Indians Blow Out Pelicans 21-6

June 8, 2007 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Kinston Indians News Release


KINSTON, NC - The K-Tribe erupted for 21 runs and 23 hits, both Carolina League-highs in 2007, during a 21-6 thrashing of Myrtle Beach before 1,853 fans at historic Grainger Stadium Friday night. The K-Tribe improved 38-22 and lowered their magic number to five to clinch the first half title in the Southern Division while the Pelicans (27-33) saw their three-game winning streak come to a crashing end.

Myrtle Beach actually held a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Isaiah Ka'aihue drew a bases-loaded walk, but the next three hitters would all strike out against Kinston starter Dan Cevette as he escaped further damage. The Indians then broke loose for the next 10 runs, including six at the expense of Myrtle Beach starter Jake Stevens in the bottom of the first. Kinston tied the game at 1-1 when Chris de la Cruz scored on a wild pitch, and Stevens then allowed a three-run homer to Chris Gimenez and a two-run shot to John Drennen before leaving after retiring just two batters. The Indians added four more in the second off Adam Stanley on solo home runs by Stephen Head and Max Ramirez and a two-run double by Josh Rodriguez to make it 10-1.

The Birds tallied twice in the third on Matt Young's RBI groundout and Eric Campbell's run-scoring single to left, but Kinston responded with four more in the third to make it 14-3. Jordan Schafer extended his hitting streak to seven games with an RBI single in the seventh, but in the bottom of the inning the Indians poured on seven more runs. Gimenez socked a grand slam off infielder Derrick Arnold and Wes Hodges followed with a solo shot to center to make it 21-4 as the Indians collected their fifth and sixth homers of the game, also league-highs for the year. Myrtle Beach finished the scoring with RBI singles from Jerry Verastegui and Elvis Andrus in the eighth.

Jim Deters (5-2) worked five innings of relief to get the win for Kinston while Stevens fell to 4-4 with the loss. Ka'aihue did extend his hitting streak to a season-high eight games with a third-inning double, while Schafer, Andrus, Campbell and Verastegui all had two hits.

Game three in this four-game series is set for 7 p.m. Saturday. Myrtle Beach will send left-hander Jonny Venters (0-1, 3.89 ERA) to the hill while Kinston counters with Sung-Wei Tseng (0-5, 3.90 ERA). The game broadcast begins at 6:45 p.m. with the RSC Equipment Rental pre-game show on ESPN Radio the Team (93.7 FM, 93.9 FM, and 1050 AM) and online at www.myrtlebeachpelicans.com. For more information, please call the Pelicans at (843) 918-6002.



Carolina League Stories from June 8, 2007


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