Sports stats

CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Myrtle Beach Pelicans Game Notes: April 24 vs. Carolina

April 24, 2019 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


Today, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans continue a three-game series at home against the Carolina Mudcats (a Milwaukee Brewers affiliate) with first pitch at 7:05 p.m. In the second contest, RHP Oscar De La Cruz (1-0, 0.00 ERA) makes his second start for the Birds against RHP Noah Zavolas (1-1, 2.81 ERA). Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on MyrtleBeachPelicans.com/Broadcast, TuneIn and the MiLB First Pitch app.

--

PELICANS PITCHING FALTERS, BIRDS DROP SERIES OPENER

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans fell behind early and could not come back in a 7-3 loss to the Carolina Mudcats on Tuesday from TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. The Muddies took a 3-0 lead after the top of the third, but the Pelicans found the board in the bottom of the third on a Carlos Sepulveda sac fly, scoring Zach Davis. A Jhonny Bethencourt RBI single in the fourth made it a one-run game, but Carolina extended the lead with a solo homer. A Mario Feliciano two-run blast put the game away in the seventh.

RUN, PELICANS, RUN

Following their two swipes on Tuesday, the Pelicans pace the Carolina League with 24 stolen bases on the year. The last time the Birds led the league in steals was their last season as a Rangers affiliate in 2014. That year, they swiped 154 bags. Zach Davis leads the way with five stolen bases while D.J. Wilson, Carlos Sepulveda and Jimmy Herron are all tied for second with four apiece. Davis' five stolen bags are tied for second in the league.

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 19 games, the Birds starter has finished the fifth inning 10 times. In those starts, they own a 3.40 ERA (19 ER over 50.1 IP). In the other nine starts that have not reached the end of the fifth, the Birds' ERA is 10.34 (36 ER over 31.1 IP). Bryan Hudson (4), Paul Richan (2), Luis Lugo (2), Javier Assad (1) and Oscar De La Cruz (1) have made the 10 five-inning starts.

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 .389 (7-for-18)/.478/.667 with 2 2B, a HR, 8 RBIs, 4 RS and 4 BB in six 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 15G. In that span, he is hitting .269/.344/.269 with 7 RBIs, 7 BB, 2 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.

FEELING THE PAYNE

The Pelicans backup catcher, Tyler Payne, has been swinging a hot bat for the Birds. Over a six-game hitting streak, he is hitting .348 (8-for-23) with 3 2B, a HR, 3 RBIs, 3 RS and a BB. Before the streak started, Payne began 1-for-7 at the plate.

DAVIS MAKING HIS MARK AT THE PLATE, BASES

Pelicans outfielder Zach Davis has been hot as well. Over his last seven games, he is batting .450 (9-for-20) with a 2B, 3 3B, 2 RBIs, 6 RS, 5 BB and 5-for-5 in stolen bases. A year ago, his 38 stolen bases between the Midwest and Carolina Leagues were the most of any Cubs minor leaguer. His five this season are tied for second in the league and second in the organization behind D.J. Artis' six stolen bases for Low-A South Bend.

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 in 22.0 IP). On the other hand, in losses, the Pelicans' bullpen owns a 5.73 ERA (38 ER over 59.2 IP).

CLOSE RIVALRY

The Pelicans and the Mudcats have played some close games over the last few seasons. The 7-3 loss on Tuesday was the most lopsided defeat for the Birds against Carolina since the a 7-0 thumping on 5/3/18. Since the Pelicans became a Cubs affiliate in 2015, 73 of the 99 meetings (74 percent) between the two have been decided by three runs or fewer. The Birds are 34-39 in those contests. In one-run games, the Pelicans are 17-18, they are 9-12 in two-run contests and 8-9 in the head-to-head games decided by three runs.

BATS WARMING UP

Through the first 13 games of the season, the Pelicans scored a league-worst 39 runs (3.0/game). Over the last six games, the offense has picked it up. Combined, the Pelicans have scored 26 runs (4.3 runs/game) on 47 hits (7.8 hits/game). Out of those 47 knocks, 18 have been for extra bases. In the last six games combined, the Birds team slash line has risen from .183/.285/.264 to .208/.304/.318.

PELICAN POINTS

The Pelicans' 16 home games in April are the most home contests in the opening month for the Birds since 2006 when they played 17. Myrtle Beach is 3-9 on the Grand Strand so far in 2019.

Check out the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Statistics



Carolina League Stories from April 24, 2019


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.

Other Recent Myrtle Beach Pelicans Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central