CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Pelicans Game Notes

Published on August 24, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


Myrtle Beach Pelicans (84-48, 39-23) vs. Wilmington Blue Rocks (66-66, 31-31)

Sunday, August 24 -- 6:05 PM

BB&T Coastal Field -- Myrtle Beach, SC

Game #133, Home Game #62

TODAY'S GAME AT A GLANCE: The Pelicans return home for game one against the Wilmington Blue Rocks following a rocky road trip in which they dropped four of six games. It was their first sub .500 road trip since the first road trip of the season (April 4-10). The Pelicans have taken 11-of-16 meetings from the Blue Rocks. However, only three of the 11 wins have come here at BB&T Coastal Field. The Birds are currently limping through their third four-game losing streak of the season. In the game following their last four-game slid, the Pelicans trounced the Potomac Nationals 12-6 (6/28). The Pelicans are four wins shy of the franchise record of 88 set back in 2002.

TODAY'S PITCHERS: In a matchup of right-handers, Jaye Chapman makes his first start of the season in replace of RHP Kyle Cofield, while the Blue Rocks will send Mario Santiago to the hill.

Chapman: Following 11 appearances out of the bullpen, Chapman makes a spot-start for the Pelicans in the rotation spot of Kyle Cofield. In 25.0 total innings, he has allowed 24 hits and eight earned runs. Chapman has picked up wins in his last two appearances. Against the Wilmington Blue Rocks (8/19), he pitched two shutout innings, striking out three batters. In the month of August, he is 4-0 with a 1.84 ERA. He has been devastating against lefties (.171, 7-41). His last professional start was on August 7th, 2006 against the Pulaski Mariners in the Appalachian League. He made five starts for the Danville Braves in 2006. Chapman is the 18th different Pelican to make a start in 2008. For comparison sake, the Blue Rocks have had 11 pitchers make starts.

The Lynn Haven, Florida was drafted in the 16th round of the 2005 draft. He was a draft and follow, signed in May of 2006. Last season in Rome, Chapman posted a 3-1 mark with a 6.27 ERA. in 20 appearances out of the bullpen. In 37.1 innings, he struck out 42 batters.

Santiago: The ace of the Wilmington Blue Rocks staff takes the hill in game one. Santiago ranks fifth in the Carolina League in ERA (3.50). He ranks second on the Rocks staff in innings pitched (128.2) behind Matt Kniginyzky (136.2). Santiago has a tremendous strikeout to walk ratio of 77:36. Although he picked up a no-decision against the Birds on August 19th, he tossed 5.2 scoreless innings, surrendering only one hit. In three starts against Myrtle Beach, he is 0-1 with a 2.87 ERA. In 15.2 innings, he has allowed 10 hits and five earned runs against the Pelicans. Santiago has a 4.85 ERA on the road as opposed to a 2.47 ERA at Frawley Stadium in Delaware.

The Guayama, Puerto Rico native was selected in the 16th round of the 2005 draft by the KC Royals. In 2007, he was named the Low-A Burlington Pitcher of the Year as he posted a 5-10 record with a 3.74 ERA. Santiago attended Laredo Community College and Baton Rouge Community College before being drafted.

THE MAGIC IS IN THE NUMBER PART TWO: Already post-season assured, the Pelicans currently boast a magic number of seven to claim the second half title as well.

MIGRATING SOUTH: The birds are not peaking offensively as they approach the post-season. The league's most prolific offense has struggled mightily at the plate of late. Over their last ten games, the Pelicans are hitting just .200, which is 60 points lower than their season average (.260). Many key contributors have swooned of late (Jones -- .156; Campbell -- .161; Hernandez -- .256; Flowers -- .174; Owings -- .152; Rodriguez -- .167). Additionally, the birds have recorded just 31 RBIs over their last ten (3.1/game), and have been shut out twice. Myrtle Beach, which leads the league in runs scored and home runs also totes the lightest batting average in the league during the month of August (.230).

COUNTDOWN TO ATTENDANCE RECORD: With eight home contests remaining in 2008, the Pelicans are pulling closer to the overall 10-year franchise attendance record of 234,020 (2000). The Pelicans are currently 15,690 fans shy of eclipsing the mark.

Check out the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from August 24, 2008


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