Pelicans Preserve Division Lead With 6-3 Win
August 24, 2009 - American Association (AA)
Pensacola Pelicans News Release
The Pelicans picked up a much needed win on Sunday night, defeating the Diablos 6-3. On a night that saw the Captains and Air Hogs earn victories as well, the Pelicans earned the win they needed to remain three games ahead of Shreveport-Bossier, and three and a half games up on Grand Prairie. The Pelicans' magic number is now four as seven games remain in the regular season. Avoiding a sweep in the final game of the series, Pensacola had to fend off multiple El Paso attacks.
The Pelicans took an early two-run lead in the first inning. Francisco Leandro doubled and Kevin Reynolds hit him in and then stole second, scoring himself on a Chase Burch single. Yet the Diablos answered right back in the top of the second with two runs of their own.
Jeff Vincent continued to foil Pelicans' starter Randy Beam: after recording the lone knock in Beam's one-hitter during July, Vincent started off the second inning in this game with a solo home run. After Jerry Verastegui grounded out, Eddy Rodriguez went yard as well, and the game was tied.
Pensacola scored a run in the bottom of the fifth in their gritty style: Jason Diaz singled, stole second, and Kevin Reynolds drove him in. Diaz would end the evening with a single in each of his three plate appearances.
El Paso rallied to tie it in the very next frame, leading off the top of the sixth with an Hector Bernal double. Randy Beam would leave the game in the inning, finishing with five and a third innings pitched, allowing three runs on nine hits, walking two and striking out six. The third run scored when Juan Camacho singled off new pitcher Francisco Butto, advancing Bernal to the dish.
Butto would keep the Diablos shut down for the next few innings, leaving after recording the final out of the eighth. His only blemishes were three hits, which he overshadowed with four strikeouts.
The Pelicans provided Butto with run support in the bottom of the sixth. Antoin Gray singled, moved to second on a groundout, third on a wild pitch, and scored on a Marcos Rodriguez base hit.
An inning later Pensacola added insurance when Jason Diaz recorded his final hit to lead off the bottom of the seventh. Francisco Leandro put down his second sacrifice bunt to advance Diaz to second base, and Marshall McDougall provided a timely to hit to bring him home. After McDougall recorded his first steal in a Pelicans uniform, Antoin Gray doubled to drive McDougall in, and the Pelicans had the 6-3 lead that would go final.
Hunter Davis pitched the ninth inning, giving up a leadoff single, but after inducing a popup to third base and a 6-4-3 double play, the ballgame was over and Davis earned his twenty-first save.
Diaz went 3-3, scoring twice, and Reynolds ended the evening 2-4 driving in two. Gray and Rodriguez each went 2-4, driving in one; Gray hit a double.
The Pelicans travel overnight to Fort Worth where they start a three game series on Monday. The Pelicans will throw Aaron Jackson against Fort Worth's Ryan Riddle. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and all the action can be heard on NewsRadio 1620 and online via SportsJuice.com.
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American Association Stories from August 24, 2009
- Pelicans make statement with 13-0 win - Pensacola Pelicans
- Sixteen strikeouts help Captains keep pace with Pelicans - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- Captains too much for Diablos - El Paso Diablos
- Saltdogs rally twice, but fall in extras - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Wingnuts get milestone win in dramatic fashion - Wichita Wingnuts
- Pelicans hand Cats lopsided 13-0 loss - Fort Worth Cats
- American Association Recap - AA
- Grand Prairie routs St. Paul 1-0 in rubber match - Grand Prairie AirHogs
- Lawhorn, Harris join 100-hit club in 4-1 win - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Dickert pitches gem, but gets no help in 1-0 loss - St. Paul Saints
- Fan Appreciation Weekend at Pelican Park - Pensacola Pelicans
- Markray named pitcher of the week - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- Porter Wins Fourth Batter of the Week Award - Wichita Wingnuts
- Porter, Markray American Association Players Of The Week - AA
- Come to Fair Grounds Field this week - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- Saints to Give Away Commemorative "Moonwalkers" Friday, August 28 - St. Paul Saints
- Final Four Games This Weekend - St. Paul Saints
- Pelicans Preserve Division Lead With 6-3 Win - Pensacola Pelicans
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