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Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Nationals Shut Out Pelicans To Even Series

September 7, 2014 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (SEPTEMBER 7, 2014) - The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Texas Rangers, lost Game Two of the Mills Cup Championship Series 3-0 to the Potomac Nationals on Sunday night at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. John Wooten hit the decisive three-run home run in the sixth inning to tie the best-of-five series at one game apiece. The remaining three games will be played on the road at Pfitzner Stadium.

Neither team scored in the first five innings. Nationals starter Dakota Bacus took a no-hitter into the fourth inning before allowing a leadoff single to Royce Bolinger. Pelicans starter Victor Payano retired 12 batters in a row from the second inning through the fifth inning.

The Nationals (3-1 in postseason) scored the game's only runs in the sixth inning. Isaac Ballou and Tony Renda both reached on infield singles to start the inning. After Shawn Pleffner flew out, Cody Kendall entered the game in relief of Payano.

Wooten was the first man to face Kendall, and he drilled a three-run home run to left field to put Potomac up 3-0. The Nationals threatened to score more runs after Wooten's home run when Randolph Oduber followed up with a single, but Khayyan Norfork grounded into a double play to end the threat.

Payano left the ballgame after 5 1/3 innings in a scoreless game with two men on base. He allowed two earned runs on five hits, striking out five while walking none.

The Pelicans (3-2 in postseason) had the tying run at the plate in the bottom half of the sixth but did not score. With two outs, Ryan Cordell singled. After Manny Rodriguez entered the game in relief of Bacus, Lewis Brinson doubled to right to put two Pelicans in scoring position. Kellin Deglan then grounded out to first to end the inning and the scoring threat.

Bacus was finished after pitching 5 2/3 scoreless innings, scattering two hits, both singles, striking out five while walking three; he also hit a batter.

After Kendall finished his night with 1 2/3 innings pitched, Jose Leclerc entered the game in the eighth inning and tossed two scoreless frames with four strikeouts.

Gilberto Mendez relieved Rodriguez in the ninth inning and picked up his third save of the playoffs to close the game out for the Nationals and even the series at 1-1.

Bacus (1-0) earned the win and Payano (0-1) took the loss.

The best-of-five series shifts to Woodbridge, Virginia starting with Game Three on Tuesday night. Game Four and Game Five, if necessary, will take place at Pfitzner Stadium.

The first pitch for Game Three at Pfitzner Stadium is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Sam Wolff (0-0, 1.50) starts for the Pelicans against Nationals starter Matthew Spann (9-5, 3.81). The game can be heard live on WRNN AM 1450 ESPN Myrtle Beach, on the TuneIn Radio App, and via the MiLB First Pitch App, beginning with the Hampton Inn Pregame Show at 6:45 p.m.

The Pelicans return to TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark in 2015 for their 17th season, looking to defend their Southern Division Championship. For information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2015, please call (843) 918-6002, e-mail info@myrtlebeachpelicans.com, or visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com .

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Carolina League Stories from September 7, 2014


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