CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Pelicans Game Notes

Published on May 17, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


Myrtle Beach Pelicans (26-15) vs. Wilmington Blue Rocks (18-22)

Saturday, May 17 -- 7:05 PM

BB&T Coastal Field -- Myrtle Beach, SC

Game #42, Home Game #17

TODAY'S GAME AT A GLANCE: The Pelicans go for their tenth series victory of the season as they play game two against the Wilmington Blue Rocks. The Pelicans would be the first team in the Carolina League to reach 10 series wins.

Last night, the Pelicans dominated the Blue Rocks in every facet, earning a series opening 6-2 victory. Chris Vines was spectacular in six innings, blanking the Blue Rocks. Offensively, the Pelicans used timely hits in the third inning and one home run in both the fourth and fifth innings (Concepcion Rodriguez (2) & Brandon Hicks (7) to earn a convincing victory.

TODAY'S STARTING PITCHERS: Due to the doubleheader on May 13th against Potomac, the Pelicans will send left hander Kelvin Villa to the mound for his first start of the season against Blake Wood for Wilmington.

Villa: Predominantly a bullpen pitcher, he is making a spot start in order to keep the rotation on target. Villa has been used sparingly out of the pen, making six appearances for the Pelicans, compiling just 8.0 innings pitched. In his last outing (5/7 vs. POT) he went a season-long 3.0 innings and gave up three hits and one run. In a short amount of time, Villa has been noticeably better at home (1-0, 2.08) versus on the road (0-0, 4.91). More information on Villa is available in the bullpen notes.

The Salcedo, Dominican Republic native was added to the Pelicans roster on April 16th from Mississippi (AA). He signed a free agent contract with the Atlanta Braves in November of 2002. In his five previous professional seasons, he has made 110 total appearances and 85 starts.

Wood: Making his ninth start of the year, Wood has totaled 45.1 innings to this point. He has allowed 28 hits and 17 runs. Wood has an impressive strikeout to walk ratio of 47:11. In his last outing, he was hit with a tough loss, going seven innings against Kinston and allowing just three hits and three runs. Wood has struggled away from Frawley Stadium, where he is 0-2 with a 5.74 ERA.

A native of Suwanee, GA, Wood was selected in the 3rd round of the 2006 draft by the KC Royals. Wood is the #5 rated prospect in the Royals chain according to Baseball America. In 2007, Wood missed the first half of the season after having surgery on a herniated disk in his back.

MISSISSIPPI PIPELINE GROWS: The Atlanta Braves made a couple of roster moves the last two days as they sent closer Kevin Gunderson up to Double-A Mississippi and utility infielder Chad Lundahl to Mississippi (AA). Gunderson was leading the Carolina League in saves with 10, while Lundahl was trying to find an everyday spot in the lineup, hitting .257. To replace Gunderson in the bullpen, the Braves added LHP Carlos Rivas from Rome. Lundahl is returning to Myrtle Beach today.

PASSING THE PACE CAR: The Pelicans are way ahead of the pace they were on last year as far as wins are concerned. The Pelicans didn't record their 26th win in 2007 until June 6th against Lynchburg. They did record their 27th win the following night.

HOME RUN DERBY: The Pelicans are second in the Carolina League in team home runs with 35. Last night, Concepcion Rodriguez and Brandon Hicks added to the total. In the month of May, the Pelicans have already mashed 16 long balls. For comparison, in the month of April, the Pelicans only managed 19 homers. It has been a team effort as 12 different Pelicans have hit home runs.

Check out the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from May 17, 2008


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