Wahoos Win 5-2 Over Biloxi
April 18, 2019
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos bounced back from Tuesday’s heartbreaking loss with a hard-fought 5-2 win over the Shuckers Wednesday night at MGM Park.
Pensacola, after not scoring a run until the tenth inning of last night’s loss, wasted no time getting on the board in Wednesday’s middle game. With two on and one out in the first, Braden Webb (L, 0-3) issued back-to-back walks to bring home Jordan Gore. Webb was removed in the first inning after throwing 37 pitches.
The Wahoos were right back at it in the second, plating home two more thanks to RBI singles from Gore and Brian Schales to put the Wahoos up 3-0. Biloxi had a response of their own in the bottom of the second inning plating home a pair of runs.
For the reigning Southern League Pitcher of Week, Devin Smeltzer, the two runs allowed in the second inning were his first two all season. However, he responded in the third and fourth, retiring six of the next seven Shuckers in order.
The game took a turn for the worst in the bottom of the fifth inning when Smeltzer was struck in the back of the head from a line drive off the bat of Max McDowell. Smeltzer lay on the ground motionless for several moments while he was tended to by the medical staffs from both clubs. Fortunately, he was able to rise to his feet and walk off the field on his own power.
Adam Bray (W, 1-1) was called into the game and was brilliant for the Blue Wahoos as the right-hander hurled three shutout innings en route to his first win of the season. Ramon Borrego turned the ball over to Sam Clay in the eighth inning, and the former Georgia Tech product pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth inning to earn his first save of the year.
This was an unorthodox game compared to Tuesday’s pitching duel. The Wahoo batters were hit five different times, including Joe Cronin who was hit three times including once in the head by Aaron Kurcz. Cronin would however remain in the game uninjured. Pensacola also drew seven walks and stranded 16 men on base by the game’s conclusion.
The Wahoos have two chances to pick up their third series win of the season beginning tomorrow night when RHP Griffin Jax (0-0, 0.00) takes the hill for Pensacola. He will be opposed by RHP Thomas Jankins (1-0, 2.25)
Comments