Pelicans Game Notes
Published on May 12, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release
ABOUT LAST NIGHT...: After a Tuesday rainout, the Pelicans swept a twinbill against the Indians on Wednesday with two shutouts, 6-0 and 2-0. Joe Wieland had another brilliant game, going the distance in a seven-inning, two-hit shutout, the first in the Carolina League this season. Thanks to a pair of double plays, Wieland faced the minimum as the K-Tribe did not reach second base. Ryan Kelly followed that gem with one of his own in the nightcap, tossing six shutout innings of three-hit ball. Ryan Strausborger hit a two-run home run for the decisive margin in the fourth inning and Joe Ortiz had a 1-2-3 seventh for his second save. The sweep gives the Pelicans a three-game winning streak and they move up to just one game out of first place in the Carolina League Southern Division after Salem fell in Wilmington last night 3-2.
CAN'T WAIT: When the Pelicans and Indians played a four-game set in Kinston in April, aces Robbie Erlin of Myrtle Beach and Drew Pomeranz of the K-Tribe were the only starters that didn't pitch in the series. And after Tuesday's rainout forced a Wednesday doubleheader, it looked like the two teams might use a spot starter and push the two back a day. Fortunately, the rotations were unchanged, preserving a phenomenal matchup of two of the Carolina League's best prospects for Thursday night. There is a contrast between the 6-5 Pomeranz and his 95 MPH fastball and the 5-11 Erlin who can touch 90 with his heater. But they have similar devastating curveballs and have both been dominant through the season's first five weeks.
FEWER HITS THAN A MAYWEATHER FIGHT: Thursday's much-anticipated pitching matchup features the hurlers with the two lowest opponent batting averages in the Carolina League. Robbie Erlin of the Pelicans (14-122, .115) squares off against Kinston's Drew Pomeranz (16-99, .162).
GREAT SECOND ACT: Joe Wieland's complete-game shutout should not overshadow the terrific game from Ryan Kelly in the second game of Wednesday's twinbill. The Hilton Head right-hander tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits in the longest outing of his career. The K-Tribe reached second base just once, when Tyler Holt led off the game with a double. After starting the season with three saves, Kelly has moved to the rotation for five starts, the last of which was his first one without a run.
Carolina League Stories from May 12, 2011
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- Erlin Outduels Pomeranz to Earn Sweep - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
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