"Say Hey Willie James," Pelicans Win in Extra's
June 13, 2005 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release
MYRTLE BEACH, SC- Pelicans SS Willie James came through with a clutch defensive play to save a run in the top of the 9th inning, and then delivered the game-winning base hit in the bottom of the 11th to give the Pelicans an instant 7-6 win, in a wild one, at Coastal Federal Field on Monday night.
Salem put the first run of the ballgame on the board within the first two pitches. Salem 2B Osvaldo Fernando ripped his first homerun of the season, in the first at-bat of the game, giving the Av's an early 1-0 edge. The Avalanche went on to plate another run in the opening inning thanks to an RBI single off the bat of 3B Saul Torres, jumping the lead to 2-0. Salem's lead didn't last long though as the Pelicans took the lead in the bottom of the 1st inning when LF Josh Burrus hammered a deep drive over the leftfield wall, his 8th blast of the year, putting the Pelicans on top 3-2.
In the top of the 2nd the Avalanche regained the lead, 4-3, thanks to an RBI single from SS Edwin Maysonet, and another run scoring base hit from DH Mario Garza.
With Salem on top 4-3 in the 3rd, the Pelicans tied up the ballgame when RF Matt Esquivel delivered an RBI double to left, bringing Burrus across with the tying run. Burrus reached on a single earlier in the inning. The Birds added another run in the bottom of the 4th thanks to a defensive miscue by Torres at third. The error allowed LF Ardley Jansen, who singled to reach, to come across the dish making the score 5-4. An inning later the Pelicans padded their lead thanks to an RBI double from All-Star C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, bringing the score to 6-4. The double plated Burrus for the third time in the game after the Pelicans DH started the inning with a lead-off walk.
Myrtle Beach held onto their two-run lead until the top of the 8th when Salem chipped away at the deficit. CF Ervin Alcantara led off with a single, and advanced to second on a walk drawn by C Kevin Davidson. Then the Avalanche played their version of small ball to score Alcantara. A sacrifice bunt from Fernando, followed by an RBI sacrifice fly off the bat of Maysonet brought Alcantara across the plate and cut into the Birds lead, 6-5. The Av's weren't done yet as they tied the game up in the top of the 9th thanks to an RBI triple from Torres, pushing the game into extra frames, 6-6.
In the bottom of the 11th Saltalamacchia roped a lead-off double and advanced to third on a ground out with two outs. With "Salty" just 90 feet away and two down it was James that scorched a bouncer down the third base line, which was gloved by a diving Torres, but the throw to first was late and Saltalamacchia touched home with the game-winning run, giving Myrtle Beach a 7-6 walk-of winner.
Pelicans reliever, Ralph Roberts (W, 3-3) was credited with the win after tossing three innings out of the pen. He went from a blown save, to a win. Starter, Jake Stevens lasted six innings that saw him allow four runs (three earned) on nine hits, while striking out five. Salem reliever, Blake Allen (L, 1-2) took the loss after giving up the game-winning run in the bottom of the 11th.
The Pelicans are in the midst of a 10-game homestand, with game two of a four-game series against the Salem Avalanche scheduled for tomorrow at 7:02 pm. Tickets are available by calling 843-918-6000 or by ordering online at www.myrtlebeachpelicans.com. The first 1,000 fans to enter will receive a FREE Autographed Travel Mug Courtesy of Hardee's and K-Country 103.1 FM.
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAL Digital, WRAL-FM, Microspace, the North Carolina News Network, DTV Plus and Wolfpack Sports Marketing in Raleigh, NC; WJZY-TV and WWWB-TV in Charlotte, NC; WILM-TV in Wilmington, NC; WRAZ-TV and The Durham Bulls in Durham, NC; the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Baseball Club in Myrtle Beach, SC; and various real estate interests in North Carolina.
Carolina League Stories from June 13, 2005
- Pinckney, Schilling Complete Kinston Comeback - Kinston Indians
- Rocks open up series in Potomac with victory - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- "Say Hey Willie James," Pelicans Win in Extra's - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Keys' five-game win streak snapped - Frederick Keys
- Kinston Indians notes - Kinston Indians
- Two Blue Rocks promoted to Portland - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Henry Mateo on rehab assignment with the Potomac Nationals - Potomac Nationals
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