CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Pelicans Dominate Down The Stretch, Win 7-4

Published on April 23, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


Myrtle Beach, S.C. - The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were lifted by a towering shot that sailed over "Land Shark Landing" by Brandon Hicks to break a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the seventh. The Pelicans held off the Hillcats in the eighth and ninth innings to take the series finale 7-4. With the Pelicans win tonight and a Salem Avalanche loss to Kinston, the Pelicans move into a tie for first place with the Winston-Salem Warthogs atop the Southern division of the Carolina League.

The Hillcats raced out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Shortstop Brian Friday lead off the evening with a deep long ball over the left field wall. The following hitter, Angel Gonzalez then delivered a sharp double up the right field line. With Gonzalez in scoring position, Jim Negrych continued the hot start by knocking a double to left field that scored Gonzalez.

Pelicans starter Gonzalo Lopez settled in very nicely after his rocky start. In fact, Lopez did not allow a single hit in his final four innings of work. The Pelicans received solid relief appearances from Brett Butts, Kelvin Villa and Kevin Gunderson, who picked up his team high fourth save of the season.

The Pelicans cut the lead in half in the bottom half of the third. With Gorkys Hernandez aboard at first base, Brandon Hicks hit a fly ball to shallow right field that was misplayed by right fielder Yonelvy Canal. As Canal attempted to make a diving catch, the ball ricocheted off his body and out in front of him, allowing Hernandez to motor into score.

In the fourth inning, the Pelicans broke through with two runs to take a 3-2 edge. Willie Cabrera singled to open up the inning. Then, Ernesto Mejia hit a line drive to left field that got all the way to the warning track as Albert Laboy attempted an unsuccessful diving catch. Mejia stood on third as Jon Mark Owings hit a sacrifice fly to right field deep enough to bring home Mejia. The Pelicans tacked on another run in the fifth on another error by right fielder Canal as Tyler Flowers came into score.

The Hillcats responded with two of their own in the sixth to knot the game at four apiece. With runners at second and third, Albert Laboy hit a weak grounder to third that should have ended the inning. Instead, Ernesto Mejia couldn't handle the on-target throw from Hicks, which allowed both Steve Lerud and Eddie Prasch to score.

In the seventh, the Pelicans regained the lead on a lead off solo homer off the bat of Brandon Hicks. The Pelicans then added two more insurance runs in the eighth inning to put the Hillcats away. Phillip Britton hit a one out single up the middle to score Ernesto Mejia. Gorkys Hernandez then doubled to right field to score Phillip Britton. On the play, Hernandez wheeled around second heading for third and came up lame, injuring his right hamstring. He was helped off the field and did not return. The extent of the injury is unknown at this juncture.

The Pelicans open up their series against the Salem Avalanche on Thursday, April 24th at BB&T Coastal Field. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. on Motorboatin' Night. The Pelicans will send ace Tommy Hanson (2-0, 0.00) to the hill in search of their third straight win. The Avalanche will counter with lefty David Qualben (0-2, 8.16).

For tickets to the series opener against the Avalanche or any of the remaining home games at BB&T Coastal Field, call the Pelicans box office at 843-918-6000 or visit us online at MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

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Carolina League Stories from April 23, 2008


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