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 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Unlikely Hero: Penalver's Homer Walks off Potomac

July 31, 2015 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (JULY 30, 2015) - The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, streaked their way to a fifth consecutive win on the strength of shortstop Carlos Penalver's ninth-inning, two-run walk-off homer to beat the Potomac Nationals 4-3 on Thursday night. It was his first home run in more than a year and was also the first walk-off homer for the Pelicans since Billy McKinney hit a tenth-inning solo blast to complete a series sweep against the Salem Red Sox on May 7.

Penalver had not gone deep since he lifted a solo home run against the Peoria Chiefs on May 31, 2014, but that changed on Thursday at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark in dramatic fashion. With the Birds trailing 3-2 into the bottom of the ninth, Daniel Lockhart drew a leadoff walk, setting up Penalver's game-winning blast. Ahead in the count 2-0 against reliever Manny Rodriguez, Penalver tagged a deep line drive over the left field bleachers to win the ballgame 4-3 and complete a three-game series sweep of the Nationals (48-55, 15-18 second half).

At the outset, the game remained scoreless until Penalver gave the Pelicans (61-43, 20-15 second half) an early lead in the third inning. After the young shortstop singled and stole second base, he scored on Chesny Young's RBI triple into the right-center field gap for a 1-0 Pelicans lead. It would be the only run Nationals starter Brian Rauh allowed in his six innings on the mound.

The Nationals responded in the next half inning, tying the game in the top of the fourth against Pelicans starter Jeremy Null. Designated hitter Drew Ward began the frame with a single before another single and a sacrifice bunt moved him to third base. Second baseman Khayyan Norfork then tied the ballgame at 1-1 with an RBI ground out.

In the first two games of the series, the Pelicans had not trailed the Nationals at any point. That changed in the fifth inning when a leadoff single, a ground out, and another single put Potomac in front, 2-1.

Null did not pitch past the fifth frame, and in his fifth start with the Pelicans, he took his third no decision. The tall right-hander allowed a pair of earned runs on five hits while walking one and striking out one.

The visitors went on to add a third marker in the seventh against reliever David Garner. With one out and runners at the corners, Lockhart fielded a ground ball and threw to second base, but the would-be double play was wide of the mark. His errant throw allowed another run to score, widening the gap and putting Potomac ahead, 3-1.

However the Pelicans chipped away in the eighth, as Young singled to start the frame before a walk and a hit batsman loaded the bases. After two pitching changes in the inning, Cael Brockmeyer then singled up the middle to drive Young across the plate and pull the Pelicans to within a run at 3-2.

In spite of his error, Lockhart's ninth-inning walk proved crucial for the Pelicans, as it set up Penalver's home run to be the game-winner.

Left-hander Michael Heesch, who took over for the final two innings in relief of Garner, picked up the win and improved his record to 8-1 on the year. All eight of his wins have come as a reliever. Outside of a pair of hits, Heesch fired two shutout innings and struck out one.

Rodriguez (1-3) finished with only 1/3 of an inning of work, taking the loss as well as blowing his second save of the season.

The Pelicans hit the road for a three game set against the Frederick Keys beginning on Friday, and the first pitch from Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. The Birds will hand the ball to right-hander Paul Blackburn (4-4, 3.82 ERA) while the Keys counter with left-hander Mitch Horacek (6-11, 4.61 ERA).

The game can be heard live on 1450 WRNN-AM ESPN Myrtle Beach, on the TuneIn Radio App, and via the MiLB First Pitch App, beginning with the Pregame Show at 6:40 p.m. ET.

The Pelicans return home for a six-game homestand beginning Tuesday, August 4. The Birds open a three-game set against the Wilmington Blue Rocks before welcoming Frederick to town for a weekend series August 7-9.

The 2015 season marks the 17th season for the Pelicans franchise and first as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2015, please call (843) 918-6000, e-mail info@myrtlebeachpelicans.com, or visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.


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