Marlins Minor League Rundown: Pensacola Surging Towards Playoffs

The Miami Marlins Double-A affiliate is surging towards a playoff spot in the Southern League. 

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (69-50) enter their 13-day road trip, starting with a series against the Montgomery Biscuits, with a 5.5-game lead for first place in the South Division with a 33-17 second-half record. 

The Blue Wahoos secured a 4-2 series victory over Knoxville after a 4-3 win on Sunday. Pensacola RHP Mason Vinyard converted his first save of the season after throwing 2.2 scoreless innings. 

Ethan O’Donnell homered for the second straight day, a two-run shot in the second inning. Brandon Compton hit his 31st home run of the season. The Marlins No. 13 prospect leads the Miami farm system in RBI (89), slugging percentage (.601), runs (79), and extra-base hits (56).

The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (63-61) secured a 4-2 series win over Memphis after riding the long ball to a 6-2 win on Sunday.

Marlins No. 19 prospect Jonathon Long hit a two-run homer in the top of the third inning for the Jumbo Shrimp. Bennett Hostetler followed it up with home runs in both the fourth and sixth innings.

Marlins No. 10 prospect Brayden Taylor demonstrated his speed by hitting a triple and scoring two runs on the day.

The Jumbo Shrimp host the Nashville Sounds this week. Jacksonville is 7-5 against Nashville this season.

The Beloit Sky Carp (61-58) saw their season-high eight-game winning streak snapped after falling to Cedar Rapids 7-1 on Sunday. After falling short of sweeping Cedar Rapids, the Sky Carp find themselves tied for first place in the Midwest League South standings with a 34-20 second-half record. 

The Sky Carp were held to only three hits on Sunday, all singles from Dillon Head (No. 29 prospect), Cam Clayton, and Cody Schrier, which plated Beloit’s lone run of the game. Despite the lopsided defeat, LHP Julio Mendez put out a solid five innings with one run allowed and five strikeouts over five innings.

The Sky Carp travel to take on the Quad Cities River Bandits this week. 

The Jupiter Hammerheads host the Tampa Tarpons for a six-game series this week. The Hammerheads are coming off a 3-2 series loss against Bradenton. 

Echedry Vargas leads the Hammerheads with 22 home runs and 81 RBI, while batting .310, which also paces the squad. 

Jupiter (60-58) has struggled to a 23-29 second half but has previously clinched a Florida State League playoff berth with a first-half division title.