CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Pelicans Game Notes

Published on August 25, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


Myrtle Beach Pelicans (85-48, 40-23) vs. Wilmington Blue Rocks (66-67, 31-32)

Monday, August 25 -- 7:05 PM

BB&T Coastal Field -- Myrtle Beach, SC

Game #134, Home Game #63

TODAY'S GAME AT A GLANCE: The Pelicans square off with the Wilmington Blue Rocks in game two of a four game series. Since both Winston-Salem and Kinston were idle last night, the Pelicans 4-1 win gave them a 2.5 game cushion in the Southern Division with seven games remaining. In addition, the Pelicans pulled within three games of matching the franchise wins record of 88 set back in 2000 (Carolina League Champions). Last night, the Pelicans recorded double-digit hits for the first time since August 11th against the Salem Avalanche.

TODAY'S PITCHERS: In a lefty vs. righty matchup, Pelicans ace Scott Diamond goes for his league leading 12th win, while the Blue Rocks will send their ace Matt Kniginyzky to the hill.

Diamond: Coming off his shortest outing (3.2 IP vs. WIL) of the season. He allowed five hits and three earned runs in his first loss since June 9th (72 days). Diamond is tied with Hector Rondon (Kinston) for the league lead in wins with 11. He has been tremendous in the month of August, posting a 2-1 record with a 2.08 ERA in four starts. Diamond excels against lefties, which lends itself to success against the left-laden Blue Rocks. Lefties are hitting only .195 against him. Has an excellent strikeout to walk ratio of 84:27. Diamond has recorded 16 K's to 4 BB in his last three starts. Traditionally superb at BB&T Coastal Field (6-1, 2.70).

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.

Kniginyzky: The staff leader in wins (9) and innings pitched (136.2) takes the ball in game two. Kniginyzky ranks sixth in the league in ERA (3.56). Earned the win in his last start (8/20 vs. MB), allowing eight hits and three runs over 6.2 innings. In three outings against the Birds, he is 1-2 with a 5.14 ERA. He leads the Blue Rocks staff in strikeouts and ranks tied for fifth in the Carolina League with 110. Kniginyzky actually has a slightly better ERA on the road (3.34) than at Frawley Stadium (3.74). Has not lost a start since June 21st, when he lost to the Winston-Salem Warthogs.

The 24-year old will create an all-Canadian pitching matchup, hailing from Oakville, Ontario. He was drafted in the 23rd round of the 2005 draft by the Royals. Made just five total starts among three levels in 2007. Played collegiately at High Point (NC) for two seasons.

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

HELLO HEYWARD: The Atlanta Braves promoted their 2007 first round draft pick (#14 overall) Jason Heyward to the Pelicans from the Rome Braves (Low-A). The #2 rated prospect in the Braves chain according to Baseball America is expected to help fill the void left by the promotion of Willie Cabrera to Mississippi (AA). Heyward hit .324 with 11 home runs and 52 RBIs in 120 games for Rome. He ranked second in the South Atlantic League in batting average, first in runs scored (88) and fourth in on-base percentage (.388). Heyward is the first top round draft pick to play for the Birds since Joey Devine in 2005. Heyward is also the highest overall draft pick to ever play for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

COUNTDOWN TO ATTENDANCE RECORD: With seven 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 12,163 fans shy of eclipsing the mark.

PELICANS SLOW SPEEDY BLUE ROCKS: The Pelicans held the speedy Blue Rocks in check last night. It was the first time in four games that the Blue Rocks did not swipe at least one base. The Blue Rocks lead the Carolina League with 251 stolen bases. For perspective, second best in the CL is 121 (Lynchburg Hillcats).

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Carolina League Stories from August 25, 2008


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