Wahoos Beat Mobile
August 23, 2016
After blowing his last save opportunity, it was all forgotten for Alejandro Chacin when he got the call to close out the game Monday against the Mobile BayBears. Chacin, a Southern League All-Star and saves leader, retired the BayBears side to get his league-leading 25th save this season.
Pensacola’s bullpen threw four scoreless innings to lead their club to an 8-5 victory over Mobile in the opener of the five-game series at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The win also gave Pensacola sole possession of second place in the South Division in the second half at 29-27, which is 4.5 games behind frontrunner Mississippi, which is 33-22. Mobile dropped a half-game behind Pensacola at 28-27.
To Pensacola manager Pat Kelly it was important to get Chacin in the game after blowing his fifth save this year. The win gave his team its 70th victory this year, which is the most for the franchise since it started in 2012.
“The best thing about closers is if they have short memories,” Kelly said, chuckling. “He’s the kind of guy — some words I can’t use — but he’s got two of them.”
The 23-year-old Chacin said the bullpen proved its worth to the team Monday by quieting the BayBears home run-happy hitters. Mobile has 98 homers on the year, which tops the Southern League, and hit two of them off of starter Tyler Mahle in the fourth and fifth innings to change a 7-1 Pensacola lead to a 7-5 Pensacola lead.
“We have a job as relievers to keep the game the same,” said Chacin, who is playing at the Double-A level for the first time. “I never mind about the save. You do your job and just help the team out.”
That’s exactly what the bullpen did Monday. Evan Mitchell relieved Mahle and threw two hitless innings with two strikeouts. Abel De Los Santos threw one scoreless inning, running his shutout innings to 16.1 to keep his ERA at 0.00. Chacin threw the last inning and got Mobile right fielder Gabriel Guerrero to fly out, Marzilli to strike out and catcher Matt Jones to ground out.
“It was pretty good,” Chacin said. “I felt really comfortable (Monday) tonight. Last time, I didn’t do the job. Tonight, I did it well.”
Kelly also recognized Mitchell for his two innings.
“The key to me was Mitchell,” Kelly said. “He shut them down. They got enough power over there that they can pop a couple and that’s what they did to get back into the game.”
Mahle retired 10 in a row and was cruising with a 7-1 lead before BayBears shortstop Dawel Lugo hit a high, deep fly ball over the left field wall in the fourth inning.
In the next inning, Mobile leadoff hitter Domingo Leyba hit his second homer for the team, launching a three-run shot into Hill-Kelly Dodge Hill that pulled Mobile back into the game, 7-5.
Mahle ended up pitching five innings and giving up six hits and striking out five in the game.
Pensacola had scored four runs in the bottom of the first on five hits. The inning started with second baseman Alex Blandino doubling, left fielder Phillip Ervin walking and right fielder Sebastian Elizalde singling to load the bases. Center fielder Brandon Dixon singled to center to drive in Blandino to tie the game, 1-1, with no outs.
After Blue Wahoos shortstop Zach Vincej popped out and BayBears third baseman forced out Ervin at home on a bouncer by catcher Chad Wallach, third baseman Taylor Sparks smacked a ground ball through the right side of the infield to score both Elizalde and Dixon for a 3-1 lead. Hudson completed the scoring when his single on a groundball into left scored Wallach to put Pensacola ahead, 4-1.
Pensacola added an insurance run in the eighth inning when Blandino led off the inning with a walk and was driven in by Elizalde for an 8-5 lead. Elizalde went 3-5 with a double, run scored and three RBIs. He now has back-to-back three-hit games and a team-leading 28 multi-hit games.
Interestingly, Blue Wahoos left fielder Ervin got on base four times on walks, a season high. He also stole his 33rd base on a pickoff attempt.
Meanwhile, Mobile BayBears starter Josh Taylor didn’t look like the same pitcher who threw a complete game shutout, allowing just three hits and striking out five. He lasted just 2.2 innings giving up seven runs, six earned on seven hits, four walks
Wahoos Capture Series With Braves
August 22, 2016
If the first half champion Pensacola Blue Wahoos and the second half frontrunner Mississippi Braves meet in the Southern League South Division playoffs in 15 days, fans can expect lots of excitement.
The Blue Wahoos won Sunday’s game, 6-3, over Mississippi to capture the final series on the road at Trustmark Park, 3-2.
On the season, Pensacola ended up winning the matchup, 12-8. The teams played seven extra-inning games, with the Blue Wahoos winning four of those contests.
Wait! There’s more. How evenly matched are the possible South Division playoff teams? Of the 20 games this season, 10 were decided by one run and four were decided by two runs.
Sunday’s game was atypical of the clubs’ season-long battles. Scoring only one run on three hits to trail Mississippi, 2-1, after seven innings, Pensacola scored four runs in the eighth inning on five hits, including a double, and a walk and sent eight batters to the plate.
Pensacola went ahead, 5-2 when Blue Wahoos shortstop Zach Vincej singled in the eighth inning to drive in right fielder Sebastian Elizalde with the first run of the inning that tied the game, 2-2. With two outs, Pensacola third baseman Taylor Sparks doubled in center fielder Brandon Dixon and first baseman Eric Jagielo to put the Blue Wahoos on top, 4-2. Pensacola catcher Chad Wallach then hit a line drive single to centerfield to score Sparks giving the Blue Wahoos a 5-2 lead.
Elizalde extended Pensacola’s lead to 6-2 in the top of the ninth when he doubled in second baseman Alex Blandino, who hit a lead-off single.
Mississippi had jumped on top in the second inning when right fielder Stephen Gaylor singled to knock in both catcher Joseph Odom and center fielder Connor Lien to put the Braves ahead, 2-0.
Besides being evenly matched, both teams also boast the top two pitching teams in the Southern League. Mississippi boasts a 3.05 team ERA, while Pensacola has a 3.20 ERA.
That good pitching was on full display again Sunday.
Pensacola right-handed starter Nick Travieso worked six innings, allowing two runs, one earned on eight hits, two walks and he struck out eight.
Meanwhile, Mississippi starter Lucas Smith also lasted six innings, allowing one run on three hits and four walks, while striking out seven.
On offense for Pensacola Sunday, Pensacola’s Dixon led the way, going 3-5 with a double, a run scored and an RBI. Dixon went 10-18 with three doubles, two runs scored and two RBIs in the five-game series. He now has 24 multi-hit games for the Blue Wahoos this season.
Elizalde also was 3-5 Sunday with a double, two runs scored and one RBI. For the series, he was 9-22 and upped his multi-hit games to a team-leading 27.
Heading into the final three series of the season, Pensacola is 28-27 and sits in third place in the Southern League South Division, 5.5 games behind South Division front-runner Mississippi, which is 33-21 in the second half. Overall, Pensacola is 69-56 this season, while Mississippi is 67-56.
Northview Beats Blacksher 35-6 (With Gallery)
August 20, 2016
The Northview Chiefs beat the J.U. Blacksher Bulldogs 35-6 Friday night in Uriah, AL.
The Chiefs were first on the board with a 15-yard touchdown run, and the Bulldogs slipped in a TD but missed the extra point…giving Northview a 7-6 advantage heading into the half.
Northiew’s Dereck Marshman, in his first game as head coach, said the first half was slow for his Chiefs.
“They came out and they hit us in the month. They were physical and brought the energy. We were a little low on energy in the first half, Marshman said. “I thought we responded well in the second half.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Halftime gave the Chiefs a chance to regroup and return to the second half where they scored on each possession.
“We just talked about defensively wrapping up and setting the perimeter, setting the edge,” Marshman said of the halftime pep talk. “Offensively, we talked about getting a little more to the edge and developing a little more of a passing game. We decided to pin their ears back, they were coming downhill. We just tried to develop a little more of a passing game, a little more edge.”
The Chiefs scored in the third quarter on a 25-yard pass from quarterback Luke Ward to Ohijie Elliott. With 3:31 to go in the third, Ward was in for a one-yard touchdown after three runs totaling about 40 yards. The Chiefs were up 21-6.
Ward found receiver Jacob Weaver on a 30-yard pass early in the fourth. With a kick through the middle from Seth Killam, Northview was up 28-6.
But the Chiefs were not done with a 1-yard touchdown run from Killiam and his good point after kick, Northview jumped ahead 35-6.
“It was the first game of the season; there were jitters…it’s going to happen. I thought we adjusted well mid-game,” Marshman said.
Friday night’s game was the first regular season game of the year for J.U. Blacksher, and a preseason matchup for Northview. Regardless. Marshman said it felt good to debut as the Chiefs’ head coach with a win.
“It feels good, don’t get me wrong; but it’s a long process,” he said. “That’s one chapter in this book this season. We’ve got…to get back on the grind and get ready for the competition to step up a level next week.”
Next Friday night, 1A Northview will step up as they travel to 6A Crestview.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Take Doubleheader Over Mississippi Braves
August 20, 2016
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos swept a doubleheader Friday against first place Mississippi Braves at Trustmark Park.
The Blue Wahoos won the first game, 1-0, and then took the second game, 2-1, of the doubleheader Saturday against the Braves.
Pensacola improved to 27-26 and is in third place in the Southern League South Division, pulling within 5.5 games of division leader Mississippi, which is in first place at 32-20 in the second half.
In the second game, Pensacola swept the doubleheader Friday in extra innings on a double by Blue Wahoos right fielder Sebastian Elizalde that drove in center fielder Phillip Ervin in the ninth inning, giving Pensacola a 1-0 lead. Pensacola scored a second run in the ninth when Elizalde scored on a passed ball by Mississippi catcher Willians Astudillo to give the Blue Wahoos a 2-0 lead.
The Braves scored one run in the bottom of the ninth inning when pinch hitter Johan Camargo doubled to drive in first baseman Joey Meneses but the game ended, 2-1, in the Blue Wahoos’ favor.
In the first game, Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Barrett Astin pitched six scoreless innings in his ninth spot star for Pensacola. Astin struck out a career-high eight batters in the game. He is now 8-3 with a 2.43 ERA.
Blue Wahoos closer Alejandro Chacin earned his Southern League-leading 24th save in the first game and lowered his earned-run average to 1.67 this season.
In the second game, five Blue Wahoos pitchers combined to pitch nine innings, allowing one earned run on four hits and five walks, while striking out 10 batters. Carlos Gonzalez earned the win and is 5-3 with a 3.76 ERA. Meanwhile, Pensacola starter El’Hajj Muhammad struck out seven hitters in 3.2 innings to start the game.
In the first game, second baseman Brandon Dixon led the Blue Wahoos on offense in a 2-3 night with a double for his 22nd multi-hit game of the season.
In the second game, left fielder Phillip Ervin went 2-3 with a run scored. He has 20 multi-hit games this season.
Tate Beats PHS 17-6
August 20, 2016
The Tate Aggies beat Pensacola High 17-6 in the varsity half of a preseason classic.
Tate jumped out to a 3-0 before Tomacrus Moorer scored on a 16-yard run with 2:01 to go in the third. The Tigers scored with 6:53 to go in the fourth, missing their extra point attempt. And Ladarryl Paige had a 30-yard touchdown run for the Aggies with 5:24 to go in the game.
In the first quarter, the Tate Freshmen beat PHS 7-0, while the Tate and PHS junior varsity played the second quarter to a 0-0 end.
The Aggies hit I-10 next week to travel to Biloxi, MS, for their season opener.
Blue Wahoos Drop Opener To The Mississippi Braves
August 18, 2016
With a four-run inning in the fifth, the Mississippi Braves won the first game of the series, 6-3, at Trustmark Park over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
Southern League South Division leader Mississippi improved to 32-18, while Pensacola drops to 25-26 in the second half.
Mississippi was powered by first basemen Jacob Schrader who hit two blasts and drove in three runs. He was 3-4 and now has 12 homer and 38 RBIs for the Braves this season.
Mississippi overcame Pensascola when it scored four runs with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Pinch hitter Levi Hyams singled to lead off the inning and second baseman Ozzie Albies also singled. Pensacola starter Jackson Stephens struck out the next two batters but then gave up the game-winning single to third baseman Carlos Franco that drove in both Hyams and Albies for a 4-3 Braves lead.
Schrader, who is hitting .318 in August, then put the game away by jacking his second home run of the game, a two-run shot to left center field, that also brought in Franco to put the Braves ahead, 6-3.
The game matched Pensacola right hander Jackson Stephens against Mississippi lefty Sean Newcomb who are the top two strikeout artists in the Southern League.
All six Braves runs were scored off of Pensacola’s Stephens. Schrader’s second long ball chased him from the game. The 22-year-old righty worked 4.2 innings and gave up nine hits and struck out five for 120 on the season, which is good for second in the Southern League. Stephens dropped to 8-11 on the year and his ERA jumped to 3.29 this season.
Braves southpaw Newcomb, who had been pitching strong in August allowing opponents just a .175 average, evened his record to 7-7 with a 4.10 ERA. In his previous three starts, he had pitched 17.2 innings and given up just two earned runs, while striking out 25. He leads the Southern League with 133 strikeouts this season.
Pensacola went ahead, 3-2, in the fifth inning when right fielder Sebastian Elizalde hit a deep fly ball to center field to drive in second baseman Alex Blandino.
Mississippi tied the game, 2-2, in the bottom of the third inning when center fielder Connor Lien tripled in Albies, who had doubled to center field.
The Blue Wahoos center fielder Brandon Dixon doubled to center field to drive in Elizalde in the top of the third inning to put Pensacola on top, 2-1.
Mississippi’s Schrader hit his first homer of the game when he jacked a solo shot over the center field wall in the bottom of the second inning to tie Pensacola, 1-1.
Pensacola scored first when they loaded the bases in the first inning. Shortstop Zach Vincej grounded into a force out that allowed Blandino to score from third.
Phillip Ervin and Elizalde both had two-hit games Wednesday to lead the Blue Wahoos. Ervin was 2-4 and stole his 32nd base of the season. Meanwhile, Elizalde had his team-leading 26th multi-hit game of the season and his eighth in the last 11 games by going 2-3 with a run scored and driving in his 39th RBI of the year.
Fall Baseball, Softball Registration Underway In Cantonment
August 17, 2016
Registration will continue this Saturday for fall baseball and softball from 9-1 at the Cantonment Sportsplex baseball boardroom. Registration is $65 per child with a discount for each additional child. Or register online by clicking here. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Smokies Snap Blue Wahoos Streak
August 16, 2016
The Tennessee Smokies took four games of frustration out on the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Monday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Blue Wahoos were trying to sweep their second five-game series in its five-year history on Monday. Pensacola’s last won all five games when it beat the Montgomery Biscuits in July 2015.
However, Tennessee starter Zach Hedges threw his third straight scoreless game and the Smokies added 15 hits to roll to a 9-4 victory over Pensacola.
In front of 3,518 Blue Wahoos fans Monday, including Walt Jocketty, president of baseball operations, and other Cincinnati Reds executives who watched the entire homestand, Tennessee also snapped Pensacola’s five-game winning streak. It was the Blue Wahoos longest winning streak of the season.
“Every time we had a good count, we hung the pitch and they didn’t miss that’s for sure,” Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said. “The eighth inning got interesting and we definitely had our chances. Better than getting shutout that’s for sure.”
Hedges, who was pitching in his fifth game for the Smokies, has now thrown 19 scoreless innings in the past three games. He is 3-1 with a 1.50 ERA.
Tyler Mahle threw two perfect innings in the rain shortened opening game against Tennessee Thursday night, but he struggled coming back to start the fifth game against the Smokies. The 21-year-old gave up five runs on seven hits, one walk and hit one batter in three innings, while striking out four. He got the loss in the game and is now 5-3 with a 4.15 ERA.
Kelly said it was tough for Mahle to come back after three days’ rest.
“I’m sure he hasn’t done that before,” Kelly said. “He just didn’t look comfortable out there.”
It was all Tennessee at the plate with all nine starters getting a base hit, including 23-year-old pitcher Hedges whose first professional hit down the first base line drove in two runs in the fourth inning.
Leading the way for the Smokies was Lane Adams, who was picked up by the Chicago Cubs Aug. 3 after the New York Yankees released him July 28. In his 10th game with Tennessee he got on base four times and smacked his first home run—a two-run shot in the seventh—and knocked in three runs, which were his first RBIs for the Cubs affiliate. Going 3-4 Monday jumped Adams average from .167 entering the game to .225.
Pensacola avoided being shut out by scoring four runs in the eighth inning off of Tennessee relievers Stephen Perakslis and David Garner.
“The biggest thing to me is the way we swung the bats,” Kelly said, reflecting on the series. “We don’t have to score a ton of runs, we just got to get them (Pensacola pitchers) some.”
The first run came when right fielder Sebastian Elizalde stroked a line drive into right field to score pinch hitter Ronald Bueno to make the score 9-1. Blue Wahoos second baseman Brandon Dixon singled up the middle when the second baseman failed to field his ground cleanly, allowing center fielder Jeff Gelalich to score from second base to trail the Smokies, 9-2.
Pensacola shortstop Zach Vincej then smacked a high fly ball to left field and Smokies left fielder Kelly Dugan fell down chasing the ball. It was ruled a double—his 23rd of the season—and drove in both Elizalde and Dixon to pull the Blue Wahoos within, 9-4.
Elizalde went 3-4 with an RBI for his 25th multi-hit game and fifth three-hit game. He has two more hits in seven of his last 10 games and is hitting .269 on the season.
The Blue Wahoos, who were the first half champions, fell to 25-25 in the second half. They will start a five-game series at the Mississippi Braves ballpark on Wednesday.
Wahoos Win 10-7 Over Tenn.
August 15, 2016
Pensacola Blue Wahoos center fielder Jeff Gelalich was facing his old UCLA buddy and Tennessee Smokies reliever David Berg in the seventh inning when he hit his second triple of the game Sunday off the left center field wall and drove in two runs.
Gelalich’s had a career night at the plate with three extra base hits, including two triples in a game for the first time and he also smacked a double.
His 3-5 night with three runs scored and two RBIs helped the Blue Wahoos win its fifth straight game—its longest winning streak of the season—with a 10-7 victory over Tennessee in front of 4,295 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“My buddy was the pitcher and my buddy in college,” Gelalich said. “Now I can go see him after the game and not hear about it.”
Gelalich, who joined the Cincinnati Reds with as the 57th pick overall in 2012 had a lot of hoopla surrounding him when he started his professional career, said he is now “something like 2-20 off of him.”
Gelalich recalled that Berg, a submariner pitcher, was “All-World” in the Pac-12 for the Bruins.
“He’s still a good pitcher,” Gelalich said. “He just had a rough night (Sunday).”
Now, it’s Gelalich who is living up to his potential, working his way into becoming an everyday player for the Blue Wahoos, hitting .270 with five triples, 10 doubles and 16 RBIs in 59 games. He has batted first in the Pensacola lineup in 20 of those games.
“I love it,” he said about leading off. “At the beginning of my career, I was trying to be what everyone wanted me to be. Now, I’m enjoying it and having fun. I’m not taking any of this for granted.”
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said the 24-year-old Gelalich seems more relaxed.
“He’s never really had that break out year,” Kelly said. “Now that there are no expectations, he is earning his hits.”
After taking the first four games of the five game series from Tennessee, Pensacola could sweep the Smokies with a win Monday. The Blue Wahoos, who were the first half champions, have improved to 25-24 in the second half.
“They took four out of five at their place,” Kelly said. “Obviously, there’s a little payback. We have a chance at winning the fifth game of the series and we’ll try and do that tomorrow (Monday).”
The Blue Wahoos have swept only one other series in its five-year history, when it beat the Montgomery Biscuits in July 2015.
Tennessee jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, as Pensacola starter Nick Travieso gave up a walk, single, triple and double to the first four batters he faced.
Smokies catcher Victor Caratini hit a triple off the wall in right center to score both center fielder Trey Martin and second baseman Ian Happ to put Tennessee up, 2-0. David Freitas doubled in Caratini for a 3-0 Smokies lead. Frietas moved to third on a wild pitch and then scored on third baseman Jason Vosler’s deep sacrifice fly to left field to make it, 4-0.
But then Travieso, who was making his second start after going on the DL for three starts with a shoulder injury, retired 11 of the next 12 batters and only allowed three more hits over the next four innings.
When Travieso left the game after five innings, Pensacola had gone ahead, 6-4. After working 3.1 innings in his first start back and throwing 58 pitches, Travieso threw 76 pitches Sunday. He allowed six hits, two walks and struck out one, while giving up four runs.
“Obviously that first inning put us behind the eight ball,” Kelly said. “But he got us through five innings. He feels good. It’s just a matter of building his pitch count up. I wasn’t so sure after the first inning that we would be able to do that.”
While Travieso settled down on the mound, the Blue Wahoos settled in at the plate. Pensacola scored its 10 runs on 15 hits Sunday, after getting just four runs on three hits in Saturday’s victory.
Pensacola scored three runs in the third and fourth innings to go ahead, 6-4. The Blue Wahoos sent nine batters to the plate in the third inning and center fielder Jeff Gelalich doubled and scored, second baseman Blandino singled and scored and right fielder Sebastian Elizalde singled and scored.
Pensacola shortstop Zach Vincej singled with the bases loaded and is now 2-6 with three RBIs in that situation. Vincej was 3-5 with a double and two RBIs Sunday and now has 22 multi-hit games.
Three more Blue Wahoos scored in the fourth with Gelalich hitting a triple and scoring, Blandino singling and scoring and Elizalde singling and scoring to give Pensacola a 6-4 lead.
However, Tennessee tied it in the sixth inning when right fielder Lane Adams singled on a tap back to the pitcher and advanced to second on a throwing error. He scored on shortstop Carlos Penalver’s ground out to shortstop. Smokies left fielder Kelly Dugan tied it up, 6-6, when he scored on a hard hit single by pinch hitter Chesney Young.
Before Pensacola won five in a row, it’s longest win streak was four games this season, which they’ve done six times.
Pensacola To Host 2017 Southern League All-Star Game
August 14, 2016
While at the Olympic Games in Rio, team co-owner Bubba Watson announced that the Pensacola Blue Wahoos will host the Southern League All-Star Game in 2017.
“As co-owner of the Blue Wahoos, I am pleased to announce the Southern League has picked Pensacola to host the All-Star game next year,” said co-owner Bubba Watson to the entire Blue Wahoos Stadium. “(We) cannot wait to have all the fans from around the league show up and see our great fan experience and enjoy Pensacola hospitality.”
The announcement of this special event took place during Saturday’s game. Believed to be the first time in history an Olympian from the Olympic Games took time to announce the site of an all-star game, Watson made the announcement between rounds from Rio.
Voted the best Double-A ballpark by Ballpark Digest, Blue Wahoos Stadium will host the Southern League’s premier event of the year. Top prospects and players will descend upon Pensacola along with team executives, scouts and media from around the nation. Specific events surrounding the festivity will be announced at a later date.
“The Southern League is proud to announce its All-Star Game’s first appearance in Pensacola in 2017,” said Southern League President Lori Webb. “The Blue Wahoos ownership and staff will showcase our All-Stars in an exciting game, plus offer many other fun events that will delight all our great fans.”
The Southern League All-Star game is the highlight to the league’s three-day all-star break. All-Star game festivities will be on Monday, June 19 and Tuesday, June 20.
Notable former Southern League All-Stars include Carl Crawford (2001), Matt Holliday (2002), Jake Peavy (2002), Adam Wainwright (2003), Prince Fielder (2004), Joey Votto (2006), Todd Frazier (2009), Joc Pederson (2013), Kris Bryant (2014) and Dansby Swanson (2016).
Notable Blue Wahoos All-Stars include Didi Gregorius (2012), Ryan LaMarre (2012), Michael Lorenzen (2014), Robert Stephenson (2014-2015), Ray Chang (2015), Tim Adleman (2015), Phillip Ervin (2016 and Alejandro Chacin (2016).
This marks the first professional all-star game in the city of Pensacola in 55 years. The last professional all-star game in Pensacola was the summer of 1962 when the Pensacola Senators, an affiliation of the Washington Senators, hosted the Alabama-Florida League All-Star Game at Admiral Mason Ballpark.