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CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Myrtle Beach Pelicans Game Notes: July 24 at Frederick

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


Today, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans continue a three-game set against the Frederick Keys (a Baltimore Orioles affiliate) with the middle game beginning at 7:00 p.m. This evening, RHP Alexander Vargas (2-2, 3,71 ERA) starts for the Birds against LHP Cameron Bishop (0-8, 5.14 ERA). Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on MyrtleBeachPelicans.com/Broadcast, TuneIn and the MiLB First Pitch app.

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BIRDS FALL IN BACK-AND-FORTH GAME WITH KEYS

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans could not hold off the Frederick Keys in the series opener on Tuesday from Harry Grove Stadium in a 3-2 defeat. The Keys took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth on a throwing error from Wladimir Galindo, but the Pelicans came right back in the sixth and scored a pair of runs to take the lead. Grant Fennell coaxed a bases-loaded walk and Aramis Ademan knocked in a tally with an RBI ground out to first to make it 2-1. In the bottom of the seventh, the Keys came back with two more runs on a two RBI infield single from Zach Jarrett. In the loss, Jack Patterson fired 4.1 innings, allowing just one unearned run, to increase his streak of not allowing an earned run to 30.0 innings.

THE 'PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD

The Pelicans bullpen has helped them to a strong beginning to the second half of the season. On the year, the bullpen has a 3.83 ERA, but over their last 14 games (since July 9), the 'pen has a 2.08 ERA (10 ER over 43.1 IP) and has struck out 60 batters while only walking 11 in 43.1 innings. The Birds are 8-6 over those last 14 contests.

NEVER SKIP ARM DAY

The Pelicans have dominated on the mound over their last 21 games, allowing just 50 earned runs over 174.2 innings (2.58 ERA). That ERA ranks first in the Carolina League over the last 21 contests (in which the Pelicans are 11-10). Paul Richan, Ryan Kellogg, Erich Uelmen, Erick Leal, Jack Patterson, Javier Assad, Jeffrey Passantino and Alexander Vargas were strong in their starts, allowing just 31 earned runs collectively over 119.1 combined frames (2.34 ERA), striking out 104. Today's starter, Vargas, has two quality starts on the season. In his last outing, Vargas threw 3.2 innings, allowing one run, but his outing was cut short when rain suspended the game against Carolina in the bottom of the fourth inning. He only threw 53 pitches in that start.

LET'S CHECK IN ON THAT IMPROVEMENT

After a tough first half in which the Pelicans finished a franchise-worst 21-46, the Pelicans have turned things around in the second half of the season. In the first half offensively, the Pelicans were ninth out of 10 teams in the Carolina League in batting average (.220), runs per game (3.6), and OPS (.635) while placing eighth in home runs (33). In the second half, the Birds are seventh in average (.241), fifth in both runs per game (4.1) and OPS (.693) and second in home runs (22). From the mound, in the first half, Myrtle Beach was eighth in ERA (4.49) and WHIP (1.42) while, in the second half, they are fifth in ERA (3.40) and second in WHIP (1.18).

I CAN GRANT YOU THREE WISHES...

Grant Fennell became the first Pelican this season to collect multiple hits in four-straight games, doing so from July 17-21. In addition to that, he is riding a career-best six-game hitting streak, batting .524 (11-for-21)/.565/.667 with three doubles, three RBIs, two walks and four runs scored. Over that span, he has raised his average from .215 to .246 and his OPS from .622 to .683. The former undrafted free agent is hitting .326/.400/.466 after the All-Star Break and has crushed the ball away from TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark to the tune of a .878 OPS as opposed to a .503 OPS at home. That home OPS includes going 5-for-11 on the most recent homestand.

SEPULVEDA AMONG THE ELITE

Pelicans second baseman Carlos Sepulveda has been one of the best defensive players in the Carolina League this season. Over 272 total chances, Sepulveda has just committed one error. Among Carolina Leaguers in any position who have played at least 58 games, Sepulveda's .996 fielding percentage leads the league. He is one of two everyday second basemen in Minor League Baseball to have committed just one error and he leads all Carolina League second basemen with 46 double plays turned. The 22-year-old missed part of 2017 and all of the 2018 season with a shoulder injury before returning to the diamond in 2019.

WOULD YOU PLEASE LEGGO MY BALEGO

Cam Balego has been a hot hitter for the Pelicans in the second half of the season. Since the break, he is hitting .288 with an .874 OPS in 31 games, but his most impressive stats have come over his last 13 games. During that stretch, he is hitting .324/.528/.514 with a double, two home runs and five RBIs. The third baseman has walked 15 times and struck out just four times in those 13 contests. He only has two strikeouts over his last 12 games as well and has walked multiple times in four different games.

PELICAN POINTS

July has seen some big performances for the Pelicans. Grant Fennell and Miguel Amaya are both hitting over .300 in the month, while the Pelicans .247 average is their highest of any month this season. On the hill, Paul Richan (1.69 ERA) and Erich Uelmen (1.66 ERA) both dominated in four July outings.

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