Columbia Fireflies Game Notes 7.21 at Myrtle Beach
July 21, 2023 - Carolina League (CarL)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
The Fireflies continue their series with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans tonight at Pelicans Ballpark at 7:05 pm. LHP Hunter Patteson (0-0, 0.00 ERA) makes his Carolina League debut for the Fireflies and Myrtle Beach trots out RHP Grant Kipp (2-5, 2.97 ERA).
The Fireflies return home to end the month with a six-game set against the Carolina Mudcats July 25-30. The homestand will have our Marvel Defenders of the Diamond Night Saturday the 29 and will include a Cayden Wallace Hero Bobblehead courtesy of SAFE Federal Credit Union July 28. Tickets for the homestand are available at FirefliesTickets.com.
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COLUMBIA TAKES GAME 4-1 AFTER DELAY ON THE BEACH: The Columbia Fireflies withstood a one hour and 49 minute delay, but came out firing on all cylinders after the tarp came off as they beat Myrtle Beach 4-1 at Pelicans Ballpark Thursday night. Wilmin Candelario led off the seventh inning with a double to left-center. Next, Jean Ramirez bunted him to third and Candelario came home on a Scarlin Lebron wild pitch to give the Fireflies a 2-1 lead. The next inning, it was Lizandro Rodriguez who led the frame off with a double. He moved to third as Erick Pena reached on a throwing error and came around to score when Roger Leyton skied a sacrifice fly to right field, giving Columbia a 3-1 lead.
HITTING HERNANDEZ: Last night, Omar Hernandez roped an inside-the-park homer in the ninth to extend his hitting streak to nine games. The backstop is 12-36 (.333) on Columbia's longest hitting streak of the season. Javier Vaz was the last Fireflies player to have a longer streak, when he ended the 2022 season on an 11-game run.
STRUGGLING IN SCORING POSITION: Last night, the Fireflies struggles with runners in scoring position continued, as the team went 1-9 with runners threatening to score. Overall, the Fireflies are 4-46 (.087) since the All-Star Break when runners are at second or third base.
BREAK OUT THE RAY-O BREAD: Sunday, Oscar Rayo spun his first save in the Carolina League and the second save of his young career. The southpaw has a 2.06 ERA this season in what has mostly been a long-relief role--although he has also worked a few spot starts too. Sunday was his first save opportunity of the season, and he didn't disappoint, setting down Kannapolis 1-2-3 with a punchout.
FACE-OFF: The Fireflies have played six games with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans this season, all of which were at the start of May. The series was highlighted with Erick Pena's first two-homer game May 3 as the Fireflies took four of six at Segra Park. After the two teams parted ways, the Pelicans went on a tear and eventually became the Carolina League South Division First-Half Champions. If Columbia wins the South Division Second-Half Crown, this would be a playoff preview.
MASTERING MCKEEHAN: After earning a save July 20, McKeehan now has 11 saves, which leaves him tied with Allan Winans (2019) and Adonis Uceta (2017) for the second-most saves in franchise history. Alex Palsha has the most saves in a single year in Fireflies history. He recorded 14 in 2018. After twirling two scoreless innings last night, the southpaw has a 1.21 ERA this season. He also leads the club with seven wins this year.
THE CANDY MAN: Wilmin Candelario made his Fireflies debut in 2022, but after struggling at the plate and in the field, he was sent down to the Arizona Complex where Candelario learned to play corner outfield. The former shortstop was called up in June for Columbia as Omar Florentino hit the injured list. Although he's had limited opportunities to prove himself, the young outfielder has had a stellar week in Myrtle Beach. After entering Tuesday's game as a pinch hitter and going 2-2, he tallied another two hit game in a start last night. He's 4-6 with two doubles against Myrtle Beach.
Carolina League Stories from July 21, 2023
- Freddies Fall 10-4 to Greenjackets - Fredericksburg Nationals
- GreenJackets Take Win in Wild Friday (Saturday?) Contest - Augusta GreenJackets
- 'Cats Take Over First With Fourth Straight Victory - Carolina Mudcats
- RiverDogs Win 8-4, Improve to 5-1 on Road Trip - Charleston RiverDogs
- Birds Blanked by Fireflies 4-0 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Shorebirds' Comeback Effort Falls Short on Friday Night - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Fireflies Spin 10th Shutout of Season in 4-0 Win - Columbia Fireflies
- Hillcats Win in Shutout - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Columbia Fireflies Game Notes 7.21 at Myrtle Beach - Columbia Fireflies
- Red Sox Rake Past Woodies - Down East Wood Ducks
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