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CarL Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Kalmer's Go-Ahead Home Run Lifts Pelicans Over Fireflies

September 5, 2023 - Carolina League (CarL)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


Off a four-run seventh inning, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans grabbed the series-opener over the Columbia Fireflies 5-2 on Tuesday night. With the win, the Birds improved to 72-53 and 33-27 in the second half while the Fireflies dropped to 64-62 and 29-32 in the second half.

The big hit was a go-ahead three-run home run by Brian Kalmer (1-4, HR, 3 RBI) in the bottom of the seventh inning to push the Pelicans ahead. Rafael Morel (1-4, 2B, RBI, BB) provided the game-tying double in the seventh inning as well. Jefferson Rojas (2-4, BB) was the only Bird with a multi-hit game, smashing two singles.

Landon Ginn (2-0) earned the win with one earned run across two innings in relief. Jose Romero picked up the save with a scoreless ninth and one strikeout. The most impressive pitching performance of the night was Angel Hernandez, tossing three shutout frames out of the bullpen with five strikeouts.

Despite outhitting the Pelicans, the Fireflies were held to just two runs as Trevor Werner (1-2, 2B, RBI, 2 BB) and Daniel Vazquez (2-3, RBI, BB) brought home both runs. Columbia stranded seven and had two runners tagged out at home in the loss.

Chase Isbell (0-1) took the loss after surrendering three earned runs through 1 2/3 innings in relief. Jacob Widener gave up the home run to Kalmer but struck out three in his 1 1/3 relief innings.

Columbia came out of the gate with a run in the first inning. With one out and a runner on second, Werner lined a double down the left-field line to score the run and put the Fireflies on top 1-0.

The Pelicans responded in the bottom of the fourth after a wild pitch scored Rojas with two outs to even the game at one.

With two outs and a runner on second in the top of the seventh, Vazquez popped up to shallow left-center that fell in between three players as the run scored to put the Fireflies back in front.

The Pelicans came back and took control with a four-run seventh. With two outs in the inning and a runner on, Morel battled a nine-pitch at-bat and lined a double to the corner in right field as Leonel Espinoza came in to score the tying run. After Rojas walked, Kalmer lifted his eighth home run of the year to left field to put the Birds on top 5-2.

Myrtle Beach and Columbia will meet on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. for game two of the series.

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