The Pensacola Blue Wahoos ended the regular season with a 2-1 loss to the Biloxi Shuckers on Sept. 13 in Pensacola, Fla. The teams split their six-game series, setting up a best-of-three Southern League Division Series between the first-half South Division champion Biloxi Shuckers and the second-half champion Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
Pensacola finished with a league-leading 79-58 record, which produced the third-best winning percentage in Pensacola Blue Wahoos history. The teams will begin the Division Series Tuesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium, with the series moving to Biloxi for Game Two on Thursday and Game Three on Friday, if necessary.
Biloxi scores twice early
The Biloxi Shuckers scored in the third inning after Mike Boeve led off with a single and advanced to third on a hit and a walk against Pensacola starter Jacob Miller. Alex Williams entered with the bases loaded and retired both batters he faced before Jesus Made hit a sacrifice fly that scored Boeve and gave Biloxi a 1-0 lead.
Josh Hejka pitched 4.0 innings of one-run relief for the Blue Wahoos. Braylon Payne hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning to give the Shuckers a 2-0 lead, while Manuel Rodriguez earned the win and improved to 13-4. Miller was charged with the loss and finished 1-6.
Dillon Lewis provides late offense
Pensacola got on the scoreboard in the eighth inning when Dillon Lewis hit a solo home run. It was Lewis’ first home run since June 24 and gave the Blue Wahoos a share of the Southern League home run lead.
The home run helped Pensacola finish with a franchise-record 184 home runs, tying the Birmingham Barons for the Southern League lead this season. The total also tied the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Birmingham Barons for third-most home runs in a season in Southern League history.
Garrett Hodges earned his second save after the Blue Wahoos left two runners on base in the ninth inning. Colby Shade made a leaping catch for Pensacola during the game.
Southern League Division Series schedule
Game One is scheduled for Tuesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium, with first pitch set for 6:05 p.m. CT. The live broadcast is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. CT on YurView, Bally Sports Live, MLB.tv and bluewahoos.com/radio.
Game Two is scheduled for Thursday in Biloxi. Game Three will be played Friday in Biloxi if necessary.
Source: Original report