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CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Pelicans Fight Back to Win First Extra Inning Game of '15

April 12, 2015 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


MYRTLE BEACH, SC - In what became a battle of wills in the late innings, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, climbed back from a two-run, extra-inning deficit to defeat the Wilmington Blue Rocks 4-3 on Saturday night at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark.

In a game when runs became a commodity for both clubs until the final frame, Pelicans catcher Victor Caratini brought home the winning run on Locals Appreciation Saturday at the ballpark.

Tied at one run apiece into extra innings, Wilmington (1-2) took a late lead thanks to timely hitting. Second baseman Ramon Torres chopped an infield single up the middle before the speedy infielder scored on shortstop Jack Lopez's triple into the left field corner. That gave the Blue Rocks a 2-1 lead for first baseman Frank Schwindel, who tallied an insurance run with another single to left, his third base hit of the night.

With a 3-1 lead in hand, Wilmington manager Brian Buchanan called to his bullpen for right-hander Matt Alvarez, who promptly loaded the bases on three consecutive walks. Two batters later, Pelicans third baseman Jeimer Candelario clubbed a two-run single to center field to tie the game and set up Caratini's chance to play the hero. With a broken-bat grounder to second base, Torres flipped the ball home, but Billy McKinney's slide eluded the tag of Zane Evans and sealed the 4-3 comeback victory.

Pelicans starting pitcher Paul Blackburn held the Blue Rocks at bay, but not before encountering a rocky first inning in which he surrendered three hits and a walk. With Wilmington out to a quick 1-0 lead, the right-hander went on to strike out the side, scattering three more strikeouts in the rest of his five innings of work. Blackburn allowed only one hit over his next four innings.

For the remainder of the night, strikeouts became the story for the Birds bullpen, retiring a combined eleven of 20 batters with strikeouts.

The 17 strikeouts by Pelicans pitching was more than in any game a season ago.

The victory handed Starling Peralta (1-0), who worked the final two innings, his first win of the season. as Alvarez (0-1) took the loss.

The Pelicans wrap up the first series in their opening homestand on Sunday with a 5:05 p.m. ET first pitch at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. Myrtle Beach sends right-hander Tyler Skulina (0-0, -.-- ERA) to mound, as Wilmington counters with left-hander Eric Skoglund (0-0, -.--ERA). The game can be heard live 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 4:45 p.m. The game will also air along with live streaming video on MiLB.tv (subscription required).

Sunday evening is Family Sunday, presented by WRNN Hot Talk 99.5, featuring pre-game on field catch for fans from 4:15-4:35 p.m. (weather permitting). WRNN also sponsors the nights' Senior Beauty Pageant where ladies 55 years plus are invited to strut their stuff in a Miss America-style competition. Another pageant follows with the Senior vs. Senior event, where high school seniors compete against senior citizens in a variety of fun challenges.

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