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Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Pelicans Game Notes

July 7, 2008 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


TODAY'S GAME AT A GLANCE: The Pelicans three-game series with the Blue Rocks will be decided in tonight's finale. Interestingly, the home team has not won any of the three pior series played between the two clubs this season. The Pelicans took three-of-four games from the Rocks at Frawley Stadium to open the year (4/4-4/7) and swept Wilmington in Delaware (5/9-5/11) in a three-game set. Wilmington responded by claiming two-of-three games from the Pelicans on the Grand Strand (5/16-5/18). Following this series, the teams will meet in two more series this season, with the Pelicans traveling North (8/18-8/20) and the Blue Rocks again visiting the beach (8/24-8/27). Myrtle Beach shut out Wilmington 1-0 in the series opener on Saturday, and the Rocks leveled the ledger with a 3-2 game two win last night.

TODAY'S STARTING PITCHERS: The series finale will feature dueling right-handers, as Chris Vines makes the start for Myrtle Beach against Mario Santiago for Wilmington.

Vines: Is coming off one of his rockier outings of the season, conceding five earned runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings to the Frederick Keys his last time out. Is virtually the same pitcher at home and on the road, sporting a road-ERA of 3.71 opposed by a 3.48 mark at home. However, he fared much better as a reliever than he has since transitioning back to the starting rotation. In six relief appearances to open the season, Vines permitted just one earned run in 17 1/3 innings pitched (0.63) ERA. He has been up and down as a starter, but with his struggles in his last outing, his ERA in a starting role (10 starts) has risen to 4.62. The right-hander has dominated Wilmington this season, appearing against the Rocks three times (two starts) and allowing just one earned run in 14 innings combined.

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Vines was selected in the fifth round of the 2003 June Free Agent Draft. In four professional seasons prior to 2008, Vines was 19-15 with a 4.50 ERA.

Santiago: Has been on a roll of late, claiming four victories in his last five outings and recording a decision in all five appearances. His last outing was one of his finest of the season, blanking the Kinston Indians for 6 2/3 innings at Historic Grainger Stadium on four hits, while striking out three. He has been a drastically different pitcher away from the comfortable surroundings of his home ballpark, Frawley Stadium. In seven home starts, Santiago has posted a razor-thin ERA of 2.03, while on the road he has surrendered more than three more runs a game (5.31 - 9 starts). He has started once against the Pelicans, not factoring in the decision on May 18th while lasting just four innings and conceding three runs.

A native of Salinas, Puerto Rico, Santiago was selected in the 16th of the 2005 draft by the Kansas City Royals. Prior to being drafted, he attended Laredo (TX) Community College and Baton Rouge Community College. In 2007, he was named the Low-A Burlington Pitcher of the Year.

FREE PASS TO THE RECORD: Pelicans catcher Tyler Flowers is approaching the Pelicans single-season franchise record for walks. Amazingly, the power hitter has already received 63 free passes from Carolina League pitching. He walked in Sunday's game two loss with the bases loaded to force home a run and in so doing passed Carl Loadenthal for third all-time. Matt Young currently holds the record collecting 71 free passes in 2006.

PELICANS GEARRIN UP FOR STRETCH RUN: Pelicans' All-Star closer Bryan Dumesnil was promoted to Double-A Mississippi following Sunday's ballgame, but the Braves wasted no time replacing him with a highly-touted prospect. Cory Gearrin, a fourth round draft pick in 2007, joins the team today. The righty has been flourishing with the Rome (A) Braves, posting an ERA of 2.82 in 29 relief appearances, striking out a whopping 36 in 22 1/3 innings.

SLUMPING MEJIA: Pelicans first baseman Ernesto Mejia is in a rare funk since the All-Star break. Mejia is 5-39 (.128) since winning the Carolina Cooling Home Run Derby. In addition, he has struck out 13 times and has not hit a home run. In the first half of the season, Mejia hit .284 with 12 home runs and 49 RBIs.

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Carolina League Stories from July 7, 2008


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