First Place Pelicans Host Weekend Set

Published on August 20, 2009 under American Association (AA)
Pensacola Pelicans News Release


SITE: Jim Spooner Field at Pelican Park in Pensacola, FL (August 21-23, 2009)

TIME: 6:35 p.m. Central Time on Friday, 6:05 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday

ABOUT THE SERIES:

The Pelicans are on the hunt for their first playoff appearance since 2005: currently leading the South Division by 3.5 games, the Pelicans will face the last-place El Paso Diablos. El Paso is nine games out of first with ten to play; in essence the Diablos could be mathematically eliminated with two losses in this series. The Diablos have lost their last seven games in a row, while Pensacola has won six of their last ten. The Pelicans' magic number to clinch is seven: every time the Pelicans win or the second-place team loses, the number drops.

Pensacola is coming off a must-win game against Shreveport-Bossier, and the Pelicans delivered. After losing the first two games to the Captains by a combined score of 12-2, the Pelicans rallied when they had to, knocking off the Captains 10-2. After playing their last six games on the road, the Pelicans return home for this three game set against the Diablos.

El Paso is fighting for survival in the South Division. After being swept by the Pelicans last weekend, the Diablos did no better against Fort Worth earlier this week. The Diablos will look to save face in Pensacola this weekend. However, the season-series currently stands in Pensacola's favor, 10-5. The X(ex)Factor is Clegg Snipes, who pitched for the Pelicans earlier this year and will start for El Paso on Sunday.

WHO TO WATCH:

Pensacola: Francisco Leandro -OF- Leandro is hitting .396 against El Paso this season, and is hitting .350 in his last ten games. Leandro also has a strong sense of the zone, leading the team with 71 walks for a .428 OBP.

Chase Burch -IF- This All-Star rookie went 8-15 in the last El Paso series a week ago, bringing his average to .453 against the Diablos this season. Burch is the third best hitter in the league with a .345 average, second in on-base percentage (.446), and fourth in slugging (.493). His eight home runs rank 2nd on the Pelicans.

El Paso: Kennard Bibbs -OF- This speed demon has not only robbed 28 bases, but he's a perfect 5-5 against Pelicans catchers. Bibbs leads all Diablos with a .319 batting average and his 57 walks top the team too.

Jeff Vincent -IF- Vincent is a potent weapon against the Pelicans, hitting .324 and slugging .541 with a homer, a double, and a triple in nine games.

DAY PENSACOLA PELICANS EL PASO DIABLOS

Friday, August 21 Kevin Cooper RHP (1-0, 4.50 ERA) Josh Neitz RHP (5-3, 4.93 ERA)

Saturday, August 22 Dane DeValk RHP (6-3, 3.68 ERA) Justin Mallett RHP (5-4, 3.68 ERA)

Sunday, August 21 Randy Beam LHP (9-7, 4.56 ERA) Clegg Snipes RHP (2-6, 5.28 ERA)

Starting Pitchers Subject To Change

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American Association Stories from August 20, 2009


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