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CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Nationals Slip Past Birds in Series Finale

June 2, 2015 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


WOODBRIDGE, VA. (JUNE 2, 2015) - On a cold, grey Tuesday night, the Potomac Nationals slipped past the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, with a late rally to win 4-3 at Pfitzner Stadium. Four different Pelicans had multi-hit games in the loss.

Mark Zagunis gave the Pelicans a 3-2 lead with a seventh-inning single, but the Nationals rallied in the bottom of the eighth for a pair of runs. First baseman John Wooten greeted reliever Zach Cates with a lead-off double in the frame, and moved to third on a ground out. Right fielder Estarlin Martinez then tied the game with a fielder's choice RBI groundout that brought a run home on a missed catch error at the plate. Jacob Rogers fielded the ball at first base, but his throw home was dropped, sending Martinez to second and allowing Wooten to score the tying run. Potomac (23-29) gained momentum when center fielder Narciso Mesa moved Martinez to third on an infield hit, and Christopher Bostick gave Potomac a 4-3 lead with an RBI single to right field.

Reliever Wander Suero retired the Pelicans in order in the ninth to seal the 4-3 win.

The Pelicans (31-18) opened the scoring with two runs in the top of the second. Jeimer Candelario lined his fifteenth double of the year to right field to start the frame and Victor Caratini followed with a sinking line drive to right as well. Rogers then put the Birds in front 1-0 with a single to left field. Kevin Brown drove Caratini in to score when he bounced into a ground ball double play, giving the Birds a 2-0 lead.

Mesa helped the home club to its first run when he lined a solo homer over the left field fence in the fifth. Pelicans starter Jonathan Martinez finished the frame without allowing another run, but his night came to a close after five innings. The right-hander struck out a season high six batters without walking a man.

Potomac received a boost in the bottom of the sixth from designated hitter Brandon Miller. After reliever Josh Conway walked a man and then allowed a single with one out, Miller sharply lined a single up the middle to drive in the tying run. Conway was saddled with his second blown save after allowing one earned run in 1 2/3 innings of work, striking out two and walking two.

Conway continued to work into the seventh, but after a walk to second baseman Khayyan Norfork, he was replaced by Michael Heesch, who allowed a hit and surrendered a walk. The left-hander worked around those baserunners, striking out third baseman Drew Ward to escape the jam.

Martinez (3-1) lowered his ERA from 3.00 to 2.86 over five innings, but took the no decision. For the Nationals, starting pitcher John Simms also left the game with no decision after 6 1/3 innings of work. The right-hander picked up four strikeouts while walking two and allowing two runs, both earned runs.

Suero (5-2) won his fifth game of the year with 2 2/3 innings on the mound. The right-hander gave up just one earned run on four base hits, striking out one. Pelicans reliever Zach Cates (1-1) took his first loss along with his second blown save. The right-hander allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits over an inning of work.

The Pelicans have an off day on Wednesday before beginning a homestand against the Carolina Mudcats on Thursday. First pitch Thursday at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET. Myrtle Beach will start right-hander Daury Torrez (4-2, 4.02) while the Mudcats will counter with left-hander Yean Carlos Gil (0-8, 6.45).

Thursday's game can be heard live, presented by Courtyard Myrtle Beach at Barefoot Landing, on 1450 WRNN-AM ESPN Myrtle Beach, on the TuneIn Radio App, and via the MiLB First Pitch App, beginning with the Pregame Show at 6:45 p.m. ET. The game will also air along with live streaming video on MiLB.tv (subscription required).

Thursday will also be another Thirsty Thursday, presented by 96.1 WKZQ, where fans 21 years-old and above can enjoy $1.00 Bud and Bud Light draughts from 6:00-8:00 p.m. ET.

The 2015 season marks the 17th season for the Pelicans franchise and first as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2015, please call (843) 918-6000, e-mail info@myrtlebeachpelicans.com, or visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

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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.

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