CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Pelicans Start Playoffs With 6-4 Win Over Warthogs

Published on September 3, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


Myrtle Beach, S.C. - Behind another excellent performance by staff ace Scott Diamond, the Pelicans defeated the Winston-Salem Warthogs 6-4 in game one of the Southern Divisional series at BB&T Coastal Field in front of 2,130 fans. It was the Pelicans first Carolina League playoff game since the 2002 season.

A dynamite defensive play in the second dashed the hopes of the Warthogs getting off to a fast start. On a single to left field by Sergio Miranda, Brett Bonvechio came charging to the plate as Concepcion Rodriguez threw a dart to Tyler Flowers, who withstood the force of Bonvechio and held on to keep the game scoreless.

After two scoreless innings, the Pelicans bottom third of the order ignited the offense. Concepcion Rodriguez singled up the middle to start the frame. Then, Jon Mark Owings ripped a double to left field to put runners at second and third. Warthogs starter Matt Long followed by offering a wild pitch that allowed Rodriguez to score. Gorkys Hernandez then smashed a fastball over Land Shark Landing to give the Birds a 3-0 lead. It was his first home run since July 31st.

The Warthogs responded in the fifth. Greg Paiml and Sergio Miranda started the inning with back-to-back singles. Then, on a sacrifice bunt by Francisco Hernandez, Pelicans starter Scott Diamond committed an error to load the bases. C.J. Retherford connected on a long fly ball to deep center that scored Paiml. Salvador Sanchez followed with a fly ball to right field, deep enough to bring home Miranda.

In the bottom half of the fifth, the Pelicans rebuilt their three run cushion. Jason Heyward led off with a flare double to left-center field that spun away from left fielder Ronnie Gaines. Later in the inning, Gorkys Hernandez singled back up the box to score Heyward to give the Pelicans a 4-2 lead. The Pelicans added another run as Eric Campbell bounced to short, which allowed Rodriguez to score.

The Warthogs chipped away in the eighth and ninth innings but ultimately fell short. In the eighth, Brett Bonvechio drove home Ronnie Gaines, who reached first on a fielder's choice and second on an error by Travis Jones. In the ninth, C.J. Retherford singled up the middle to score Sergio Miranda to pull within two runs. Ferdin Tejeda remained calm and retired the next two hitters to finish off the Warthogs.

Scott Diamond (13-2, 1-0) went seven strong innings to earn his 13th win of the season. The Warthogs managed just two runs on five hits. Diamond registered four strikeouts and walked two. Warthogs starter Matt Long was saddled with the loss.

The Pelicans play game two against the Winston-Salem Warthogs on Thursday, September 4th at 7:05 p.m. LHP Carlos Rivas (6-4, 5.20) will make the start for the Pelicans, while the Warthogs will counter with RHP John Ely (10-12, 4.71).

Great seats still remain for game two of the Southern Divisional series at BB&T Coastal Field. To secure your seats, call the Pelicans Box Office at 843-918-6000 or visit the Pelicans online at MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

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Carolina League Stories from September 3, 2008


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