Pensacola Local News & Breaking Updates | NewsWK
Pensacola Blue Wahoos Rally Past Montgomery in 10 Innings as Playoff Magic Number Shrinks to Nine
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos secured a 5-4 extra-inning victory over the Montgomery Biscuits on Thursday, lowering their Southern League playoff magic number to nine as the club continues its late-season push for postseason baseball in Northwest Florida.
Last updated:
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos took another decisive step toward the Southern League baseball postseason Thursday night. The team overcame early deficits in Montgomery, Alabama. Then, Pensacola executed late to secure a 5-4 extra-inning victory over the Montgomery Biscuits at DABOS Park.
Pensacola earned the road victory while the Columbus Clingstones lost. Therefore, the Blue Wahoos reduced their playoff-clinching magic number to nine with just 15 regular-season games remaining. This win improved Pensacola to 71-51 overall and 35-18 in the second half. Furthermore, the club reinforced an extraordinary 9-1 record in extra-inning contests this season.
For sports fans across Pensacola and Escambia County, the club means a great deal. Also, neighboring communities in Santa Rosa and Baldwin counties support the team. The Blue Wahoos represent more than Double-A baseball. They serve as a community staple and an economic driver for downtown Pensacola. Meanwhile, the Miami Marlins affiliate closes in on another postseason appearance. Each victory brings the area closer to hosting meaningful playoff baseball along Pensacola Bay in September.
The club’s late-season surge continues a remarkable turnaround from a demanding first half. Timely execution, defensive discipline, and bullpen reliability drive this success and resonate with local fans.
Montgomery Biscuits challenge Pensacola with early runs
The Montgomery Biscuits, the Double-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, challenged Pensacola early. Montgomery opened the scoring in the home half of the first inning. Cooper Kinney delivered an RBI single to center field, driving home Mac Horvath for a 1-0 advantage.
Next, Montgomery doubled its lead in the third inning. Kinney doubled to open the frame. Then, Will Simpson followed with an RBI double to left field to score Kinney. Pensacola starting pitcher Eliazar Dishmey soon loaded the bases with Biscuits runners. However, the Blue Wahoos defense executed under pressure. Third baseman Juan Matheus initiated a sharp 5-2-3 double play on a softly hit ground ball. Next, he caught a foul popup to halt the rally and keep the deficit at 2-0.
Dishmey ultimately worked 4.2 innings. Then, he handed the ball to Mason Vinyard in the fifth.
Trimble sparks the Pensacola offense
Pensacola cut into the lead in the top of the fourth inning. Brandon Compton launched a double down the right-field line. Then, Fenwick Trimble brought him home with an RBI single to right against Montgomery starter Santiago Suarez.
Trimble struck again in the sixth inning. With two outs and runners aboard, Trimble lined a two-run single into right field. This hit drove in both Compton and Dillon Lewis to hand Pensacola a 3-2 lead. Meanwhile, Suarez concluded a solid quality start for Montgomery. He permitted three runs on six hits over six innings with five strikeouts.
However, Montgomery answered swiftly in the bottom of the sixth against Pensacola’s bullpen. Gregory Barrios, Daniel Vellojin, and Ryan Spikes reached base to load the bases. Next, Horvath hit a two-run single to center to plate Barrios and Vellojin. That hit restored a 4-3 Montgomery lead. Still, Pensacola catcher Ryan Ignoffo prevented further damage. He picked Spikes off third base to end the inning.
Late execution pushes Blue Wahoos score ahead
Trailing 4-3 in the eighth inning, the Blue Wahoos turned to tactical small ball. Adrian Santana reached base and advanced into scoring position. Then, Matheus executed a squeeze bunt single off Montgomery reliever Andrew Lindsey. This bunt brought Santana home to tie the contest at 4-4.
Reliever Nigel Belgrave entered the game for Pensacola. He shut down the Biscuits’ lineup through regulation and forced extra innings.
Blue Wahoos playoffs drive gains steam in extra innings
In the top of the 10th inning, automatic runner Jay Beshears took second base. Then, Santana wasted no time putting Pensacola back in front. Santana lined an RBI double to right field off Biscuits reliever Justin Yeager to drive in Beshears for a 5-4 lead. Next, Compton walked and stole second base. However, Yeager escaped without allowing further runs.
Belgrave returned for the bottom of the 10th. Then, Luis Palacios entered to record the final out, shutting the door on Montgomery to secure the save. Belgrave earned the victory to move to 5-5 on the season. Meanwhile, Palacios recorded his third save. Yeager took the loss (0-1) after allowing one unearned run over 2.1 innings.
Background and Southern League baseball outlook
Thursday’s victory provided a vital rebound for Pensacola after a 10-0 shutout loss to the Biscuits on Wednesday. Because Columbus lost both Wednesday and Thursday, Pensacola’s magic number dropped by two full games over 24 hours. The number fell from 11 down to nine.
In baseball standings, a magic number represents the combined wins and rival losses needed to clinch a postseason berth. Therefore, Pensacola controls its destiny with just nine combined outcomes needed over the final 15 games.
The Blue Wahoos’ second-half surge includes decisive stretches. For example, the team completed a six-game road sweep over the Biloxi Shuckers earlier this month. That marked Pensacola’s first six-game sweep since the 2023 season. Resilience in tight contests fuels that success, underscored by a 9-1 mark in extra innings.
Pensacola continues its series in Montgomery on Friday night. The team aims to reduce the magic number further and solidify its spot in the Southern League playoffs.
Sources
- https://www.milb.com/news/wahoos-best-biscuits-in-extras-as-magic-number-narrows-to-nine
- https://www.mlb.com/news/suarez-spins-quality-start-as-montgomery-falls-in-extras-to-pensacola-5-4
- https://www.northescambia.com/2026/08/wahoos-best-biscuits-in-extras-as-magic-number-narrows-to-nine
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Related: Pensacola Blue Wahoos Command Division Lead as Late-August Playoff Push Heats Up
Related: Pensacola Navigates Major Road Projects, Summer Storms, and Growth Decisions Across Escambia County
Related: Escambia County Overnight Dispatch Log: 28 Calls Tracked Across Pensacola and Surrounding Areas
Related: Pensacola Blue Wahoos Complete Historic Six-Game Road Sweep Over Biloxi with 6-3 Victory
Related: Weekend Events in Pensacola: Monster Trucks, Blue Wahoos, Live Music, and More
See a typo? Report it here.
