Pelicans to face off against division leaders

July 13, 2006 - American Association (AA)
Pensacola Pelicans News Release


Pensacola and Coastal Bend have played 10 games against each other this season with each team winning five. The Pelicans have won five of the last six meetings, including a three-game sweep of the Aviators at Pelican Park June 23-25. The Aviators are 8-1 in the second half, leading the Southern Division, and are winners of their last seven. The Pelicans find themselves in fifth place and in a twogame slide. However, the last time Coastal Bend visited Pelican Park in first place they were swept.

The Pelican hitting continues to be productive as the team leads the league with a .292 batting average and 72 stolen bases. They are second with 304 runs scored and third with 38 homeruns. The Pensacola pitching staff is fourth with a respectable 4.19 team ERA and third with 386 strikeouts. Closer Tony Pierce is second in the league in saves and has closed out his last 13 opportunities, while maintaining a 0.83 ERA and striking out 36 hitters.

Coastal Bend has started out the second half of the season on fire, after dropping 13 of their last 14 to end the first half. They missed out on a division title they should have won and want to atone for their poor play. First baseman Byron Smith, second baseman Matt Creighton, shortstop Jack Joffrion, and outfielder Brian Fryer each have at least six RBI over their last 10 games as the Aviators have scored 52 runs over that span.

WHO TO WATCH:

Pensacola: Carlos Mendoza - SS - Is hitting .436 against the Aviators this season with 17 hits, six RBI and nine runs scored. He is fifth in the league with a .346 batting average and leads the Pelicans with 17 stolen bases. Benny Walker - RP - Has given up only one run in his last five outings in relief, throwing 3.2 innings and picking up a win.

Coastal Bend: Steve Morales -C- Is batting .333 against Pelican pitching this season with three homeruns, he has driven in five runs and scored eight . Pedro Flores-SP- Was honored as the pitcher of the week, for his performances last week, in the American Association. He picked up two wins in 14 innings, giving up only 7 hits and no runs while striking out 12.



American Association Stories from July 13, 2006


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