CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Mejia Breaks Giles' Doubles Record in Victory

Published on August 7, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


LYNCHBURG, VA - Myrtle Beach ran their win-streak to nine games with a 3-2 victory over the Lynchburg Hillcats in game one of a three-game series from Lynchburg City Stadium on Thursday night.

Pitching dominated early on as Pelicans' starter Scott Diamond and Hillcats' starter Micheal Crotta traded zeros through four innings. Crotta struck out six in the first four innings, while Diamond faced light adversity in the third, but worked around it to keep the game scoreless.

Crotta established a new season-high for strikeouts in a ballgame by freezing Phillip Britton to end a 1-2-3 fifth. Crotta retired 17 of the first 18 batters he faced.

Lynchburg broke through with the aid of a Pelicans error in the fifth. Jared Keel and Eddie Prasch contributed back-to-back singles to set the table, and a batter later James Barksdale rolled a ball to Robert Marcial at second base. As the Pelicans attempted to turn the double-play, the return throw from Randy Gress got away from Ernesto Mejia allowing Keel to come in with the game's first run.

The Pelicans finally got to Crotta (8-9) in the seventh as they took the lead with three consecutive doubles. Mejia started the rally by blistering a record-setting double off the batters-eye in center field. It marke Mejia's 41st two-bagger of the seasos, surpassing Marcus Giles who established the franchise record with 40 in 1999. Tyler Flowers then doubled in Mejia to tie the game and was doubled in by Concepcion Rodriguez to give the Pelicans the lead for the first time, 2-1.

Myrtle Beach added a run off of reliever Kevin Roberts to extend their lead in the eighth inning. With one out, Roberts walked Gorkys Hernandez, who promptly stole second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Jon Mark Owings then drove him in with a single to left field to give the Pelicans a 3-1 lead.

Diamond (11-1) ultimately worked seven sterling innings, allowing just five hits and one unearned run. He netted his 11th win of the season and won his eighth consecutive decision.

With the win, the Pelicans have won the season-series with the Hillcats, claiming their 11th victory. Myrtle Beach currently boasts the most wins in all of minor league baseball with 77 and are 11 shy of the franchise record (88) with 25 games to play.

The series continues with a scheduled double-header on Friday night. LHP Carlos Rivas will start game one for Myrtle Beach against RHP Brad Lincoln. Myrtle Beach will send LHP Jon Venters in game two against RHP Derek Antelo for Lynchburg.

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Carolina League Stories from August 7, 2008


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