CarL Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Pelicans Rally for Five-Run Ninth to Defeat GreenJackets 8-4

Published on July 28, 2022 under Carolina League (CarL)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


Down by one run in the top of the ninth, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans scored five runs to defeat the Augusta GreenJackets 8-4 on Thursday night. The comeback victory pushed the Pelicans to a 62-31 record and 15-12 in the second half. The GreenJackets fell to 45-46 with their second loss of the week and 9-16 in the second half. It was the 28th comeback win for the Pelicans this season.

For the second straight game, Kevin Alcantara (2-4, 3 RBI, BB) led the Birds in RBI including a two-run double in the ninth. Ezequiel Pagan (2-5, 2B, 2 RBI) hit the go-ahead two-run double to take the lead in the top of the ninth. Alejandro Rivero (2-4, RBI) also brought in a run with a multi-hit game.

Angel Hernandez (2-1) took the win with 1 2/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen and four strikeouts. Reliever Jose Miguel Gonzalez gave up all four earned runs in his 3 2/3 innings off four hits and two walks but struck out a career-high eight batters.

The GreenJackets collected five hits with three being extra including two solo home runs from Francisco Floyd (1-3, HR, RBI, BB) and Victor De Hoyos (1-4, HR, RBI). Braulio Vasquez (2-4) posted the only multi-hit performance for Augusta with a pair of singles.

Rob Griswold (3-4) gave up the five-run ninth with four runs being earned to take the loss and the blown save. Griswold allowed two hits and walked two in his inning outing. Starter Luis Vargas lasted just under five innings with a pair of earned runs off three hits and two walks with five strikeouts.

The Pelicans took an early lead with two runs coming in the top of the second. With runners on first and second, Ethan Hearn lined a double to center field to score Jacob Wetzel and put runners on second and third. Alejandro Rivero followed with a sacrifice fly to left to give the Birds a 2-0 lead.

Another run wouldn't score until the bottom of the sixth as Augusta tied the game. With Eliezel Stevens on third following his leadoff triple, Geraldo Quintero grounded out to first as Stevens scored. Floyd followed with his first home run of the year on a solo shot to left field that tied the game 2-2.

Myrtle Beach grabbed the lead back quickly in the top of the seventh. Pagan singled to left and advanced to second on a throwing error by left fielder Connor Blair to move into scoring position with two outs. He moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on Alcantara's line-drive single to left field to give the Pelicans a 3-2 advantage.

Augusta took their first lead with a two-run bottom of the eighth. De Hoyos led off by taking the first pitch of the inning over the wall in left field for a solo home run to even the game. After two walks, Gonzalez was taken out of the game for Hernandez. The lefty hit the first batter he faced to load the bases and also hit Brandon Parker to score a run and give the GreenJackets a 4-3 lead heading to the ninth.

As Griswold game into the game in the final frame, the Pelicans jumped on the new pitcher from the start. Josue Huma pinch-hit and drew a walk to start the inning. Juan Mora followed by reaching base on a fielder's choice as Huma went to third on a missed catch error by Stevens at second base. Parker Chavers followed by reaching on a fielder's choice to load the bases. Pagan lined a double down the left field line to score two runs and put the Pelicans back on top 5-4. Alcantara cleared the bases on a double to left that extended the lead to 7-4. Alcantara moved to third on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch for the game's final run.

The GreenJackets went down in order as Hernandez struck out two to end the game.

Friday night will feature game four of the series as the Pelicans have a 2-1 lead. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

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Carolina League Stories from July 28, 2022


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