BayBears fall in walk-off fashion after tying game in ninth

PENSACOLA, Fla. (July 22, 2019) - The Mobile BayBears, the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, came back with runs in the eighth and ninth to tie the game but dropped the series opener to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 5-3 in walk-off fashion Monday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The BayBears (40-58 overall, 13-17 second half) issued just one walk and struck out 14 batters in the game. Zack Kelly recorded a career-high nine strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings, but he allowed a pair of home runs to Brian Navarreto in the second and Lewin Diaz in the sixth. Mark Contreras hit the game-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth against Isaac Mattson (3-2), snapping his scoreless streak of 23 1/3 innings.
Trailing 3-1 through seven, the BayBears plated runs in the eighth and ninth. Zane Gurwitz scored on a double play to cut the Blue Wahoos (50-50, 12-18) lead in half and tied the game with a sacrifice fly the next inning.
Brandon Marsh 's 18-game on-base streak came to an end with an 0-for-4 night at the plate.
The BayBears continue the five-game road series against Pensacola Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. Right-handed pitcher Andrew Wantz (0-1, 4.02 ERA) is scheduled to make the start against southpaw Bryan Sammons (2-3, 5.26 ERA) for the Blue Wahoos. Live coverage can be seen on MiLB.tv (Pensacola feed, subscription required, promo code: BAYBEARS) and heard on MobileBayBears.com, the TuneIn app, and the MiLB First Pitch app, with the Countdown to First Pitch starting at 6:15 p.m.
The BayBears return home Saturday and host a total of 70 home dates through Labor Day, September 2. The new BayBears Pass is available, featuring a general admission ticket to every BayBears game at Hank Aaron Stadium for only $19.97 per month. Partial plans are also available, featuring a 7-game plan and a 12-game option to guarantee bobbleheads and receive tickets to select fireworks nights. Individual game tickets can be purchased online at MobileBayBears.com or by calling 251-572-BEAR (2327).
About the Mobile BayBears
The Mobile BayBears are the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels and play their games at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. The BayBears were founded in 1997 and have won four Southern League titles in 1998, 2004, 2011, and 2012. Additionally, the 1998 and 2011 championship squads were named Minor League Team of the Year by Baseball America. More than 175 former BayBears have reached the Major League level, including All-Stars Max Scherzer, Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Peavy, Carlos González, and Justin Upton. For more information on the Mobile BayBears and Hank Aaron Stadium, please visit MobileBayBears.com, call (251) 572-BEAR (2327), or contact Steve Goldberg via email at [email protected].
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