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CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

First-Inning Run Holds up for Keys

April 13, 2011 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


FREDERICK, MD - Joe Wieland's first night in a starting role under the lights of the Carolina League was outstanding. Unfortunately for his Pelicans, Jacob Rasner's was just a hair better.

Wieland surrendered a first-inning run to the Frederick Keys before blanking the home team through the remainder of his five innings, but his offense couldn't break through behind him as Frederick handed the Pelicans their first shutout defeat of the year 2-0 Wednesday night at Harry Grove Stadium.

Ranked as the 22nd-best overall prospect in the Rangers system by Baseball America, Wieland's first inning was emblematic of the positive traits evident in reviews of the right-hander. After a leadoff bunt single by Kyle Hudson and RBI double one batter later by Steve Bumbry, Wieland settled down, showing the polished form he's become known for in his time in the Rangers ranks. The Reno, Nevada native struck out eight batters over his next four composed innings of work and issued just one walk, stranding two Keys on the basepaths in the third and fifth innings. Wieland (0-1) whiffed five Frederick hitters in the last six outs he recorded.

Opposing him, however, Carolina League veteran Jacob Rasner, wearing the black and orange of the Keys after three seasons in varying capacities for the Winston-Salem Warthogs and Dash, kept the Pelicans from stomping the plate. Rasner pitched with traffic while matching Wieland's five sparkling innings but never let a Pelicans player around third base. Myrtle Beach put up its biggest threat against the righty in the top of the first when Leury Garcia and Chris McGuiness stood at third and first with one out. Rasner (1-0), however, induced a 6-3 double-play groundout from third baseman Mike Olt to end the opening charge, and he settled in the rest of the way.

The Pelicans left single men on against Frederick's starter in the third and fourth as well as leaving a runner aboard in the sixth and eighth versus Dan Klein.

Still trailing by just a single run, the Pelicans watched the Keys extend their lead in the bottom of the eighth when, with two outs, Tyler Townsend connected with his first homer of the year out to right field to double the advantage and add some breathing room at 2-0.

Jared Prince worked a two-out walk against Frederick closer Sean Gleason in the ninth, but Gleason (S, 1) was able to get a first-pitch groundout to first base from Travis Adair to end the night.

Prince's walk marked the only time in 21 combined plate appearances that a batter from the fourth through ninth spots in the Pelicans order reached base. Those six hitters combined to go 0-20 with six strikeouts and one double play. McGuiness, the lone bright spot for Myrtle Beach at the plate, broke out of some early-season struggles with a three-hit night, singling twice and doubling. He was left at second base representing the tying run in the fourth and sixth innings.

Thursday night, the Pelicans go for the series victory in the rubber game of this three-game set. With Opening Day starter Neil Ramirez's Wednesday promotion to Triple-A Round Rock for a spot start, the Pelicans will send lefty Chad Bell to the hill for the series finale. Bell (1-0, 0.00) picked up the win in Sunday's finale with the Wilmington Blue Rocks at BB&T Coastal Field. He'll be opposed by Frederick lefty Nathan Moreau (0-0, 0.00) with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

The Birds return home on Monday, April 19 for the first of a brief three-game homestand against the Winston-Salem Dash. Monday night is Kids Eat Free night with all kids ages 12 and under receiving a coupon for a free hot dog, chips, and drink with their admission. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the BB&T Coastal Field Box office, the Tickets page at MyrtleBeachPelicans.com, or by calling (843)918-6000 or (877)918-TIXX.

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