CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Myrtle Beach Pelicans Game Notes

Published on June 18, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


Fresh off clinching the Carolina League's first-half Southern Division title and a postseason berth last night, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans host the Frederick Keys for the third of a four-game series. First pitch at BB&T Coastal Field is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

RHP Ryohei Tanaka (5-0, 1.82) at RHP Kennil Gomez (2-1, 2.25)

ABOUT LAST NIGHT...: The Pelicans clinched the Carolina League's Southern Division last night with their 6-5 win at home over Frederick and Kinston's 8-0 loss in Lynchburg. Leury Garcia reached and scored in each of the first three innings, including a two-run homer in the third to put the Birds ahead 6-1. Joe Wieland pitched great into the eighth, but he ran into some trouble after his throwing error started a three-run Keys rally that cut the lead to 6-5. Ryan Kelly recorded the last out of the eighth before Johan Yan worked a 1-2-3 ninth to nail down the win. About 15 minutes later the Lynchburg blowout ended and the first-half title became official.

PLAYOFFS?!: Yes, Jim Mora, the Pelicans are postseason bound for the first time since they won both Southern-Division half-season crowns in 2008. Skipper Jason Wood has led Myrtle Beach to the a playoff berth in his first half-season as a minor league manager. It's also the team's first half-season as a Texas Rangers affiliate.

MILLS CUP CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES PREVIEW?: With this weekend set at BB&T Coastal Field pitting Northern Division first-half champ Frederick against the Pelicans, it's possible that these two clubs could meet with it all on the line in September. Both teams would have to win their first-round series to set up the match-up.

LEAD-ING THE WAY: Shortstop Leury Garcia is loving life back in the leadoff spot. With his second straight three-hit game, he keyed the Pelicans' offense in the clincher last night. He cracked his second homer of the season, his first of the over-the-fence variety. He hit an inside-the-parker in Lynchburg on June 2. The catalyst has scored eight runs over his last four games and is batting .364 (20-55) over his last 12 contests.

ACE OF BASE: In the one downside of last night's clincher, Ryan Strausborger's 16-game hitting streak, the longest by a Carolina Leaguer this season, was snapped with an 0-for-3 night. The All-Star was able to extend his on-base streak to 29 games with a first-inning walk. That run began May 19 in Winston-Salem and is the longest run in the circuit this season. During his 16-game hitting streak, which began on June 1 in Frederick, the former Indiana State Sycamore batted .371 (26-70).

DON'T FORGET VINNY: Ryan Strausborger has been grabbing headlines for his season-long on-base streak, but Vinny DiFazio has reached in his last 17 games. Despite a .208 batting average during his run that started May 4, the catcher has a .391 on base percentage. Myrtle Beach now has three of the five longest on-base streaks in the Carolina League this season. Jared Prince's 19-gamer in May is the fourth-longest run in the loop this year.

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Carolina League Stories from June 18, 2011


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