CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Birds squander six-run lead, come back for win

Published on April 22, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - In a series that saw the Myrtle Beach Pelicans give up nearly 40 runs and over 40 hits, a final seesaw battle between the Pelicans and Kinston Indians saw the Birds say to their four-game losing streak: no more. The Pelicans claimed an 9-8 victory to avoid a series sweep

After allowing a first inning run for the third time in as many games in this series, the Pelicans unleashed some offensive frustration and unloaded on Kinston starter Zach Putnam in the first. Seven straight Myrtle Beach hitters ripped hits off Putnam to open the inning, the first six singles and then a triple by Quentin Davis. All seven of those hitters would score with Davis driving in two. Freddie Freeman, Cody Johnson, Donell Linares and Benji Johnson all contributed RBI singles as the Birds plated six before recording an out. Chad Lundahl added an RBI of his own as Myrtle Beach outscored and outhit its total from the previous two games of the series in the first inning of game three.

After an offensive-laden first, things quieted down for a while with each team sending just one over the minimum to the plate in the second and third innings. Kinston got two in the fourth to cut the margin down. Lucas Montero doubled leading off the inning, and Richard Martinez traded places with him, doubling from the next spot in the order. After advancing to third on an Adam Davis groundout, Martinez scored on a Tim Fedroff sacrifice fly to make it a 7-3 game.

Then came the sixth and a comeback as disheartening as the Pelicans could have faced. Kinston's Davis reached to lead off the frame, getting to second on a throwing error charged to Pelicans third baseman Robert Marcial who entered the game as a defensive substitution after Linares left with an injury he suffered in the third inning. Back-to-back walks to Fedroff and Cord Phelps loaded the bases, and Lonnie Chisenhall crushed his second home run in as many days to tie the score and bring the K-Tribe all the way back from their 7-1 deficit. Marcial committed his second error of the inning with Matt McBride at the plate, another throwing miscue that allowed McBride to reach second. With two outs, Lucas Montero singled home McBride to put Kinston back on top 8-7.

Yet in the seventh, the Pelicans would fight back against Kinston reliever Jonathan Holt (1-1). Michael Fisher kicked off the frame by reaching on an error charged, ironically enough, to Chisenhall. Freeman doubled right behind him, putting runners at second and third. After an intentional walk to Cody Johnson, Randy Gress, who entered as a defensive substitution for Marcial at third, placed a textbook grounder to the right side to score the tying run. With runners at second and third again, Benji Johnson hit a ground ball to Chisenhall at third. Freeman had strayed off the bag, leading Chisenhall to chase him back toward the bag before throwing to shortstop Ronald Rivas covering, but Freeman got in under the tag, allowing Johnson to reach easily. The bases now loaded Kinston went to the bullpen for lefty Heath Taylor. Holt was charged with two unearned runs in 1.1 innings while taking the loss. Matt Kennelly worked a four-pitch walk against Taylor to force home Freeman with the eventual game-winning run making the score 9-8.

Myrtle Beach left-hander Tommy Palica (2-0) earned the win with 1.1 shutout innings, allowing just one hit while striking out three and not walking a man. Sidearmer Cory Gearrin picked up his fourth save in as many tries, working a scoreless ninth with two strikeouts.

The Pelicans head out on the road for just their second road series of the year starting tomorrow night against the Salem Red Sox. The four-game set wraps up on Sunday afternoon, and the Pelicans return home Monday, April 27 for the first of a six-game homestand against the Lynchburg Hillcats and Salem Red Sox. Tickets are available for the Pelicans' next homestand by contacting the Pelicans box office at (843)918-6000 or by checking out the Tickets page at MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

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Carolina League Stories from April 22, 2009


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