Magic Number to Claim Second Half Title at Two

Published on August 27, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release

Myrtle Beach, S.C. - The Wilmington Blue Rocks scored eight unanswered runs in the final two innings to salvage the series with an 11-6 win in front of 2,692 fans at BB&T Coastal Field. The Pelicans remain one win shy of equaling the franchise record of 88 set back in 2000.

The Pelicans soared to an early 4-0 lead after two innings of play. In the first, Brandon Hicks reached on an error by Josh Johnson. Two batters later, Ernesto Mejia hit a sharp grounder to third that Johnson misplayed to allow Hicks to score. In the second inning, Concepcion Rodriguez and Jon Mark Owings recorded back-to-back singles. Then, Josh Johnson committed his third error in a matter of two innings, allowing Rodriguez to score. Later in the inning, Tyler Flowers connected on a two run double to right-center field to score Travis Jones and Owings.

The lead and the outing for Ryne Reynoso took a turn for the worst in the top of the fourth. Paulo Orlando started the frame with a line drive home run into Land Shark Landing. One pitch later, Cody Strait hit a towering home run over Land Shark Landing. Later in the inning, after Reynoso was replaced by Jaye Chapman, Jeff Howell hit an RBI single to score Brad Correll to cut the deficit to 4-3.

The Pelicans answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth on another two run double off the wall in left field by Tyler Flowers to stretch the lead to 6-3.

In the eighth, Jeff Howell connected on a two run homer over Land Shark Landing to cut the Pelicans lead to 6-5 heading into the ninth.

The Pelicans lost complete control of the game in the ninth. After closer Nick Fellman retired the first two batters, Correll hit a single to right field. Then, Jeff Bianchi reached on a throwing error by Randy Gress, which allowed the tying run to score. The Blue Rocks went onto score five more runs to take an 11-6 lead. Howell and Ortiz each had big run scoring hits.

The Pelicans play game one against the Kinston Indians on Friday, August 29th at 7:05 p.m.

For tickets to the final regular season series or the upcoming playoffs, call the Pelicans Box Office at 843-918-6000 or visit the Pelicans online at MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

Carolina League Stories from August 27, 2008

• Magic Number to Claim Second Half Title at Two - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Kinston Wins Opener, Rain Takes the Nightcap - Winston-Salem Dash
• Six Two-Out Runs In The Ninth; Magic Number At Two - Wilmington Blue Rocks
• One bad inning dooms P-Nats - Potomac Nationals
• K-Tribe Wins Game One of Double Header - Kinston Indians
• Fifth-inning single parade propels Avs - Salem RidgeYaks
• Keys and Hillcats Rained Out - Frederick Keys
• Potomac Nationals Game Notes - Potomac Nationals
• Local Resident to Donate over $2,000 to Special Olympics of North Carolina - Winston-Salem Dash
• Valichka To Make Harry Grove Debut As Member Of The Keys - Frederick Keys
• Negrych Named To Carolina League Postseason All-Star Team - Hill City Howlers
• Keys Pitcher Jake Arrieta Named Carolina League Pitcher Of The Year - Frederick Keys
• Blue Rocks' Dickerson Honored With All-Star Nod - Wilmington Blue Rocks
• Pelicans Game Notes - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Shelby III and Retherford Honored by the Carolina League - Winston-Salem Dash
• Potomac Nationals set playoff game times - Potomac Nationals
• Ori, Parraz honored by Carolina League - Salem RidgeYaks

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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