CarL1 Carolina Mudcats

Pelicans Prevail with 10-7 Series Finale Victory

Published on July 27, 2016 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release


MYRTLE BEACH, SC - Keith Curcio was 2-for-3 and hit a game tying two-run double in the eighth, but the Pelicans came back with three in the same inning while holding on for a 10-7 series finale victory against the Mudcats at TicketReturn.Com Field on Wednesday night.

Yasiel Balaguert homered twice for the Pelicans (54-49, 18-15) and was 3-for-5 with three RBI. His home run in the fourth broke a 1-1 tie and was the first of back-to-back homers hit off Carolina's starter Andrew Thurman. Donnie Dewees followed Balaguert with his first Carolina League home run and the Pelicans led 3-1 after the fourth.

Thurman also allowed a two-run home run to Balaguert in the fifth and finished with five runs allowed over five innings pitched. Myrtle Beach added on two more in the sixth against reliever Carlos Salazar (two runs, one earned) and led 7-1 after six.

Carolina (41-62, 12-21) eventually came back with three in the seventh and three in the eighth to tie the game, but Myrtle Beach finished the game by scoring three in the eighth against Zack Bird and led 10-7 before Ryan McNeil finished the game with a scoreless ninth while earning the save.

Bird (3-2, 8.53) took the loss despite originally working the end of the seventh without allowing a run. He gave up one hit in the seventh, but allowed three runs and two hits in the eighth while losing the 7-7 tie.

Charcer Burks broke the tie with a two-run triple in the eighth and was 2-for-5 with two RBI in the series finale victory for Myrtle Beach. Catcher Erick Castillo also had two hits and was 2-for-3 for Myrtle Beach.

Curcio's two-run double in the eighth tied the game at 7-7 and followed leadoff singles earlier in the inning by Reed Harper and Joseph Daris. Harper and Daris both had two hits in the loss and combined to score three runs.

Curcio also sparked the three run Carolina seventh after starting the inning with a single against reliever James Pugliese. Omar Obregon and Isaias Tejeda also singled in the seventh and Carolina managed to rally for a run while knocking Pugliese out of the game. Tommy Nance followed out of the bullpen and allowed two inherited runners to score while Carolina pulled within three at 7-4 before tying it in the eighth.

Pugliese allowed three runs and four hits over two innings and was the first reliever out of the pen after Jake Stinnett started and gave up just one unearned run on two hits over four plus.

Nance blew a save for the first time this season, but also earned the win after allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits over two innings pitched. Nance also struck out two and gave up four hits over two innings pitched. McNeil later worked the ninth and struck out one over a scoreless frame while earning the save.

Carolina was just 3-for-17 with runners in scoring position in the loss and left nine men on base. The loss dropped the Mudcats to six games back of Myrtle Beach in the second half standings.

The 2016 home slate continues on Thursday, July 28 when the Mudcats begin a new seven game home stand with Thirsty Thursday and game one of four against the Potomac Nationals. Friday, July 29 is Girl Scouts Night presented by Cutter, Muddy's Birthday Bash and Fireworks Night at Five County Stadium. Saturday, July 30 is Goldsboro Community Night presented by Clayton Homes and Christmas in July. Saturday's game features a Muddy the Mudcat souvenir bobblehead giveaway to the first 1,200 fans ages 14 and under and will begin at 6:00 p.m.. The next home stand also features a three game series versus the Winston-Salem Dash and includes fireworks on Sunday, July 31 and Gotta Catch 'Em All Night on Tuesday, August 2.

Carolina Mudcats games air over the radio on The Big Dawg 98.5 FM and are streamed online at www.carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio and the TuneIn Radio app. All home games are additionally streamed live in high definition video and live game audio via MiLB.tv.

Tickets to all Carolina Mudcats games are currently available by contacting a front office representative at (919) 269-CATS (2287) or by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com.

The Carolina Mudcats are the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. First established in 1991, the two-time Southern League Champion Carolina Mudcats are in their 26th consecutive season of baseball at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C.

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Carolina League Stories from July 27, 2016


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