Pelicans Game Notes

August 26, 2008 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release

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

Tuesday, August 26 -- 6:05 PM (DH)

BB&T Coastal Field -- Myrtle Beach, SC

Game #134+135, Home Game #63+64

TODAY'S GAME AT A GLANCE: Due to consistent rain on Monday, the Pelicans and the Blue Rocks will square off in a doubleheader. Since the Kinston Indians defeated the Winston-Salem Warthogs last night, the Pelicans enter the doubleheader with a 3.0 game cushion in the Southern Division with seven games remaining. In addition, the Pelicans are three wins from matching the franchise record of 88 set back in 2000 (Carolina League Champions). On Sunday night, the Pelicans recorded double-digit hits for the first time since August 11th against the Salem Avalanche. The Pelicans are 2-1-2 in doubleheaders this season.

TODAY'S PITCHERS: In a lefty vs. righty matchup in game one, Pelicans ace Scott Diamond goes for his league leading 12th win, while the Blue Rocks will send Matt Kniginyzky to the hill. In game two, Cole Rorhbough will go for the Birds against Ray Liotta

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 selected in the 23rd round of the 2005 draft.

THE MAGIC IS IN THE NUMBER PART TWO: Already post-season assured, the Pelicans currently boast a magic number of five 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. Heyward is the first top round draft pick to play for the Birds since Joey Devine in 2005. Heyward is the highest overall selection to ever play for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

COUNTDOWN TO ATTENDANCE RECORD: With six 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 in game one. In 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).

Carolina League Stories from August 26, 2008

• Pelicans Diamond & Rohrbough Both Go Distance - Wilmington Blue Rocks
• Pelicans One Win Away From Tying Franchise Record - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Rocket Wins Carolina League Manager of the Year Award - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Early lead holds for Avalanche - Salem Red Sox
• Erbe dominates Hillcats - Frederick Keys
• Beau Mills is the Carolina League MVP - Kinston Indians
• K-Tribe Tuesday Night Game at Winston-Salem rained out - Kinston Indians
• Winston-Salem and Kinston Postponed Due to Rain - Winston-Salem Dash
• Potomac Nationals Game Notes - Potomac Nationals
• K-Tribe Attendance Reaches 130,000 - Kinston Indians
• Hillcats game notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
• Pelicans Game Notes - Myrtle Beach Pelicans

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.

Other Recent Myrtle Beach Pelicans Stories

• Kannapolis Takes Finale 4-2, Split Series with Pelicans
• Pelicans Blank Cannon Ballers, Secure Series Split
• Four-Run Eighth Inning Propels Kannapolis over Myrtle Beach, 5-4
• Alexey Lumpuy Hits for Cycle in Pelicans 7-3 Victory over Cannon Ballers
• Pelicans Edge Cannon Ballers 3-2, Even Series