CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Offense Struggles in Late Loss to Keys

Published on August 9, 2010 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


MYRTLE BEACH, SC- After dropping three of four at home to the Potomac Nationals over the weekend, the Pelicans needed a strong showing in game one of four against the Frederick Keys to get back on the winning track. Unfortunately for the Birds, their offense once again started out strong but struggled late in a 6-3 loss in game one to the Keys.

Paul Clemens earned his fourth start on the hill this season after striking out a career high nine in his last start against the Kinston Indians. On Monday, Clemens was excellent again, lasting through five innings for the third time in his four starts, allowing two runs (one earned) on just five hits while striking out a pair. He would not factor into the decision.

The Pelicans and Keys traded runs in the initial inning as Miguel Abreu continued his hot hitting against Pelican pitching by lacing an RBI single to left to score Ronnie Welty with the game's first run. In the bottom half of the frame, Mycal Jones doubled against Keys starter Zach Clark, reached third base on a single from Cory Harrilchak, and scampered home on a wild pitch from Clark (2-1) to knot the game at one.

Frederick grabbed the lead in the third on an RBI single from Welty, but it didn't take long for the Pelicans to capture the advantage from the Keys. Dan Nelson led off the fourth inning with a hit by pitch and Mike Jones followed with a single to extend his hitting streak to six games. After a Jordan Kreke swinging bunt put runners on second and third, Gerry Rodriguez lofted a sacrifice fly to tie the game at two. The next batter, Matt Kennelly, roped a single into center field to give the Pelicans a 3-2 lead.

That lead would hold until the top of the sixth when the Keys notched the equalizer as Abreu played the role of run producer once again, singling to left to tie the game at three.

The Keys comeback coincided with a power outage on the part of the Pelican offense against Clark and a pair of Frederick relievers. After a Cory Harrilchak single with one out in the fifth inning, ten straight Pelicans were set down until Mike Jones led off the ninth with a single to left off Brett Bordes.

By that time, however, the Keys had taken a 6-3 lead by posting a three-spot in the eighth inning. Chad Rodgers (1-7) came out for his third inning of work, and Xavier Avery greeted him with a single to lead off the frame. After a sac bunt and an intentional walk, Rocket Wheeler called for the lefty Luis Avilan to try and get the final two outs in the inning. But Avilan had to deal with Abreu once again who pulled a two-strike breaking ball down the left field line, plating two more, and giving the Keys a 5-3 lead.

For Abreu, the third baseman now has 14 RBI in just nine games against the Pelicans this season while hitting nearly .400.

L.J. Hoes knocked in another run against Avilan to make it 6-3, and that's where the score would stay as the Keys rolled to the victory in game one of this four-game series at BB&T Coastal Field.

The Pelicans offense, who were recently on a sizzling stretch with the bats over the past couple of weeks, have fallen into a funk, failing to notch double digit base hits in six of their last seven ballgames.

These two teams will be back tomorrow evening with first pitch set for 7:05 ET.

For game two, the Pelicans will host one of their most popular daily promotions this season as Team Tuesday will return to BB&T Coastal Field for the second-to-last time in the 2010 season. The first 1,000 fans through the gates at the ballpark will receive a collectable poster of a Pelicans player. Before the game, fans can get that poster autographed by the player featured to make it a memento that fans can treasure forever!

For more information on tickets, daily promotions, and all things Pelicans, log onto myrtlebeachpelicans.com or call 1-877-918-TIXX or 843-918-6000.

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Carolina League Stories from August 9, 2010


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