Pelicans Capitalize on Fireflies' Errors, Win 7-4
Published on August 11, 2022 under Carolina League (CarL)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans grabbed their second win of the week 7-4 over the Columbia Fireflies on Wednesday night. With two wins in a row, the Birds' record stands at 68-36 and 21-17 in the second half. Columbia has now dropped seven of their eight games in August with their record at 36-67 and 18-19 in the second half.
Of the six Pelican hits, four were extra with Jacob Wetzel (1-4, 2B, 3 RBI) leading the team with a bases-clearing double in the bottom of the third. In his first game back with Myrtle Beach since May 20, Liam Spence (1-4, HR, RBI) went deep for his first Single-A homer of the year.
Tyler Santana (10-1) navigated through six innings to log a quality start with three earned runs off six hits while adding one strikeout. Johzan Oquendo carried two innings in relief with one earned run and three strikeouts and Angel Gonzalez closed out the game with one hit and one strikeout in the final inning to earn his second save. The Pelicans pitching staff did not walk a batter all game.
Columbia out-hit Myrtle Beach for the second straight night as Carter Jensen (3-4, HR, 2 2B, 2 RBI) paced the Fireflies with a three-hit performance. Gavin Cross (1-4, RBI) picked up an RBI in his Fireflies debut.
In his fourth start against the Pelicans this year, Frank Mozzicato (1-6) took the loss with four runs, one earned allowed over five innings. The lefty matched his career-high with seven strikeouts while allowing three hits and a pair of walks. The Fireflies committed four throwing errors in the field with two on Daniel Vazquez at short and another two on Yeudi Advincola at third.
The game's first run came in the top of the second on an RBI single by Columbia's Omar Hernandez to knock in Jensen from second.
Myrtle Beach loaded the bases in the bottom of the third off a throwing error and two walks as Wetzel came up with two outs. On a full count, Wetzel lined a ball out to the left-centerfield wall to score all three runs and gave the Birds a 3-1 advantage.
It was a quick response from the Fireflies as Cross singled and Jensen homered to right with nobody out in the top of the fourth to even the score 3-3.
Mozzicato dealt through the bottom of the fourth with two strikeouts looking to begin the inning. With Spence down 0-2, Mozzicato allowed a solo homer to left field that brought the Pelicans back in front 4-3.
The Pelicans added three more insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh. Scott McKeon led the inning with a double and came home as Vazquez had a throwing error to first on a grounder hit by Spence. With Spence on second, Mora reached on a throwing error by Advincola that scored Spence. Josue Huma brought home Mora on a single to extend the Myrtle Beach lead to 7-3.
Cross hit an RBI groundout with Jean Ramirez on third and one out in the top of the eighth to bring the score to 7-4 Pelicans.
Gonzalez gave up a two-out double to Erick Pena in the top of the ninth but struck out Advincola to end the game.
Thursday night will feature game three of the series with first pitch slated for 7:05 p.m.
Carolina League Stories from August 11, 2022
- Shorebirds Drop Resumption of Suspended Game; Rebound with Win over Mudcats in Game Two - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Late Rally Pushes Fireflies Past Pelicans 2-1 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Carolina Splits Doubleheader in Delmarva - Carolina Mudcats
- RiverDogs and Hillcats Postponed by Rain Thursday; Doubleheader Set for Friday - Charleston RiverDogs
- Late Surge the Difference in 2-1 Win - Columbia Fireflies
- Hillcats Announce Playoff Ticket Packages - Hill City Howlers
- LHP Karlos Morales Promoted to High-A Wisconsin - Carolina Mudcats
- Columbia Fireflies Game Notes August 11 at Pelicans - Columbia Fireflies
- Kannapolis Claims 7-6 Victory in Close Extra-Inning Showdown with Red Sox Wednesday - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Pelicans Capitalize on Fireflies' Errors, Win 7-4 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
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.
