CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Pelicans Run Away from Dash, Can Clinch Thursday

Published on June 17, 2015 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (JUNE 17, 2015) - Following a shutout win on Tuesday night, The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, scored the final five runs on Wednesday to topple the Winston-Salem Dash 5-2 on at BB&T Ballpark in the final road game of the first half. The Salem Red Sox also won on Tuesday, so the Magic Number to clinch the first-half Southern Division Championship is now two. With a win at home on Thursday and a loss from Salem, the Pelicans can clinch the first-half title.

Winston-Salem (28-37) held their lead until sixth, as starter James Dykstra cruised through the first five innings of shutout ball. Mark Zagunis singled to open the contest against Dyskstra, but the Birds didn't collect another hit until sixth.

Pitching with a 2-0 lead to begin the sixth, Dykstra allowed the Pelicans (38-27) back into it. They tagged him for three runs on five hits in the sixth inning. Trey Martin opened the rally with a one-out liner off of Dykstra's glove. Mark Zagunis then laced a triple to right field to drive him in from first base. After a strikeout of Pin-Chieh Chen, Chesny Young extended his hitting streak to a career-best 10 games with a sharp single to right field, tying the game up at 2-2.

Jeimer Candelario and Jacob Rogers then singled back-to-back to put the Pelicans ahead for good at 3-2.

Myrtle Beach tacked on another run in the eighth and scored an unearned marker in the ninth to pull ahead by the final score of 5-2.

The come-from-behind win flipped the script on a dominant first-half of the game by Winston-Salem.

Just one out into the bottom of the first, Dash second baseman Jake Peter extended his hit streak to a league-best 20 games and put Winston-Salem on top with a solo home run into the seats in right field.

The Dash put a runner on in the second and loaded the bases in the third but failed to score again until the fifth against Pelicans right-hander Fernando Cruz, making his second career start. Peter extended the lead to 2-0 on a sacrifice fly in the fifth, ending Cruz's night. The converted infielder went 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs, earned, on five hits and two walks. He struck out three.

Juan Paniagua (2-1, 2.2 IP) and James Pugliese (5, 2.0 IP) combined for 4 2/3 perfect innings of relief for the win and save respectively.

The Pelicans complete the first half with a league-best 24-11 record on the road.

The Pelicans now return home for their final homestand of the first half, hosting the Lynchburg Hillcats for a four-game series. The set begins on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. Myrtle Beach sends Tyler Skulina (2-4, 3.27 ERA) to the bump opposite right-hander D.J. Brown (4-2, 4.42 ERA).

The game can be heard live, presented by Courtyard Myrtle Beach at Barefoot Landing, on 1450 WRNN-AM ESPN Myrtle Beach, on the TuneIn Radio App, and via the MiLB First Pitch App, beginning with the Pregame Show at 6:45 p.m. ET. The game will also air along with live streaming video on MiLB.tv (subscription required).

Thursday is also Thirsty Thursday, presented by Celebrations Nitelife, 96.1 WKZQ, and WBTW News 13. Fans 21 years-old and older can enjoy $1.00 12 oz. Bud and Bud Light draughts, and $2.00 16 oz. cans from 6:00-8:00 p.m. ET. It will also be a Redneck Night featuring a Redneck Wedding, presented by Wave 104.1.

The 2015 season marks the 17th season for the Pelicans franchise and first as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2015, please call (843) 918-6000, e-mail info@myrtlebeachpelicans.com, or visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

Check out the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Carolina League Stories from June 17, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central