CarL1 Salem RidgeYaks

Pelicans Walk off with Dramatic 3-2 Victory

Published on August 24, 2010 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem RidgeYaks News Release


Myrtle Beach, SC (August 24, 2010) - Pelicans right-fielder Luis Sumoza hammered a line drive into the right-center field gap with two outs in the bottom of ninth, easily scoring Jordan Kreke from second base, to propel Myrtle Beach to a 3-2 triumph in the series opener against the Red Sox. Sumoza, once a Red Sox farmhand, had also driven in the tying run with an RBI single in the seventh, and the Venezuelan outfielder was mobbed by his teammates in between first and second after he delivered the second Pelican walk-off knock in the past four days at BB&T Coastal Field. With the win, Myrtle Beach inched to within a half game of Salem in the second-half playoff chase. Rained out Kinston remained one game out.

The late inning dramatics from Sumoza spoiled a sensational start for Salem righthander Caleb Clay, who tossed six superb innings for the Red Sox. Clay struck out a season-high six batters and allowed just one run in the six frames, yet received a no-decision. The Pelicans plated one run against Seth Garrison in the seventh inning and won the game when Will Latimer gave up consecutive two-out hits in the ninth.

Salem jumped on top with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning against Myrtle Beach starter Paul Clemens. Tim Federowicz muscled a one-out RBI double that made it 1-0, and three batters later, Drew Hedman's second double of the game plated Federowicz and gave the Red Sox a 2-0 edge. Hedman finished the game as the only Red Sock with multiple hits on the night.

Pelicans catcher Matt Kennelly sliced the deficit in half with a solo homer against Clay in the sixth, and Sumoza slapped a clutch two-out single against Garrison in the seventh to even the score at two. In the ninth inning, the game remained tied and the bases were empty with two outs. But Kreke crushed a double into the left-field corner to prolong the frame, and Sumoza smoked a sinking liner that bisected Peter Hissey and Mitch Dening in the outfield. Sumoza could have gotten a double or perhaps a triple from his gapper, but his euphoric teammates surrounded him before he reached second, earning Sumoza a walk-off single.

The Pelicans bullpen dominated the Red Sox with five strikeouts and only one hit allowed in three scoreless innings. Jason Lowey picked up his first win as a Bird, striking out four in two innings.

Salem and Myrtle Beach continue their three-game series on Wednesday night, with Michael Lee scheduled to come off the disabled list to make the start for the Red Sox. Brett Oberholtzer is slated to get the ball for the Pelicans, with the first pitch set for 7:05 at BB&T Coastal Field.

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Carolina League Stories from August 24, 2010


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