CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Morris, P-Nats Quiet Pelicans in Opener

Published on May 3, 2010 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Five days ago at BB&T Coastal Field, the Pelicans made quick work of A.J. Morris and the Potomac Nationals in a 10-5 victory behind Myrtle Beach starter Jose Ortegano. In the series opener of four at Pfitzner Stadium, it was the Nats right-hander and his bullpen turning the tables to stifle the Pelicans in a 4-1 victory.

Morris and Ortegano matched each other early, and the game was scoreless heading to the third. That's when the Nationals broke through to get on the board first. Steve Lombardozzi reached on an error charged to Pelicans third baseman Shayne Moody and went to second on a Wilberto Ortiz single. Two batters later, Michael Burgess brought Lombardozzi home with an RBI single to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead.

Potomac's next run came with its share of controversy. With one out in the fifth inning and Lombardozzi at third, center fielder Edgardo Baez smacked a groundball to third. Moody came home with his throw in plenty of time to get Lombardozzi, but the second baseman slid in under the tag of Pelicans catcher Jesus Sucre who was ejected in the ensuing argument. The run gave Potomac a 2-0 lead.

That lead held until the eighth when the Pelicans' best offensive threat arrived. Ryan Barba served up his second double of the night, a carbon copy of his third inning two-bagger, going down the right field line to lead off the frame. He moved to third when Cole Miles reached on an infield single back to the mound. With runners at the corners, Gary Cathcart went to his bullpen for the second time on the night, summoning right-hander Cole Kimball who did his job to wriggle out of the jam. Kimball induced a sacrifice fly from Yoel Campusano to score Barba before retiring catcher Matt Kennelly, who entered the game after Sucre's ejection, and Gerardo Avila to end the threat.

The P-Nats put the game out of reach by responding with two runs in the bottom of the eighth. Robby Jacobsen led off with a double to right field and went to third on a Dan Nelson bunt single. The pair later scored to provide Potomac with insurance it wouldn't end up needing as the Pelicans could only put one on the basepaths in the ninth.

Ortegano (1-3) took the Myrtle Beach loss by allowing two runs, one earned, over four and two-thirds. Morris (1-2) cruised through five and two-thirds for his first win of the season, shutting out the Pelicans on two hits with five strikeouts to counter one walk. On the 28th in Myrtle Beach, Morris exited after four innings and took the loss after allowing five Pelicans runs, though just two were earned, on four hits.

This four-game series continues tomorrow with an afternoon affair in Woodbridge. The Pelicans will send right-hander Randall Delgado (0-2, 4.25) to oppose Potomac southpaw Evan Bronson at 12:05 PM.

The Pelicans return to Myrtle Beach following this seven-game road trip with seven at home starting Monday, May 10 against the Kinston Indians. Single game and season tickets, flex books, and mini-plans, are available now through the Pelicans Box Office by calling (843) 918-6000 or (877) 918-TIXX or by visiting the Tickets page at MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

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Carolina League Stories from May 3, 2010


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