Birds Open September with Victory over Hillcats
September 2, 2021 - Carolina League (CarL)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans' pitching staff held the Lynchburg Hillcats to just one run off 10 hits in a 4-1 victory on Wednesday night. The win pushes the Pelicans to two games over .500 for the first time since June 5th as the Birds stand at 53-51. Lynchburg falls to 50-54 with the loss. After an hour delay because of rain, the game started at 8:00 p.m. It was the first delayed game at Pelicans Ballpark since July 20th.
For the second game in a row, the Pelicans posted just one extra-base hit on a double from Ed Howard (2-5, 2B). Jacob Wetzel (1-4, 2 RBI) had the big hit in the opening frame with a two-run single. Kevin Made (1-5, RBI) singled to bring in a run in his return to the lineup after missing three games.
The game was carried by Birds' starting pitcher Tyler Schlaffer (2-3) as he struck out a career-high eight batters through a six-inning outing. Schlaffer didn't walk anybody, with one earned run off six hits. Bailey Reid earned his seventh save of the year with two strikeouts through the final 1 1/3 innings.
Lynchburg had just one run to show off 10 hits as the visitors went 1-7 with runners in scoring position. Alexfri Planez (2-4, RBI) knocked the only run in on a single in the sixth. Angel Martinez (3-4, 2B, R) posted a three-hit game and scored the lone run of the game.
Jordan Jones (3-8) took the loss after giving up three earned runs through his four innings on five hits. Three pitchers out of the bullpen kept the Pelicans scoreless through the final four frames.
With two outs in the first, Jordan Nwogu worked a walk and stole second for his team-leading 14th stolen base of the year. Owen Caissie struck out but reached first on a wild pitch as Nwogu went to third. Jonathan Sierra walked on four pitches to load the bases. Wetzel stepped up and lined a single up the middle to score two runs and put the Pelicans in front first 2-0.
Myrtle Beach added on their lead with a two-run fourth as Casey Opitz singled to lead off on a bunt. Josue Huma laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Opitz to second, and Fabian Pertuz lined a single to left to put runners on the corners. After Howard popped up for the second out, Made lined a single to center to bring in Opitz as Pertuz got to third. Nwogu came up and grounded a routine ball to short, where Gabriel Rodriguez's throw to second was wide and Pertuz scored to extend the lead to 4-0.
The only Lynchburg run came in the top of the sixth as Martinez lined a double to left with one out. After the next batter struck out, Planez smacked a single to right to bring in the lone run. Planez would come up again in the top of the eighth inning as the tying run with runners at the corners but struck out on Reid to end the inning.
The Pelicans and Hillcats will meet for the third game of the series on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m.
Carolina League Stories from September 2, 2021
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- Columbia Fireflies Game Notes vs Charleston - Columbia Fireflies
- Down East Wood Ducks Game Notes - vs. Kannapolis - Down East Wood Ducks
- Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering Technology Night at SRP Park - Augusta GreenJackets
- Nine-Run First Inning Helps RiverDogs Outslug Columbia 19-10 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Negret Takes over League RBI Lead in 19-10 Loss - Columbia Fireflies
- Miller Matches Team Record with Three Homers in 10-8 Victory - Carolina Mudcats
- Birds Open September with Victory over Hillcats - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
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