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CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Myrtle Beach Pelicans Game Notes: April 21 at Lynchburg

April 21, 2019 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


Today, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans look to sweep a four-game set with the Lynchburg Hillcats (a Cleveland Indians affiliate) with first pitch at 3:00 p.m. In the finale, RHP Alex Lange (0-2, 15.43 ERA) makes his third start for the Birds against LHP Adam Scott (1-1, 3.86 ERA). Coverage begins at 2:45 p.m. on MyrtleBeachPelicans.com/Broadcast, TuneIn and the MiLB First Pitch app.

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BIRDS SWEEP TWIN BILL, RUN WINNING STREAK TO FOUR

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans broomed the Lynchburg Hillcats in Saturday's doubleheader, winning game one 4-2 and the second game 4-1 at City Stadium. In the primary game, the Pelicans struck for a pair of solo home runs from Jimmy Herron and Miguel Amaya. Paul Richan (2-0) earned the win in his five innings, only allowing one run while whiffing three. Game two featured a two-RBI game from Cam Balego and strong pitching performances from Javier Assad (four innings, one run) and Erling Moreno (1-2) (three scoreless innings). The Birds have now won four straight games.

BEST BACKSTOPS IN BASEBALL?

Both Miguel Amaya and Tyler Payne have controlled the running game brilliantly to start 2019. Among MiLB and MLB teams with at least 25 stolen bases attempted against them, the Pelicans rank second with a 48.0 percent caught-stealing percentage (12-for-25). Only the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (13-for-26, 50 percent) have a better rate than the Birds. Amaya has gunned down 8-of-15 potential base stealers while Payne has pegged out 4-of-10. In 2018, the Pelicans (behind catchers Jhonny Pereda, P.J. Higgins, Tyler Alamo, Michael Cruz and Tyler Pearson) finished first in the Carolina League in caught stealings (67) and fifth in caught-stealing percentage (36.0 percent). The league-average for caught-stealing percentage in 2018 was 34.2 percent.

RUN, PELICANS, RUN

After a season-best six steals in Wednesday's game against Frederick and two more stolen bases in this series against Lynchburg, the Pelicans now lead the Carolina League with 22 stolen bases on the year. The last time the Birds led the league in steals was their last season as a Ranger affiliate in 2014. That year, they swiped 154 bags. At the current pace, while unlikely, the Pelicans are projected to steal 181 bases.

THREE IS A MAGIC NUMBER, BUT SO IS FIVE

Going five innings seems to be the key for Pelicans starters in the beginning of the season. In the first 17 games, the Birds starter has finished the fifth inning nine times. In those starts, they own a 2.97 ERA (15 ER over 45.1 IP). In the other eight starts that have not reached the end of the fifth, the Birds' ERA is 9.87 (30 ER over 27.1 IP). Paul Richan (2), Bryan Hudson (3), Luis Lugo (2), Javier Assad (1) and Oscar De La Cruz (1) have made the nine five-inning starts.

THE PELICANS DIDN'T SKIP ARM DAY

Over the four-game winning streak, the Pelicans pitching staff has been brilliant. Over that span, the Birds have a 1.59 ERA (6 ER in 34 IP) and have outscored their opponents 22-6. The starters own a 1.86 ERA (4 ER over 19.1 IP) while recording 13 strikeouts and only walking six.

LEGGO MY BALEGO

Since joining the club from Short Season Low A Eugene on April 16, Cam Balego has been an offensive force. The Pittsburgh native went 0-for-3 in his debut, but since, has hit .417 (5-for-12)/.467/.833 with 2 2B, a HR, 7 RBIs, 3 RS and 2 BB in three games. He already leads the Pelicans with three multi-RBI games. A season ago, Balego just hit .233/.296/.287 with Low-A South Bend in 38 games.

SUPER SEPULVEDA

The Pelicans second baseman, Carlos Sepulveda, is on a tear over his last 12G. In that span, he is hitting .286/.380/.286 with six RBIs, 7 BB, a SB and 4 RS. He tied a career high with a three-hit game on Thursday. Before missing the entire 2018 season with an injury, Sepulveda played in 28 games with the Birds in 2017.

BRINGING UP THE BACK END

In the Pelicans' six wins this season, the Birds' bullpen has been the key. In wins, the bullpen has a 0.81 ERA (2 ER is 22.0). On the other hand, in losses, the Pelicans' bullpen owns a 6.10 ERA (35 ER over 51.2 IP).

BATS WARMING UP

Through the first 13 games of the season, the Pelicans scored a league-worst 39 runs (3.0/game). Over the four-game winning streak, the offense has been brilliant. Combined between a 5-3 win over Frederick, a 9-0 thumping of Lynchburg and 4-1 and 4-2 wins on Saturday, the Pelicans have scored 22 runs on 34 hits. Out of those 34 knocks, 15 have been for extra bases. In the last four games combined, the Birds team slash line has risen from .183/.285/.264 to .208/.306/.322.

PELICAN POINTS

The Pelicans have a couple streaks going. Jimmy Herron is on a 14G on-base streak and Tyler Payne is on a 6G hitting streak and Luke Reynolds is also on a 5G hitting streak...The Pelicans have won four straight games for the first time since they won six straight from 7/10-7/16/2018... Saturday marked the first doubleheader the Birds swept since brooming Wilmington in a twin bill on 8/19/2017.

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