CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Missed Opportunities Doom Pelicans in 3-2 Loss

Published on April 9, 2007 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


WINSTON-SALEM - One day earlier, two runs were enough for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans to earn their third win of the season. 24 hours later, however, two runs left the Birds one run short.

The Winston-Salem Warthogs did just enough offensively Monday night, scoring twice in the bottom of the third inning for what held up as the winning rally in a 3-2 win over Myrtle Beach before 716 fans at Ernie Shore Field. The Warthogs improved to 2-1 on the year while the Pelicans dropped to 3-2.

Myrtle Beach opened the scoring thanks to a two-run double by J.D. Roberts in the top of the second, but starter Jairo Cuevas was unable to keep the momentum in the visiting dugout. Cuevas started the bottom of the second by walking Micah Schnurstein on four pitches, and by the time the inning ended the Warthogs had cut the lead in half despite not getting a ball out of the infield. After Schnurstein's walk Victor Mercedes reached on an infield single with one away, Cuevas balked both runners up 90 feet, walked Javier Castillo to load the bases, and then hit number-nine hitter Ryan McCarthy with an errant 1-2 curveball to force in the run.

After the Pelicans left Elvis Andrus stranded at third base in the top of the third, Winston-Salem took the lead for good in the bottom of the inning. Aaron Cunningham led off with a single and then stole second base, and David Cook brought him home with an RBI double to left. Two batters later, Cole Armstrong smoked a two-base hit off the wall in center field to plate Cook and put Winston-Salem up 3-2. Myrtle Beach had a good chance to retie the game in the fourth but left runners on the corners, and then couldn't capitalize on a leadoff single by Matt Young in the eighth and left him at third base as well.

Derek Rodriguez (1-0) was far from dominant, but made the pitches he needed to in earning the win. Rodriguez allowed two runs and scattered six hits in five innings, with one walk and four strikeouts. Cuevas (0-1) had an up-and-down night, allowing three runs and five hits in four innings. He walked two batters and hit two batters, but also struck out seven to set a season-high for any pitcher in the Carolina League. Brian Omogrosso recorded the final six outs for his first save. Andrus collected two hits and also reached on an error to pace the Pelicans offense.

Game two in this four-game series is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, with Myrtle Beach's James Parr (0-1, 1.80 ERA) opposing Winston-Salem's Justin Cassel (4-3, 3.68 ERA in 2006), who will make his first start of the season. 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.

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Carolina League Stories from April 9, 2007


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