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Pels Come Back in Ninth after Leading By Eight

July 24, 2009 - American Association (AA)
Pensacola Pelicans News Release


Pensacola thought they had scored enough runs to win after two innings, but their eight runs were only enough to trail 9-8 entering the ninth inning. The Pelicans scored the two more runs necessary to defeat Sioux City 10-9 on Thursday night to take 1-0 series lead.

The Pelicans had five runs before the first out of the game was recorded. Antoin Gray led off the contest by reaching on an error by the shortstop. Francisco Leandro followed with a walk, and Chase Burch singled to load the bases, with Antoin Gray scoring on another error by the shortstop. When Marcos Rodriguez singled, Leandro scored and the Pelicans had some insurance. The Pels added some features to their policy when Lou Palmisano crushed his first home run of the year, a three-run shot that put Pensacola ahead 5-0.

Antoin Gray led off the second inning by walking, and Leandro singled. After Burch reached on fielder's choice, Gray and Burch were on the corners for Rodriguez. Rodriguez scored them both by ripping a double. Palmisano added another run against his former team by batting in Rodriguez on a ground out to third, making the score 8-0.

Sioux City started to respond in the bottom of the second inning, with Luis Figueroa walking and Jason Colson singling. Brett Mieras scored Figueroa with a base hit, and Dustin Jones scored Colson from third with a sacrifice fly to right field.

The Explorers added another run in the third, as James Boone hit a base knock, stole second, and scored on a Colson rip to make the score 8-3 Pelicans.

The X's pulled within one by scoring four runs in the fourth inning. Greg Stevens singled to start the frame, and Mieras reached on an error by the first baseman. Dustin Jones reached on a bunt-single, and then they started scoring: Nick McCoola scored Stevens and Mieras with a single, and Alex Llanos scored Jones and McCoola with a double.

Sioux City tied the game and took the lead following the seventh-inning stretch. With one out, Colson singled, then moved to second when Tyler Wilson balked. Derek Schermerhorn batted in a run with a single. Greg Stevens reached on a fielder's choice that retired Schermerhorn. On a Mieras double, Stevens scored, and the Explorers took a 9-8 lead.

The X's brought in their closer Brett Reid for the top of the ninth. On the season, opponents were hitting .196 against Reid, but apparently nobody told the Pelicans. Gray led off the ninth with a single, and moved to second on a Leandro sacrifice bunt. Gray tied the game when he came home following a Burch single that allowed Burch to take second on the throw. Rodriguez singled to push Burch to third, and Burch came home with the winning run on a fielder's choice by Lou Palmisano, Palmisano's fifth RBI of the game.

Hunter Davis retired the Explorers in the bottom of the ninth, allowing only a walk while striking out one. Randy Beam started the game for the Pels but lasted just three innings, allowing seven runs (six earned) on ten hits with three walks. Aaron Jackson provided necessary relief, pitching 2.2 scoreless innings, allowing just two base runners on a walk and a hit, striking out a batter. Tyler Wilson pitched an inning and a third, allowing two earned runs on three hits. Ron Hill earned his second win of the year by pitching a perfect eighth, striking out one. Hunter Davis picked up his fifteenth save of the year with his performance in the ninth.

From the plate, the Pelicans saw Palmisano hit his first jack of the year for three of his five RBI on the night. Leandro went 1-2 while walking twice and putting down a necessary sacrifice bunt. Chase Burch went 3-5 while scoring three times, and Rodriguez went 3-5 while scoring three runners (two coming from his double) and touching home twice himself.

The Pelicans face the Explorers again tomorrow for a 7:05 p.m. start. The Pelicans will throw LHP Jason Navarro against former Pelican and current Sioux City righty, Nick Singleton. All the action can be heard on Pelicans' flagship station NewsRadio 1620, or online via SportsJuice.com.

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