Pelicans Sweep Cats With 3-2 Win

Published on July 5, 2009 under American Association (AA)
Pensacola Pelicans News Release


FORT WORTH, TX- After last night's 13-inning marathon, the Pelicans and Cats finished a 3-2 Pelicans' win in 2 hours and 38 minutes Sunday night. The win was the Pelicans' fourth straight and gave Pensacola a series sweep over Fort Worth.

Randy Beam started the game for Pensacola and earned his fourth win by going six innings, allowing just two hits, one run, six walks, and two strikeouts. Fort Worth starter Joel Kirsten pitched eight innings, giving up 11 hits, three runs (one earned), and struck out four of his five victims looking. He issued just one walk in his third loss of the year.

The Pelicans scored first in the top of the third. Dallas Christison reached on an error by the shortstop and moved to second when Francisco Leandro singled. Antoin Gray hit his 42nd RBI of the year on a base hit that scored Christison, and the Pelicans were on the board.

They would add another run in the fifth when Lester Contreras led off with a single. Christison followed him with his first of two hits, and both runners moved to second and third when Leandro put down a sacrifice bunt. Antoin Gray hit RBI number 43 of the year on a single that scored Contreras and gave the Pelicans a 2-0 margin.

The Pels added their last, though most important, run in the sixth inning. Rodriguez started the frame with his second hit of the night, having already extended his hitting streak to 19 games. After Lou Palmisano singled, both runners moved up on a passed ball. Adam Deleo hit a sacrifice fly to center, and Rodriguez touched home to put the Pelicans up 3-0.

The Cats started to close the gap with a run in the bottom of the sixth. Patrick O'Sullivan reached on a fielder's choice and then stole second. With two out, Kelley Gulledge hit a RBI single that scored O'Sullivan and closed the gap to two.

Ron Hill came on to pitch the seventh and eighth innings, allowing one run on a hit. He walked one and struck out two, as the Cats scored in the bottom of the seventh. Chuck Carter walked and then scored on a RBI double by Brian Fryer. The score was 3-2 Pelicans heading into the ninth inning.

Taylor Parker relieved Joel Kirsten and recorded a strikeout and fly out before Contreras singled. He moved to second on a wild pitch, but was stranded when a groundout to shortstop ended the inning.

Hunter Davis retired the Cats in order in the bottom of the ninth, recording his 30th strikeout on the year while picking up his 11th save. With the win, the Pelicans swept the Cats and improved to .500 on the year.

July 5 marks the end of the first half of the American Association season. The Cats clinched the South Division crown on June 26 and are guaranteed a playoff spot. If the Cats win the second half as well, the team with the best full-season record will take on the Cats in the playoffs. Pensacola currently holds such designation in the South Division. The Pelicans will have Monday off before beginning a six-game home stand against the El Paso Diablos from Tuesday through Sunday. Ticket information is available at www.pensacolapelicans.com.

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American Association Stories from July 5, 2009


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