Pelicans Game Notes
Published on August 6, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release
TODAY'S GAME AT A GLANCE: The Pelicans look to close out their second straight sweep in game three against the K-Tribe. The Pelicans are currently riding a seven-game winning streak. In the process, they have increased their lead in the Southern Division to 5.5 games over Kinston. With 27 games remaining, the Pelicans are 13-wins shy of tying the franchise wins record of 88 set back in 2000.
Last night, the Pelicans devastated the K-Tribe with three runs in the final two innings to steal game two 4-3. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, Willie Cabrera hit a liner into right-center field that scored two to give the Birds a walk-off win.
TODAY'S PITCHERS: Brett Butts makes his first start of the season for the Pelicans after posting a 3-3 record as a reliever, while Hector Rondon goes for his eleventh win for the K-Tribe.
Butts: Making his professional baseball starting debut after being used exclusively out of the bullpen for his first two seasons in the Braves organization. Butts currently holds a 3-3 record on the season with a 3.39 ERA and 10 saves. He has not fared quite so well against Kinston however, as he is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in 5.1 innings. In his last outing on July 31st against Lynchburg, Butts went 3.2 innings and got roughed up a bit, giving up four earned runs on six hits. The 3.2 IP matched his longest outing of the season.
Butts was selected by the Braves in the 19th round of the 2007 June free agent draft out of Auburn University. He has spent the entire 2008 season with the Pelicans after splitting time between Danville (R), Rome (A), and Myrtle Beach in 2007.
Rondon: Tied for the Carolina League lead in wins with Pelicans Scott Diamond and Ryne Reynoso. Coming off an excellent start against the Salem Avalanche (8/1) when he tossed six innings and allowed four hits and one run. Rondon has factored into the decision in his last ten starts. Had a stretch in June (6/10-7/4), where he won five straight starts. In 115.0 total innings (8th in the C.L), he has allowed 106 hits and 46 earned runs. The Carolina League is batting .245 against him. Rondon has a sub-par 5.90 ERA on the road as opposed to an excellent 1.26 ERA at home.
The Guatire, Venezuela native is already in his fourth professional season at just 20 years of age. Rondon went 7-10 with a 4.37 ERA last season for the Lake County Captains.
MOST WINS IN MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: The 2008 Myrtle Beach Pelicans currently have the most wins (75) in all of Minor League Baseball. The second most wins belong to Scranton Wilkes-Barre (73), the Triple-A affiliate of the Yankees. The Pelicans are one of only seven clubs to have 70 or more wins. The Pelicans also own the best winning percentage of all full-season minor league teams (.664).
MEJIA SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH GILES: Pelicans first baseman Ernesto Mejia tied the single-season franchise doubles record with a two-bagger in the fourth inning last night. Mejia has now connected on a Carolina League best 40 doubles. Marcus Giles (1999) recorded 40 doubles in the Pelicans inaugural season, a record that has withstood nine seasons.
COUNTDOWN TO ATTENDANCE RECORD: With 13 home contests remaining in 2008, the Pelicans are pulling closer to the overall 10-year franchise attendance record of 234,019 (2000). The Pelicans are currently 40,089 fans shy of eclipsing the mark.
1,001 WINS FOR WHEELER: Pelicans Manager Rocket Wheeler earned his 1,000th career professional coaching win on Monday night. Wheeler began his coaching career back in 1984 with the Medicine Hat Blue Jays. Rocket' was named the 1999 Florida State League Manager of the Year and the 1996 NY-Penn League Manager of the Year.
Carolina League Stories from August 6, 2008
- Teaford Shines, Mertins Knocks in Lone Run - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- One Night After Getting No-Hit, Avalanche Score 20 Runs on 20 Hits - Frederick Keys
- Avalanche retaliates in huge way - Salem RidgeYaks
- Birds Winning Streak Reaches Eight Games - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Tribe falters in Myrtle Beach - Kinston Indians
- Blue Rocks Blank Warthogs 1-0 in Series Finale - Winston-Salem Dash
- Early lead doesn't hold for Nats - Potomac Nationals
- Hillcats Game Notes - Hill City Howlers
- Potomac Nationals Game Notes - Potomac Nationals
- Pelicans Game Notes - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Unique Giveaways Highlight K-Tribe Homestand - Kinston Indians
- P-Nats play a short series against the Frederick Keys - Potomac Nationals
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
