CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Pelicans Game Notes

Published on May 10, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


Myrtle Beach Pelicans (21-13) vs. Wilmington Blue Rocks (15-18)

Saturday, May 10 -- 7:05 PM

Frawley Stadium -- Wilmington, DE

Game #35, Road Game #20

TODAY'S GAME AT A GLANCE: The Pelicans enter tonight with their largest advantage of the season in the Carolina League Southern Division at six games. They have built that mark by winning seven consecutive series, dating back to their series loss to the Winston-Salem Warthogs at BB&T Coastal Field (4/14-4/16). Following a convincing 6-1 win in game one of this three-game series, Myrtle Beach will have two chances to keep that streak alive with a win either tonight in game two or Sunday afternoon in the series finale.

TODAY'S STARTING PITCHERS: In a battle of right-handers, Gonzalo Lopez will make his first start of the year against the Blue Rocks against Matt Kniginyzky, appearing for the second time against the Pelicans.

Lopez: Was hit hard his last time out against the Salem Avalanche, registering his first victory of the season despite allowing six runs (five earned) in five innings of work. It has been the early portions of ballgames that have plagued Lopez, who totes a first-inning ERA of 7.50 into his seventh start of the season. His lone appearance in relief this season came in the season opener against Wilmington, when he turned in two scoreless frames in relief of Tommy Hanson, who will start on Sunday.

A native of Managua, Nicaragua, Lopez has been in the Atlanta Braves organization since he was signed as a free agent in July of 2000. He has made stops in the Gulf Coast League (Braves), South Atlantic League (Macon/Rome) and the Carolina League (Myrtle Beach). His best season was in 2004 when he went 8-5 with a 3.67 for the Rome Braves.

Kniginyzki: The Canadian-born right-hander will continue to look for his first victory of the season in his seventh overall and second start against the Pelicans. Has had a rough go of it lately, surrendering nine earned runs on 14 hits over 8 1/3 innings in his last two outings. That includes allowing a season-high ten hits to the Winston-Salem Warthogs in is last outing. In his one outing against Myrtle Beach, the righty lost, turning in just four innings while permitting two earned runs on three hits.

He has actually fared much better away from Frawley Stadium, splitting his six starts equally between home and road, and posting an ERA of 3.14 on the road against a mark of 6.97 at home.

ROAD WARRIORS: The Pelicans are no longer the only team in the CL with a winning record on the road as Frederick has pulled over .500 with a mark of 10-9. However, the birds have compiled a 12-7 mark thus far, which is tops in the league. The Pelicans went 5-2 during their last road trip to Lynchburg and Salem and won their first game on this trip last night.

DOUBLE THE TROUBLE: Over the last week, three different Pelicans have reached 10-game hitting streaks. Travis Jones had his snapped at 11-games (.391, 18-46) last night in the series opener. Ernesto Mejia, the reigning Carolina League Player of the Week, continued his streak however, hitting safely in an 11th straight contest (.404, 19-47). Earlier in the week, Jon Mark Owings had his hit streak stopped at 10 games (.333, 13-39).

AT THE QUARTER POLE: Tonight's game two against Wilmington represents the quarter-mark of the 2008 season, and also the halfway point of the first half. The Pelicans currently lead the Southern Division by a full six games. Last year at the quarter-mark, Myrtle Beach held a record of 16-19 and were a full five games behind eventual first half Southern Division Champion Kinston (21-14).

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