Pelicans Knockout Diablos 15-7; Pels Now Four Games Ahead in First Place

Published on August 16, 2009 under American Association (AA)
Pensacola Pelicans News Release


On the 450th anniversary of Pensacola's founding, the hometown team provided the fireworks: the Pelicans wasted no time in scoring all the runs they would need in the very first inning, defeating the Diablos 15-7 on Saturday night. The win was Pensacola's third in a row, and coupled with the Captains' victory over the Air Hogs, the Pelicans are now in first place, four games ahead of the Captains.

The Pelicans started the first three innings with doubles, and Reynolds hit the first one. Francisco Leandro was hit by a pitch, and both runners stole a base before Antoin Gray walked. Marshall McDougall hit a comebacker to the pitcher, but he made a bad throw home and everyone was safe. Chase Burch followed with a two RBI single, and Adam Darby reached on an error by the first baseman. Dallas Christison hit a two RBI single of his own, and Reynolds hit a RBI triple in his second at bat of the inning. Leandro had his first official at bat to follow and singled to score Reynolds. Pelicans 8, El Paso 0.

To further support the Pelicans' newest pitcher, Kevin Cooper, Pensacola scored another run in the second inning, plating Marshall McDougall on Burch's second RBI single.

El Paso ended the shutout in the bottom of the second when Jeff Vincent hit a solo homer. The Pelicans responded in the top of the third with another leadoff double, Reynolds' second. Leandro switched places with him, and Leandro advanced to third on a groundout by Gray. McDougall lifted a fly to centerfield, and Leandro tagged and scored.

The Diablos earned those two runs right back in the third, but wouldn't score again until the bottom of the eighth. The Pelicans, meanwhile, added four more runs in the top of the seventh.

Leandro hit his third single of the night, Gray hit his first, and McDougall had his second double to plate Leandro. Rodriguez hit his second base knock to score Gray, and Burch brought in McDougall with his fourth hit in five at bats. Adam Darby grounded out to the shortstop, but Rodriguez scored on the play and the Pelicans led 15-3.

The Diablos tried to rally in the bottom of the eighth, but could only muster four runs on Pelicans reliever Joey Wedner. Ulysses Roque pitched a scoreless ninth and the Pelicans won 15-7.

The Pels will look for the sweep tomorrow as they throw LHP Adam Brandenburg against El Paso's RHP Justin Mallett. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 Central Time with all the action on NewsRadio 1620 and online via SportsJuice.com.

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American Association Stories from August 16, 2009


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