CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Pelicans Game Notes

Published on April 29, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


Myrtle Beach Pelicans (14-10) vs. Lynchburg Hillcats (10-14)

Tuesday, April 29 -- 6:05 PM

Lynchburg City Stadium -- Lynchburg, VA

Game #25, Road Game #13

TODAY'S GAME AT A GLANCE: The Pelicans will be looking for their second series win against the Hillcats in the last week after holding on for dear-life and taking game one last night, 8-7. With a win either tonight or tomorrow night in the series finale, Myrtle Beach will claim a fifth consecutive series victory (4/14-4/16 vs. WS, 4/17-4/20 @ KIN, 4/21-4/23 vs. LYN, 4/24-4/26 vs. SAL). The Pelicans will also be seeking a third consecutive victory for the third time this season.

TODAY'S STARTING PITCHERS: Myrtle Beach will face their third-consecutive left-hander and sixth in the last seven games as Brian Holliday makes the start for Lynchburg. Right-hander Gonzalo Lopez makes his fifth start of the season for the Pelicans looking for his first win of the season.

Lopez: Showed resiliency in his last outing, permitting two runs in the first inning to these very same Hillcats before settling in and stifling Lynchburg for the next four innings. Although Lopez is personally winless on the season, the Pelicans have claimed three-of-four victories in his starts and also won the ballgame that he appeared in relief.

A native of Managua, Nicaragua, Lopez has been in the Atlanta Braves organization since he was signed as a free agent in July of 2000. He has made stops in the Gulf Coast League (Braves), South Atlantic League (Macon/Rome) and the Carolina League (Myrtle Beach). His best season was in 2004 when he went 8-5 with a 3.67 for the Rome Braves.

Holliday: Has been dominant thus far this year. The lefty boasts an ERA of 1.37, which currently rates him fourth in the Carolina League. The 23-year old has made four starts and two relief appearances. His last two outings have been starts, and he has allowed just one earned run in nine innings of work. He factored in his lone decision, a win, two outings back when he beat the Salem Avalanche on the road, conceding a lone run on five hits over five innings.

The Pennsylvanian was drafted in the 12th round of the 2002 entry draft by the Pirates out of Moon Area (PA) High School. 2008 is his seventh professional season.

NEARLY A PERFECT TEN: The Pelicans own the best record in the Carolina League over their last ten games (8-2), a mark that is two games better than the Wilmington Blue Rocks, the only other CL team with a winning-record during the span. Myrtle Beach has climbed to the cat-bird seat in the Southern Division during that time, picking up five games on Salem, four on Kinston and three on Winston-Salem. During the run, the birds have batted .258, which is 25 points higher than their season average (.233).

HOME COOKING: The Pelicans put up big offensive totals during their second homestand of the season. Against the Salem Avalanche, they put up a total of 23 runs, which was their highest series total of the season. Further, during the entire homestand, the Pelicans posted a total of 38 runs. For perspective, during the first homestand of the season, the Pelicans scored only 22 total runs. However, including last night, the Pelicans will spend 14-of-17 days away from BB&T Coastal Field over the next three weeks.

KEVIN "NINTH INNING" GUNDERSON: Pelicans closer Kevin Gunderson has been sensational this season. Gunderson has converted all six of his save opportunities to this point, including his nail-biter last night. Gunderson leads the Carolina League in the category and did not allow a run in any of his first eight appearances (4/24-4/26). That string ended last night as the Hillcats plated two runs (1 ER) off of the southpaw in the ninth inning.

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Carolina League Stories from April 29, 2008


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