CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

P-Nats Drop Pelicans Not Once, But Twice

Published on September 1, 2006 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


MYRTLE BEACH, SC - On Friday night the Potomac Nationals (29-38, 62-75) took both games of a doubleheader against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (37-30, 72-65), narrowly taking the matinee, 6-5, while holding off a furious Pelicans rally in the nightcap to win, 5-3. RF Carl Loadenthal was a bright spot for Myrtle Beach, homering in each game of the double-dip.

In game one the Nationals powered their way to an early 3-0 lead thanks to a three-run home run from 1B Steve Mortimer. Mortimer smacked a deep drive over the left field fence, his 6th of the season to put Potomac on top.

The Pelicans chipped away at the Nats lead in the bottom of the 3rd and pulled to within one run when Loadenthal hammered a towering two-run home run over the right-centerfield billboards. Loadenthal's 6th blast of the year made the score 3-2.

Potomac answered in the top of the 4th inning and came up with two more runs to extend their lead back to three. After a lead-off double from RF Dee Brown, DH Luke Montz delivered a double of his own to give the Nationals a 4-2 advantage. Later in the inning LF Marvin Lowrance bounced into a double play which allowed Montz to score, giving the P-Nats a three-run edge, 5-2.

In the bottom of the 4th inning the Pelicans would change the game entirely when they pushed across three runs to tie it up, 5-5. With the bases loaded and no outs, 2B J.C. Holt roped a two-run double off the wall in straight away centerfield, bringing the Birds to within a run, 5-4. After Holt's double, Loadenthal smacked an RBI single into right field, to tie the game at five runs apiece.

Just when it looked like Myrtle Beach had seized the momentum the Nats broke the hearts of the Pelicans faithful in the top of the 5th inning. With one down, SS Ian Desmond reached with a single into left. Desmond then moved to third on a pick-off move gone all wrong by Pelicans starting pitcher Moises Hernandez. Hernandez then uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Desmond to step on the plate with the go-ahead and winning run.

Hernandez (L, 2-4) took the loss after allowing six runs on nine hits in six innings of work. He walked two and fanned four in the loss. Reliever Brad Nelson worked one perfect inning of relief. Potomac starter David Trahan lasted 3.2 innings and gave up five runs, four earned, on six hits in a no-decision. Reliever Juan Ovalles (W, 5-8) earned the win thanks to 3.1 scoreless innings of relief in which he yielded just three hits.

At the plate the Pelicans were led by the top two hitters in the line-up, Holt (2-4) and Loadenthal (3-4) who combined to go 5-9 with five RBI's and three runs scored.

In game two the Nationals took control in the top of the 3rd inning and leaped out to a 1-0 edge in the top of the 3rd inning courtesy of an RBI single from CF Rog Bernadina.

The visitors added to their lead in the top of the 5th inning with one massive swing of the bat. LF Marvin Lowrance connected for his 6th home run of the year, a prodigious shot over the right field wall to give the Nats a 2-0 advantage.

Potomac tacked on two more runs in the 6th on a wild play. With Desmond at second after a double, former Coastal Carolina University star 3B Brandon Powell legged out a triple down the right field chalk. On the triple, the relay throw sailed into the third base dugout, which allowed Powell to score, jumping the lead to 4-0.

Myrtle Beach didn't go away quietly and struck fear into the Nationals in the bottom of the 6th inning when they pulled to within striking distance. Loadenthal led off with controversial solo home run to centerfield, his 2nd longball of the night and 7th of the season. The controversy was whether or not the baseball cleared the yellow line separating the batter's eye from the wall. Eventually it was ruled as a home run, which cracked the shut out and make the score 4-1 in favor of Potomac. DH Van Pope followed the home run with a double to right-centerfield, and moved to third on a single to right by 1B Mark Jurich. A walk by SS Diory Hernandez loaded the bases with no outs and gave the Pelicans hope. With the bases loaded C Victor Hernandez came through with an RBI single into left, his 1st RBI of the year in his second game with the Birds, to cut the lead in half, 4-2. An RBI fielder's choice by CF Eliazar Carmona pulled the Pelicans to within a run, 4-3, but that's as close as they would get.

Pelicans starter Tyler Bullock (L, 1-2) tossed 5.2 innings and allowed four runs on six hits, while walking two and striking out one. Potomac hurler Carlos Martinez (W, 1-0) earned the win in his Carolina League debut with five innings that saw him allow three runs on six hits in five innings. Reliever Josh Perrault (S, 3) logged the save thanks to a scoreless bottom of the 7th.

The Pelicans were led offensively by Jurich who went 2-3 with a run scored. Loadenthal finished the doubleheader 4-8 with a home run and four RBI's.

On Saturday night the Pelicans begin their final series of the year, a three-game set against the Kinston Indians starting at 7:02 pm. Gates will open up at 6:02 pm. For tickets please call 843-918-6000 or purchase tickets online at myrtlebeachpelicans.com. The Pelicans have just 3 games remaining in the 2006 season, so get your tickets now! It's your last chance to watch the future of the Atlanta Braves this year.

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Carolina League Stories from September 1, 2006


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