McInvale Leads Bullpen Charge As Blue Wahoos Gain Twinbill Split
Normally a reliever, Andrew McInvale had not started a game since 2019. He made the one Thursday night memorable at a time when the Blue Wahoos needed it the most. With his breaking pitches working well, McInvale allowed just two hits in a four-inning start, setting a tone for the
Normally a reliever, Andrew McInvale had not started a game since 2019.
He made the one Thursday night memorable at a time when the Blue Wahoos needed it the most.
With his breaking pitches working well, McInvale allowed just two hits in a four-inning start, setting a tone for the Blue Wahoos 2-0 win against the Montgomery Biscuits to gain a split in a weather-affected doubleheader at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The outing matched the longest of McInvale’s pro career and made a long day end in a good way for the Blue Wahoos. Jefry Yan (2 innings) followed to pick up the win, after the Blue Wahoos got a run in the fifth inning and another in the sixth. Sean Reynolds earned his third save with a quick final inning.
In the first 7-inning game of the twinbill, the Biscuits clubbed 16 hits in a 13-1 win. It followed Wednesday’s postponement and the Biscuits 9-5 win in Tuesday’s homestand opening.
McInvale, who touched a young boy’s heart in the last homestand, spending time with an 8-year-old battling through loss of both legs and making his first baseball game unforgettable, was delivering on the mound Thursday in a big way.
The 25-year-old, Austin, Texas native, did not allow a walk, kept the game moving a crisp pace, and set up his team for the win.
The Blue Wahoos manufactured a run in the fifth to break a scoreless tie. J.D. Osborne led off with a walk. J.D. Orr put down a sacrifice bunt to move Osborne to second. Demetrius Sims followed with a 2-out double.
In the sixth, Norel Gonzalez led off by blasting a homer into the right field berm. In the final three innings, Yan and Reynolds combined to allow just one hit and two baserunners.
Rainy weather in Pensacola has been a factor all week. Thursday’s doubleheader was pushed back more than two hours with the first game starting at 6:14 p.m. and the second game ending shortly before 11 p.m.
Both games were played amid off-and-on drizzle, but it was another example of how the synthetic turf at the stadium enabled the games to get completed.
The Biscuits dominated the first game. They expanded a 5-0 lead in the third inning with an 8-run, sixth inning. Nasim Nunez went 2-for-3 at the plate and Jose Devers drove in the Blue Wahoos only run.
The teams are set to resume the series Friday night at 6:35 p.m. on Derrick Brooks Bobblehead night, honoring the Pensacola native and Pro Football Hall of Fame member, who is a Blue Wahoos co-investor. Members of the famed Blue Angels flight demonstration team will also be honored with “Blue Angels in the Outfield” theme.
The weather Thursday caused a small turnout at the ballpark, but had some notable elements with a visit from a Monterey, Mexico professional baseball team and presentation of a check to a special U.S. Navy foundation.
GAME NOTABLES
Prior to the doubleheader, two owners with the Sultanes de Monterrey, a professional team in the Mexican League from Monterrey, Mexico. visited Pensacola and met with Blue Wahoos team president Jonathan Griffin, along with co-investors Bubba Watson and Randall Wells.
The team owners wanted to learn more about the Blue Wahoos operations, so they traveled from Mexico on Thursday to see the Blue Wahoos experience. One of the team's owners was a big pro golf fan and wanted to meet Bubba Watson and how he got started with the team.
The Monterrey Sultans have a extensive history of success in the Mexican League with 10 league championships.
NAVY VISIT -- Between innings of the first game, the Blue Wahoos presented a check for $11,000 to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, which assists service members and their families in times of emergency need. The money was raised from the auction of the special U.S. Navy jerseys the Blue Wahoos wore during Memorial Day weekend and the July 3 game preceding Fourth of July.
Captain Terrence Shashaty, base commander at Naval Air Stadium-Pensacola attended the game and was part of the check presentation on the field.
BLUE WAHOOS HOMESTAND
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Blue Wahoos Homestand
WHO: Montgomery Biscuits vs Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Wednesday through Sunday
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
GAMETIMES: Friday's game starts at 6:35 p.m. Saturday’s game will be at 6:05 p.m. and Sunday’s game at 4:05 p.m.
RADIO: ESPN-Pensacola (99.1 FM and 1330 AM and WYCT 98.7 HD4).
TV: YurView (check provider) and MILB.tv (streaming) through www.milb.com/live-stream-games with subscription discount using BLUE WAHOOS.
PROMOTIONS:. FRIDAY: Derrick Brooks Bobblehead Night – First 2,000 fans will receive a Derrick Brooks bobblehead likeness of Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker. Also members of the Blue Angels team will be at the game and signing autographs.
SATURDAY : Post game fireworks night.
SUNDAY: Family Sunday with kids able to run the bases and families able to toss baseballs in the outfield. Plus, fans will receive a team photo of players from the second-half roster.