Shuckers Stop Wahoos 3-1

August 9, 2016

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos scored one run in the ninth but the run came too late to make a difference as the Biloxi Shuckers held on for a 3-1 victory Monday to capture the five-game series at MGM Park.

Pensacola just couldn’t score on Biloxi starter Brandon Woodruff who helped the Shuckers take a 3-1 lead in the series.

In fact, Pensacola batters haven’t earned a run off of Woodruff in all three of his starts against the Blue Wahoos. After throwing 20 scoreless innings against Pensacola, Woodruff probably wishes he could throw against them in every game. He has struck out 25 batters and allowed just nine hits. Woodruff improved to 5-4 and his earned-run average dropped to 2.87.

Pensacola, which won the first half title, is now 20-24 in the second half and in fourth place in the Southern League South division. Biloxi is 18-26 and in last place.

In the ninth inning, Blue Wahoos right fielder Sebastian Elizalde lead off with a single to center and reached third on Biloxi center fielder Brett Phillips error. Pensacola shortstop Zach Vincej then hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Elizalde to pull Pensacola within 3-1.

But Biloxi’s top closer Stephen Kohlscheen then struck out both Pensacola third baseman Taylor Sparks and first baseman Eric Jagielo to end the game and earn his 18th save of the season.

Biloxi scored first in the bottom of the third inning when Shuckers center fielder Brett Phillips homered, his 13th of the season, to lead off the inning and give his team a 1-0 lead. Biloxi tacked on another run in the inning when first baseman Dustin DeMuth singled in left fielder Tyrone Taylor, who had doubled, putting the Shuckers ahead, 2-0.

Biloxi catcher Jacob Nottingham extended the Shuckers lead to 3-0 in the fifth inning with a homer over the center field wall — his eighth home run of the season.

Pensacola starter Sal Romano gave up three runs on two homers in five innings of work. He scattered nine hits, walked none and struck out four. He is 4-11 with a 3.92 ERA and is second in the Southern League with 116 strikeouts.

Leading the way at the plate for Pensacola was second baseman Alex Blandino, who went 3-4. He is now 7-12 in the series against Biloxi in three games with one run, one RBI and one walk.

Pensacola center fielder Jeff Gelalich also got on base twice going 1-3 with a walk.

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