CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Pelicans Game Notes

Published on August 7, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


TODAY'S GAME AT A GLANCE: After an undefeated 7-0 homestand, that included sweeps of the Lynchburg Hillcats and the Kinston Indians, the Pelicans play game one against the Hillcats on the road. The Birds have taken 10 of 16 meetings from the ‘Cats but the two clubs have split at Lynchburg City Stadium. The Pelicans are 6.5 games clear of the K-Tribe with 26 games remaining in the regular season.

Last night, the Pelicans got a huge boost from pinch hitter Randy Gress in the eighth inning. Gress hit a three-run double over the head of right-fielder Cirilo Cumerbatch to give the Birds breathing room at 9-5.

TODAY'S PITCHERS: In a lefty vs. righty matchup, Scott Diamond will look to become the first 11-game winner in the league, while Michael Crotta goes for his ninth win for the HIllcats.

Diamond: Along with Ryne Reynoso, Diamond has combined to form the most feared 1-2 punch in the Carolina League. Coming off a five inning shutout of the Lynchburg Hillcats on August 1st. In 76.1 total innings, he allowed 75 hits but just 26 earned runs. Diamond has shown a mastery of his command as clear by his 68:23 strikeout to walk ratio. He has been a model of consistency, going through at least the fifth inning in each of his outings. Diamond is 4-0 away from BB&T Coastal Field.

Currently in his first professional season, Diamond was signed as an non-drafted free agent in August of 2007 after he dazzled for the Martinsville Mustangs of the Coastal Plain League (Summer Collegiate). Played his collegiate ball for three years at SUNY Binghamton.

Crotta: Making his second straight start against the Pelicans. On August 2nd, he went five innings and allowed seven hits and three earned runs to pick up a no-decision. In 114.1 innings, he has allowed high totals of 136 hits and 65 earned runs. He does have a solid strikeout to walk ratio of 74:23. Crotta has been stellar at home, where he is 3-1 with a 3.18 ERA in eight starts.

The Fort Lauderdale, FL native was selected in the 23rd round of the 2006 draft by the Pirates. Last season for the Hickory Crawdads (Low-A), he went 10-5 with a 4.39 ERA. He was 8-0 after the all-star break.

MOST WINS IN MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: The 2008 Myrtle Beach Pelicans currently have the most wins (76) 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 nine clubs to have 70 or more wins. The Pelicans also own the best winning percentage of all full-season minor league teams (.667).

LOOK OUT MARCUS GILES: In 1999, Pelicans second baseman Marcus Giles wrote the Pelicans record book. Many of his records are still standing today. However, two of his marks are in serious jeopardy. One more double for Pelicans first baseman Ernesto Mejia and he will become the single-season doubles leader. Pelicans left fielder Willie Cabrera is now 34 hits shy of the single-season hits record of 162 set by Giles. Cabrera is currently tied for 10th with Jordan Schafer (2007).

COUNTDOWN TO ATTENDANCE RECORD: With 12 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 36,318 fans shy of eclipsing the mark.

1,002 WINS FOR WHEELER: Pelicans Manager Rocket Wheeler earned his 1,000th career professional coaching win on Monday night (8/4). 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.

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Carolina League Stories from August 7, 2008


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