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CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

One-Sided Slugfest Sends Pelicans to 30th Win

May 30, 2015 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


WOODBRIDGE, VA - With a 6-1 lead through six innings, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, put away the Potomac Nationals with a five-run seventh inning to win 11-1 at Pfitzner Stadium on Saturday night. The Birds drew six consecutive walks to open the seventh inning en route to their largest win of the year.

Carlos Penalver put the Pelicans into the lead in the second inning with an RBI single to left off Nationals starter Reynaldo Lopez. Potomac would tie the game when shortstop Stephen Perez tripled home the tying run, but Myrtle Beach retook the lead on an RBI triple by Kevin Brown in the fourth. Daniel Lockhart doubled in the following at-bat to put another run on the board, and Mark Zagunis followed with a double to give the Pelicans a 4-1 advantage.

The Pelicans (30-16) received a boost from Jeimer Candelario, who led off the fifth inning with a solo home run to right field. Kevin Brown followed suit with a homer to start the sixth inning for a 6-1 lead.

The Nationals (21-28) suffered through a long seventh inning when reliever Kevin Perez walked four straight batters to open the frame. After a bases loaded walk to Jacob Rogers, right-hander Cody Davis took over on the mound and proceeded to walk two more. Four runs scored in the frame by virtue of a walk. Lockhart drove in the final run with a sacrifice fly to put Myrtle Beach ahead, 11-1.

The ten walks in the game tied a season high for the Pelicans, who drew ten free passes in a contest against the Salem Red Sox on May 7. Those ten walks are also the most allowed by the Nationals in a game this season.

The nine hits allowed by Lopez (2-2) also matched a career high as he collected his second loss of the year. In five complete innings, the Nationals' third-ranked prospect according to MiLBPipeline.com allowed five earned runs while striking out six and walking one. Candelario's home run off Lopez was the first the right-hander has allowed this season.

Against the Pelicans in his last start on May 22, Lopez lasted 2 2/3 innings while also allowing five earned runs on five base hits.

Pelicans starter Paul Blackburn (4-2) matched a season-high six strikeouts while walking one and allowing four hits across five innings of work. He finished his night on a high note, striking out the side looking in the fifth. Left-hander Michael Heesch pitched two scoreless frames, and righty James Pugliese closed the game with two innings of work, allowing one walk while striking out three.

The series against the Nationals continues Sunday with a 1:05 p.m. ET first pitch. The Pelicans will hand the ball to right-hander Tyler Skulina (1-3, 4.25) while the Nationals start righty Nick Pivetta (3-3, 1.41).

Sunday'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 12:45 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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