CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Pelicans Game Notes

Published on May 15, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


Myrtle Beach Pelicans (25-14) vs. Potomac Nationals (23-15)

Thursday, May 15 -- 7:05 PM

Pfitzner Stadium -- Woodbridge, VA

Game #40, Road Game #25

TODAY'S GAME AT A GLANCE: The Pelicans conclude a four-game series with the Potomac Nationals and also an eight-day seven-game road trip to the Northern Division. Tonight, the birds will be seeking their ninth consecutive series victory, a stretch that dates back to 4/14-4/16 when they dropped two-of-three games to the Winston-Salem Warthogs at BB&T Coastal Field. They will also be seeking 6-1 road trip before returning home to open a week-long six-game homestand.

TODAY'S STARTING PITCHERS: In a battle of right-handers, Gonzalo Lopez will look for his third win of the season for the Pelicans against Craig Stammen for Potomac.

Lopez: Has won back-to-back starts despite turning in drastically different performances. In his most recent outing, Lopez twirled one of his finest outings of the year, limiting the Wilmington Blue Rocks to two runs on six hits over six innings. In the start prior, Lopez also took the hill on the road and won, but it was the offense that picked him up. The righty allowed six runs in five innings, but won for the first time as the Pelicans pounded out 10 runs.

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.

Stammen: Has been down-right dominate in both a relief and starting role. He assumed the top-starter's roles upon the departure of Cory Van Allen and Jordan Zimmerman. In his first two starts he has permitted just one earned run in 11 total innings. Despite that fact, he has gone 0-1 in the two starts. In his last outing, he suffered the loss, despite limiting the Kinston Indians to a lone run in six innings. Prior to that, he shut out the Pelicans over five innings at BB&T Coastal Field.

The Ohio-native was selected by the Nationals in the 12th round of the 2005 draft out of the University of Dayton. He spent nearly the entire 2007 season with the Potomac Nationals, going 8-6 with an ERA of 4.18 in 28 appearances, 22 of which were starts.

HANSON HITS THE ROAD: During their game two win over Wilmington on Saturday, the Pelicans learned that their ace, right-hander Tommy Hanson, had been promoted to Mississippi (AA). The 21-year old will leave a large void, having posted a 3-1 record in seven starts with an ERA of 0.90 (2nd - CL). At the time of his promotion, the two-time Carolina League Pitcher of the Week had 49 strikeouts, also second in the league. He made his first start for the M-Braves Tuesday night, earning his first win, while allowing just one run on five hits over 6 1/3 innings against Montgomery.

NEARLY A PERFECT 10 PART TWO: Their six-game win streak was halted last night, but the Pelicans still hold the top record in the Carolina League over their last 10 games, having claimed eight-of-10. That mark is two games better than the Winston-Salem Warthogs, who have gone 6-4. The birds have used that stretch to increase their lead in the Southern Division to 6 1/2 games.

ROAD WARRIORS PART THREE: The Pelicans had a seven-game road-winning streak snapped in last night's loss, but still have the best road record in the Carolina League (8-16). That includes their recent schedule in which they have played 13-of-16 games away from the Grand Strand. The birds have gone 12-4 in the stretch, including 10-3 during the road portion. The Pelicans also took two-of-three from the P-Nats at home in between weeks on the road.

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Carolina League Stories from May 15, 2008


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