Six Run First Dooms Carolina in Series Opening 6-2 Loss
August 20, 2019 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release
MYRTLE BEACH, SC - Pat McInerney went 3-for-4 with two doubles, Rob Henry went 1-for-4 with a RBI and two outfield assists and relievers Matt Hardy and Cody Beckman combined to throw five and 1/3 scoreless frames with eight strikeouts, but the Mudcats lost game one of a three game series in Myrtle Beach as the Pelicans scored six runs in the first en route to a 6-2 victory on Tuesday night in Myrtle Beach.
The Pelicans (30-27, 51-63) rallied for six runs and five hits in the first while taking a commanding 6-0 lead in the opening frame. Starter Christian Taugner allowed all six runs and all five hits in the first while taking the loss for the Mudcats (23-34, 62-64). Carolina later scored once in the fourth and once more in the seventh, but ended up dropping the series opener 6-2 while falling to 2-2 in their current road trip.
Taugner (L, 5-9, 5.33) began the game with two straight walks before allowing three straight hits to Grant Fennell and Miguel Amaya while seeing three runs score. The Pelicans then added to their lead with a RBI single from Delvin Zinn and, after another walk, a two-run double to Aramis Ademan. Carolina managed to retire a runner at home on Ademan's double and Henry's first of two outfield assists in the game, but Kevonte Mitchell immediately followed with a run scoring hit while knocking Taugner out of the game.
Carolina eventually came back a bit with a run in the fourth on a RBI single from Henry and a run in the seventh after Wes Rogers forced in McInerney on a force. McInerney led the way for the Mudcats after totaling two doubles and going 3-for-4 with a run. Both of his doubles were hit off Pelicans' starter Brailyn Marquez, while his single later in the sixth was off reliever Scott Effross.
Marquez (W, 3-0, 0.59) earned the win after holding Carolina to just the one run on five hits over five and 1/3 innings. He also walked one and struck out six. Effross followed and worked through the next inning and 2/3 while allowing a run and three hits. Manny Rodriguez later finished the game with two scoreless frames and three strikeouts.
The Pelicans rallied for six runs and five hits in the first, but totaled just five hits the rest of the way while being held scoreless through the remainder of the game. Taugner allowed all six of the early Myrtle Beach runs while working through his shortest professional start. He also walked three and allowed six earned runs while reaching 38 pitches (25 strikes) and facing just nine batters.
Hardy was the first reliever up out of the pen for Carolina and went on to toss three and 1/3 scoreless frames following Taugner. He originally took over in the first and left an inherited runner on base before going on to pitch through the fourth with two hits, one walk and five strikeouts.
Beckman followed Hardy and worked through three scoreless frames while also scattering two hits and totaling three strikeouts. He also faced just 10 batters over his three scoreless frames in relief.
Peter Strzelecki worked the final inning for Carolina and struck out two while allowing one hit and facing four batters.
The series will continue on Wednesday night in Myrtle Beach with RHP Matt Smith starting for the Mudcats. The game will begin at 7:05 p.m. in Myrtle Beach and will air on the Mudcats Radio Network, The Big Dawg 98.5 FM and online at carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio.
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