CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Pelicans Win Battle of First Place Teams

Published on May 9, 2014 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


WOODBRIDGE, VA. (MAY 8, 2014) - The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Texas Rangers, scored seven runs in the first two innings on their way to a 10-4 win over the Potomac Nationals at G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium on Thursday night. Chi Chi Gonzalez surrendered two runs in seven frames en route to his third win in three starts, and Jorge Alfaro finished a double shy of the cycle.

Potomac starter Brett Mooneyham tossed five innings of one-run ball his first time out against the Pelicans this season. On Thursday, he lasted just 1.1 innings and surrendered seven runs on seven base hits and a pair of walks.

Myrtle Beach (20-12) got RBI singles from Alfaro and Nick Williams in the first to take an early 2-0 lead. After Gonzalez got out of a first inning jam with one of two double plays turned by the Pelicans, the offense unloaded on Mooneyham in the second.

Five of the first six batters reached against the southpaw, who didn't make it out of the inning. With a 3-0 lead and two men on base, Alfaro launched a 3-1 pitch over the batter's eye in center field for his third home run, extending the lead to 6-0. A single from Joey Gallo ended the night for Mooneyham.

The ninth man to bat in the inning, Hanser Alberto, singled home Gallo off of reliever Wander Suero to close the book on Mooneyham.

Suero settled in for Potomac (18-12) and Gonzalez cruised. The Pelicans right-hander allowed a single, a walk, and two men reached on error from the second through the fifth inning. Beginning the game with five shutout innings, he extended his scoreless streak to 15 innings.

When he came back out for the sixth inning, the Pelicans led 6-0. After four scoreless from Suero, Myrtle Beach scored a run in the sixth on a single from Odubel Herrera, a double from Christopher Bostick and an RBI fielder's choice from Royce Bolinger.

Stephen Perez singled to begin the home half of the sixth off of Gonzalez, his second single and just third off of the starter on the night. After a fly out for the first out, Brandon Miller connected for his division-leading ninth home run. The two-run homer cut the deficit to 6-2.

Both teams scored a pair of runs in the eighth, and the Pelicans won 10-4. Gonzalez (3-3) won his third consecutive start, while Mooneyham (2-3) suffered the defeat.

With the win, the Pelicans stand alone with the best record in the Carolina League and are the first team to 20 wins.

The two teams play head-to-head again Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Sam Wolff (3-3, 2.80 ERA) aims to end his two-start losing streak against Dakota Bacus (1-1, 2.53 ERA), who makes his second start of the season for the P-Nats. The game can be heard live on WRNN AM 1450 ESPN Myrtle Beach, on the TuneIn Radio App, and via the MiLB First Pitch App, beginning with the Hampton Inn Pregame Show at 6:45 a.m.

The next Pelicans home game is Monday, May 12, when the Birds begin a seven-game homestand with three games against the Winston-Salem Dash. First pitch for Monday night is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Season Seats, Mini Plans, Flex Books, and single game tickets are available to see the Pelicans in 2014. For more information on tickets, please call (843) 918-6002, e-mail info@myrtlebeachpelicans.com, visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com, or visit the Pelicans box office, which is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Carolina League Stories from May 9, 2014


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