Wahoos Beat Smokies In Home Series

April 11, 2017

Pensacola Blue Wahoos right-hander Austin Ross got his first start in two seasons Monday against the Tennessee Smokies.

All the 28-year-old did was toss six innings—his longest start since he pitched 6.1 innings Aug. 25, 2014 in a start for the former Double-A Huntsville Stars. He gave up two runs on three hits to help Pensacola to a, 3-2, win in front of 4,018 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

And afterward, Pensacola club co-owner Quint Studer introduced Ross to a group of star-struck baseball fans from Wisconsin. Ross played seven years in the Milwaukee Brewers organization before the Cincinnati Reds picked him up as a free agent in January.

“It was definitely fun,” Ross said. “It was something different than I’ve done the last two years. But I built up to it all spring training.”

Pensacola manager Pat Kelly liked what he saw from Ross, who pitched 96 games out of the bullpen for Double-A Biloxi and Triple-A Colorado Springs the past two seasons. He threw 96 innings and struck out 157.

“That was great,” Kelly said. “He got stronger as the game went along. The sixth was his best inning.”

Ross retired the last 12 of 13 batters he faced, giving up a walk in the fourth inning. He credited catcher Devin Mesoraco for his good showing. The 2014 Cincinnati Reds All-Star is doing his up to 20-day rehabilitation assignment in Pensacola.

“I felt like I fell into a groove in the middle innings,” Ross said. “Me and Mez got into a good rhythm out there.”

It was Mesoraco who delivered the single that propelled the Blue Wahoos to victory. With the game tied, 2-2, in the seventh inning, catcher Devin Mesoraco came to the plate with the bases loaded and one out and ripped Pensacola’s fourth straight single. The hit to left field drove in center fielder Brian O’Grady with the winning run, putting the Blue Wahoos on top, 3-2.

Kelly said Mesoraco, who played all nine innings Monday, will likely play three games against the Milwaukee Brewers Double-A affiliate Biloxi Shuckers this week, including back-to-back nine inning games. Kelly said Mesoraco will likely stay in Pensacola until it finishes the series with the Mobile Bay Bears April 26. The Reds’ are bringing him back slowly after his two hip surgeries and shoulder surgery limited him to 18 games behind the plate for the big league club the past two seasons.

Mesoraco’s game-winning hit also helped Pensacola clinch its first series of the year, 3-2, and the Blue Wahoos have now beat Tennessee in six straight series at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Not only that, he threw out Smokies second baseman Davis Bote trying to steal second on a double steal.

“As much as we would love to have him back (in Cincinnati), we want him to go there and stay there,” Kelly said. “The biggest thing is not to rush it.”

Pensacola scored its second run to knot the game, 2-2, in the fourth inning when right fielder Aristides Aquino doubled and then scored when left fielder Gabriel Guerrero knocked a double into left field. Guerrero has reached base seven straight times in the last two games.

Tennessee scored first for the third straight game, taking a 1-0 lead, when Charcer Burks singled, was bunted to second, stole third on a double steal and then scored on first baseman Yasiel Balaguert soft liner to right field.

The Smokies scored its second run in the third inning when pitcher Duane Underwood scored on a ground out by second baseman David Bote, to take a 2-1 lead.

Austin Brice, who also is on rehab in Pensacola, made his second appearance for the Blue Wahoos, pitching the seventh inning. He got the win, striking out one, allowing one hit and throwing a wild pitch.

“Brice looked a little freer today (Monday),” Kelly said. “He looked a lot better.”

Jimmy Herget protected the Blue Wahoos one-run lead and picked up the save by retiring all six batters he faced in the final two innings. He struck out three of the Smokies hitters.

The Blue Wahoos staff has an earned-run average of 3.00 in its first five games.

“I got to give them an A,” Kelly said of his pitching staff after the first series. “They’ve been outstanding.”

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