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Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Myrtle Beach Pelicans Game Notes: May 22 at Frederick

May 22, 2019 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


Today, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans continue both their 11-game road trip and four-game series against the Frederick Keys (a Baltimore Orioles affiliate) with game three of the set at 7:00 p.m. This evening, RHP Alex Lange (1-6, 10.88 ERA) starts for the Birds against RHP Cameron Bishop (0-2, 3.67 ERA). Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on MyrtleBeachPelicans.com/Broadcast, TuneIn and the MiLB First Pitch app.

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BIRDS DOWN KEYS IN HIGH-SCORING SERIES OPENER

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were downed on Tuesday night by the Frederick Keys 6-5 thanks to a pair of three-run homers from Harry Grove Stadium. In the second inning, the Keys' Austin Hays and J.C. Escarra both hit three-run bombs to take a 6-0 lead. Tyler Payne then came back with a three-run home run of his own for the Pelicans in the top of the third to cut the deficit to 6-3. In the ninth, the Birds scored a pair on a Kevonte Mitchell RBI double and a Carlos Sepulveda RBI single, but it was not enough. Ryan Lawlor struck out five in 2.1 innings of scoreless relief. Javier Assad's (2-4) scoreless inning streak was stopped after 23.0 runless frames in a row thanks to the Hays blast in the third inning.

LAYING THE LUMBER

The Pelicans have showed off their power this season, especially over their last few games. After another home run on Tuesday, the Pelicans have had five different players hit a home run in the last three games (Kevonte Mitchell, Wladimir Galindo, Cam Balego, Miguel Amaya and Tyler Payne). Over their last 11 games (since 5/11), they have hit 11 home runs, which is the most in the league during that span. They have now homered in three-straight games for the first time in the 2019 campaign. In 2018, the Birds hit a franchise-low 55 home runs. At their current pace, the Pelicans are projected to hit 76 home runs, still be fewer than 2017 (101) and 2016 (90).

BETTER KEEP THOSE ARMS WARM

There is no doubt that the pitching staff has helped to keep the Birds alive this season. When a Myrtle Beach starter has gone at least five innings, the Birds are 15-13. When the Pelicans receive a quality start, they are a strong 7-1. While the bullpen has struggled at times this season - they have allowed at least one run in 37 of the 46 games this year - when they do not cede a tally, the Pelicans are 7-2.

MITCHELL BRINGING THE MUSCLE

Kevonte Mitchell has been a monster at the plate for the Pelicans over the last 11 games. During that stretch, he is hitting .316/.372/.711 with three doubles, four home runs and 11 RBIs. His four long balls have come over his last nine contests. After hitting just four home runs all of last season, he has seven this season, which leads the Pelicans and is tied for fifth in the league. His career high is 11 dingers that he blasted in 2017 with Low-A South Bend.

DIDN'T WE SEE HIM ON SPORTSCENTER?

On Monday, Pelicans starter Javier Assad was named the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week for the second-consecutive week. Assad made one start in the first week, earning a no-decision at Down East with six shutout, one-hit innings. After allowing a base hit to lead off the game from Yonny Hernandez, he only walked two batters the rest of the way. On Wednesday against Winston-Salem, he tied a career high with seven innings, facing the minimum while striking out nine, walking one and only allowing an infield single. Assad leads all Pelicans starters with a 3.16 ERA. His consecutive scoreless innings streak ended on Tuesday at 23.0 innings over his last five starts. He is also the first pitcher in 2019 to win the award in back-to-back weeks and the first one since Lynchburg's Justin Garza won the award twice in a row to open up the 2018 season.

BRINGING THE PAYNE

Tyler Payne has been on fire at the plate all season long for Myrtle Beach. On Saturday, he went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles, giving him nine on the season to tie Jimmy Herron for the team high this year and he hit his second home run this season in Tuesday's game. Payne has reached safely in 24 of his last 26 games, hitting .320/.387/.470. Payne is leads the Pelicans or is tied for the team lead in batting average (.308), hits (33) and doubles (nine). After playing in just 13 games in 2018 due to a hip injury, Payne has played 30 games in 2019 entering Wednesday's contest at Frederick.

CAMARGO CARRYING THE CARGO

Myrtle Beach reliever Jesus Camargo has been pitching well all season for the Birds. Camargo's 2.54 ERA leads the bullpen after his 3.1 innings on Monday. Following that outing, opponents are just hitting .180 off of the righty. Over his last nine outings, he has a 1.71 ERA (4 ER in 21.0 IP). Over that span, he has ceded just 12 hits, whiffing 16 and walking nine.

THAT MAN CAN FLY

Zach Davis swiped his 13th base of the season in Tuesday's loss to Frederick. He is now just one behind Salem's Jarren Duran (14) for the league lead in stolen bases. Davis stole 38 bases in 2018 to lead all Cubs farm hands.

PELICAN POINTS

After scoring just two runs from 5/15-5/18, the Birds have scored a combined 18 runs over their last three games...Myrtle Beach and Down East have both gone 5-4 over their last nine games, winning and losing on the same days, meaning the Birds have been 14.0 games back of the Southern Division lead each of the last nine days.

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