Balaguert Stuns Mudcats with Three-Run Walk-Off Blast

April 22, 2016 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release

Yasiel Balaguert of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans
(Myrtle Beach Pelicans)

Myrtle Beach (8-7) was down to their final strike before Ian Happ worked out a walk to bring Balaguert to the plate as the winning run. The rally started with one out when Charcer Burks doubled to center.

The Pelicans found themselves in the situation because of a late Carolina (6-9) rally. With one out and two men aboard and Myrtle Beach nursing a 3-2 lead in the seventh, Mudcats shortstop Dansby Swanson hit a liner to center. Burks laid out to try and catch the ball, but came up short, allowing the ball to roll to the wall. Swanson rounded the bases for a three-run inside-the-park home run, giving the Mudcats a 5-3 lead.

The scoring began quickly in the first. Keith Curcio doubled to begin the game before Omar Obregon bunted him to third. Pelicans starter Trevor Clifton would then unleash a wild pitch to allow Curcio to score and give Carolina the 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the inning, Gleyber Torres and Happ both drew walks before Balaguert and Jason Vosler drove them in on consecutive singles. Jeffrey Baez then hit a potential double play ball in which Swanson's throw eluded first baseman Joey Meneses, allowing Balaguert to score and make it 3-1 Pelicans.

From there, Clifton and Mudcats starter Ryan Clark would settle in. Clark allowed just those three runs over five innings while Clifton gave up only one earned run over five and a third innings.

With the score at 3-1 in the sixth, Obregon reached on an error before Swanson doubled him to third. Jordan Edgerton then flew out to center to score Obregon and end the night for Clifton.

The late-inning comeback earned the first win of the season for Jose Rosario (1-0), while Zach Quintana (0-2) took the loss.

Thursday marked the second walk-off win of the young season for the Pelicans. The first came on an Ian Happ two-run double against Winston-Salem on April 11.

Balaguert's home run was his second in the last three days. He's gone 6-for-12 with 7 RBI over that span. Myrtle Beach has now won five of their last six games, including the last three contests against Carolina.

Erick Leal (2-0, 2.70 ERA) will get the start on Friday on Star Wars Night for the Pelicans against Enderson Franco (0-1, 10.64 ERA) of Carolina. Coverage begins at 6:50pm. on MyrtleBeachPelicans.com and the TuneIn App.

The 2016 season is the 18th season for the Pelicans franchise and second as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2016, please call (843) 918-6000, e-mail info@myrtlebeachpelicans.com, or visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

Yasiel Balaguert of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Carolina League Stories from April 22, 2016

• Mudcats Ride Three RBI Doubles to Skid Snapping Victory - Carolina Mudcats
• Montilla's Cycle Leads Dash to Blowout Victory - Winston-Salem Dash
• P-Nats Continue Domination in Wilmington, Win 5-2 - Potomac Nationals
• Happ, Vosler Reach Base Three Times in 6-3 Loss to Mudcats - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Rocks Still Unable to Crack Potomac Nationals at Home, Fall 5-2 - Wilmington Blue Rocks
• Rocks Still Unable to Crack Potomac Nationals at Home, Fall 5-2 - Wilmington Blue Rocks
• Seven-Run Inning Give Hillcats Ninth Straight Win - Lynchburg Hillcats
• Montilla's Cycle Leads Dash to Blowout Victory - Winston-Salem Dash
• Keys Can't Overcome Seven-Run Second Inning in 8-5 Loss - Frederick Keys
• Salem Outslugged by Winston-Salem, 13-8 - Salem Red Sox
• Crawford Heads to DL - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• April 22 Carolina Mudcats Game Information - Carolina Mudcats
• Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (April 22 at Salem) - Winston-Salem Dash
• Swanson Homers in 6-5 Loss in Myrtle Beach - Carolina Mudcats
• Potomac Sweeps DH with 4-3 and 3-0 Wins vs. Wilmington - Potomac Nationals
• Balaguert Stuns Mudcats with Three-Run Walk-Off Blast - Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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