BILOXI, Miss. - The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won their fourth in a row on Friday night, overcoming an early deficit to beat the Biloxi Shuckers 9-4.
Adrian Santana had his biggest game since joining the Blue Wahoos at the trade deadline, hitting a two-run double in the second inning and a go-ahead, three-run double that proved decisive in the eighth inning.
Brandon Compton gave the Blue Wahoos an early 1-0 lead in the first inning with an RBI double, but the Shuckers answered back in the bottom half against Pensacola starter Orlando Ortiz-Mayr. After loading the bases on a walk, error and single, Matthew Wood hit a grand slam to give Biloxi a 4-1 lead.
Santana's double in the second inning got the Blue Wahoos back within a run at 4-3, but neither team scored another run through the end of the sixth. Biloxi's bid for a double steal of home in the fifth inning was foiled when catcher Ryan Ignoffo traded throws with Santana at second base to cut down Dylan O'Rae at the plate.
Three innings of effective relief from Jaydenn Estanista (W, 1-0) kept the game within reach for the Blue Wahoos, who finally tied the game 4-4 in the seventh inning thanks to a two-out RBI single from Juan Matheus. Against reliever Jesús Broca (L, 3-5) in the eighth, the Blue Wahoos loaded the bases with two singles and a walk before Santana ambushed the first pitch he saw for a three-run double. Cristian Hernández followed with a double of his own, his fifth in the past three games, to score Santana and extend the lead to 8-4.
Colby Shade added an insurance run in the ninth when he was hit by a pitch, stole third base, and scored on a wild pitch. Holt Jones got the final six outs in relief to seal Pensacola's 9-4 victory.
With the win, the Blue Wahoos remain 3.0 games ahead of the Montgomery Biscuits with 26 games to play in the race for the second half South Division title.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Shuckers on Saturday. First pitch from Keesler Federal Park is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CT, with a live broadcast beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Bally Sports Live, BlueWahoos.com/radio or the MiLB app.