CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Pelicans Starter Scott Diamond Turns in Seven Inning Gem

Published on May 30, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


Myrtle Beach, S.C. - The Myrtle Beach Pelicans (34-20) replaced the memory of a heartbreaking loss in game two of their doubleheader last night with a dominating 7-1 victory over the Keys in the series opener tonight. Trailing 1-0 after a half inning, the Pelicans plated seven unanswered runs to blow out the Keys. The Pelicans have won eight of their last nine games to trim their magic number to claim the first half championship to 10.

The Keys grabbed an early lead in the top of the first. Pelicans starter Scott Diamond got off to a rocky start by walking Chris Amador and hitting Ryan McCarthy with a pitch. After a lined single by Matt Wieters loaded the bases, Brandon Tripp hit a sacrifice fly to left-center to bring home Amador.

The Pelicans pushed ahead of the Keys in the second inning. Ernesto Mejia led off by scorching a double to the left field corner. An error by shortstop Ryan McCarthy on a Travis Jones groundball put runners at the corners with nobody out. Tyler Flowers followed with a hard hit infield single to bring home Mejia. Later in the inning, Jon Mark Owings connected on an RBI single to score Jones, which gave the Pelicans a 2-1 advantage.

In the third, the Pelicans used the home run ball to bury the Keys. Willie Cabrera led off the frame with a sharp single back up the box. After Ernesto Mejia reached on a hit-by-pitch, Travis Jones launched his eighth home run of the season deep into the night to give the Pelicans a 5-1 lead. For the first time this season, the Pelicans recorded back-to-back home runs as Tyler Flowers followed Jones's lead with a line drive homer over the right field wall. The Pelicans increased their Carolina League leading home run total to 53. The back-breaking inning continued as Jon Mark Owings hit his first triple of the season to the right-center field alley. Gorkys Hernandez followed by ripping a line drive to the left field corner to score Owings.

Offensively, the Pelicans were anchored by Tyler Flowers, who went 4-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Willie Cabrera also had a big night, going 3-5 with a run scored.

The Pelicans offense gave Scott Diamond more than he needed. The southpaw earned his second win of the season in seven stellar innings of duty. Diamond gave up just four hits and one run, while striking out six. Carlos Rivas came on for Diamond in the eighth and moped up the Keys in two perfect innings. Keys starter Jake Renshaw was hit with his third loss of the season, lasting just 2.2 innings.

The Pelicans tighten their cleats for game two on Saturday, May 31st at 7:05. RHP Kyle Cofield (2-4, 3.02) will make the start for Myrtle Beach, while the Keys will send RHP Jake Arrieta (5-1, 1.78) to the hill.

For tickets to game two or any of the remaining home games at BB&T Coastal Field, call the Pelicans Box Office at 843-918-6000 or visit us online at MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

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Carolina League Stories from May 30, 2008


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