Nieto Hits Two-Out Single for, 5-4, Pensacola Win
PENSACOLA, Fla., - Pensacola Blue Wahoos catcher Adrian Nieto continued to come through on offense for his team.With two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, he smacked a hard liner to left field to score second baseman Alex Blandino, who had doubled with two outs, to give the
PENSACOLA, Fla., - Pensacola Blue Wahoos catcher
With two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, he smacked a hard liner to left field to score second baseman
Nieto now has four RBIs in six at bats with two outs and runners in scoring position. Plus, the 27-year-old is batting .353 in his last six games with one home run, that he hit Tuesday, and two RBIs.
Nieto agreed with Pensacola manager Pat Kelly that his offense is improving with more regular at bats. Both he and Pensacola catcher
Nieto, who played 48 games with the Chicago White Sox in 2014, also has been watching video from his 2013 season when he had his best year at the plate, hitting .285 for the High-A Potomac Nationals.
"It helps to get your at-bats and get into a rhythm," Nieto said. "I've made a few adjustments here and there watching old film from 2013. The Reds told me, 'Get back to where you were.' To have that freedom feels great."
Plus, he smiled and admitted he has some extra incentive at the plate, having played for Birmingham in 2015 and being selected for the All-Star game.
"That was a win that I really wanted," Nieto said. "Hopefully, we'll get our fourth one (Friday)."
Blue Wahoos right fielder
It was Aquino's first homer in 21 at bats after knocking one out May 1 against Biloxi. His two-run blast came after having struck out five times in a row against Barons pitchers.
The lead held up until the seventh inning when Pensacola reliever
The two runs scored on Guillon denied starter
"It's a shame but the win will come (for Mella)," said Kelly.
Mella threw 5.2 innings, allowed two runs on six hits, walked two and struck out four. He is 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA.
Pensacola took the lead, 2-1, in the third inning when third baseman
Peter smashed a double into the left field corner that scored Alvarez from first to cut the Blue Wahoos lead in the fifth inning to, 4-2.
Pensacola upped its record to 18-16 and are in a tie with the Biloxi Shuckers for first place in the South Division.
GAME NOTES
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos host the final game of the five-game series against the Chicago White Sox Double-A affiliate Birmingham Barons at 6:35 p.m. Friday, May 12. The Barons are starting RHP
The games are broadcast live on the Blue Wahoos flagship station 97.1 The Ticket. Listen for free at bluewahoos.com and by using the TuneIn Radio app on your mobile, desktop or home devices. Watch Friday's game on BLAB TV.
BIG FISH Catcher Adrian Nieto was 2-4, scored a run and drove in the game-winner…Left fielder Tyler Goeddel was 2-4 with a double and increased his batting average to .364…First baseman Eric Jagielo hit 2-4 with a double and run scored...Josh VanMeter continues to get clutch two-out hits, going 8-18, or .444, with 10 RBIs. He was 1-3 with an RBI.
Tickets to the 2017 Southern League All-Star Game are on sale now! Purchase tickets online at bluewahoos.com or visiting the Box Office. Orders can also be placed over the phone by calling 850-934-8444. The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are the Double-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of the Southern League. Follow the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at BlueWahoos.com, facebook.com/PensacolaBlueWahoos and twitter.com/BlueWahoosBBall.
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