just 5-4 in the ninth, the Wahoos belted two more round-trippers. Yorman Rodriguez led the inning off with a solo shot before Travis Mattair capped a 3-for-3 night with a two-run shot to put the game away.

Lively (W, 2-6) was solid again on the mound in his start. He battled through 6.0 innings allowing 3 R/ER on eight hits with just one walk and six strikeouts. It marked his fourth straight start allowing just one walk. He didn’t walk fewer than three in his first seven starts with Pensacola.

Lively was helped out by a stellar defensive play by Bryson Smith in fourth inning. Smith robbed what would have been a go-ahead three-run home run from Isaac Galloway. He leaped and reached over the five-foot wall in right field to make a game-saving catch, which kept the Wahoos in front.

The Suns threatened again and pulled within a run in the eighth inning before Shane Dyer (S, 17) came in to get the final four outs and earn the save for the Wahoos.

Suns starter Chipper Smith (L, 3-4) left the game with an apparent injury after facing just four batters and getting only one out. His injury hasn’t been released. Smith ended up getting hit with the loss after giving up 2 R/ER in 0.1 innings. The Blue Wahoos scored 3 R/ER off James Nygren in his 4.1 innings. They also scored 3 R/ER off Matt Ramsey in his 1.2 innings out of the bullpen.

Pensacola can even the series with a win on Wednesday night as the Blue Wahoos try to spoil the Suns postseason plans. The Wahoos will send RHP Robert Stephenson (6-8, 4.48) to the mound against Suns LHP Justin Nicolino (11-4, 2.85).  First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m. CT from Bragan Field at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

by Tommy Thrall

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