CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Blue Rocks Silence Pelicans

July 22, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Squeezing out a 1-0 win in the series opener, the Pelicans got by with little offensive production. With their bats again quiet in the middle contest of a three-game set with the Wilmington Blue Rocks, the Pelicans weren't so fortunate on the defensive end.

The Pelicans committed five errors, tying a season high in that category, and all but three Wilmington runs were unearned in a 7-0 Blue Rocks victory in front of 5,329 at BB&T Coastal Field.

Scoreless through two innings, the Blue Rocks got on the board in the third when Johnny Giavotella doubled and later scored on a fielding error by Pelicans' first baseman Ernesto Mejia. In the fourth, the defensive struggles continued for the Birds. Chase Fontaine drove home a run with a single, and Derrick Robinson brought home a pair with one of his own. With two outs and runners at the corners, Chris Shehan misplayed a flyball to right field, allowing Robinson to score with the fourth Wilmington run of the night. Robinson, the Carolina League steals leader, swiped three bags on the night.

Blue Rocks' starter Jason Godin dealt for six innings, shutting out the Pelicans on four hits. Godin (3-0) gave way to the Wilmington bullpen, and two relievers combined on three hitless innings. For the Pelicans, starter Richard Sullivan failed to complete five frames for the first time all year. Sullivan (2-7) matched his season high by allowing five runs, but only three were earned. The southpaw lost his fifth straight start. A seventh-inning throwing error by Robert Marcial opened the door to two more Blue Rocks runs off reliever Benino Pruneda.

The Pelicans did not get a multi-hit performance on the night and committed more errors (five) than they had hits (four). Myrtle Beach went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

Thursday night's rubber match features the second 2009 rehab start for Atlanta Braves right-hander Tim Hudson as he continues his road back to the big leagues following 2008 "Tommy John" surgery. Hudson (0-0, 0.00) tossed two hitless innings against the Winston-Salem Dash on Sunday. The two-time big league all-star will oppose southpaw Danny Duffy (7-3, 3.40). Tickets are available at the BB&T Coastal Field box office, by calling (843)918-6000 or by visiting the Tickets page at MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

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Carolina League Stories from July 22, 2009


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