Strasburg Dazzles, P-Nats Bullpen Finishes Job
Published on August 12, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release
WOODBRIDGE, VA - Rehabbing Washington Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg was as good as advertised for a sellout crowd at Potomac's G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium, blanking the Pelicans over three electrifying innings, and a trio of P-Nats arms carried his weekend squad the rest of the way as the Nationals took down Myrtle Beach by the slimmest of margins with a 1-0 win on Friday night.
Though he only pitched a third of the game, Strasburg, obviously, was the story of the night. Just over eleven months removed from Tommy John surgery, the phenom right-hander and first overall pick of the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft flashed the blistering fastball and jaw-dropping breaking and offspeed pitches he showcased last year in an impressive pre-injury big league debut season while facing 12 Pelicans batters on Friday. Strasburg struck out Leury Garcia leading off the night and got a Jared Bolden groundout before allowing the Pelicans' first hit of the evening on Travis Adair's infield single to short. He got out of the first one batter later when Jared Prince's fielder's choice grounder cut down Adair to end the frame. In the second, it was another leadoff strikeout followed by another infield single, this one by the similarly named Ryan Strausborger. After Strasburg caught Jared Hoying looking at a devastating curveball for his third K, Santiago Chirino reached on an error charged to Potomac second baseman Jeff Kobernus to put runners at first and second with two outs. Strasburg snuffed the meager threat with an Andres James pop out to end the second.
In the third, the 23-year-old simply dominated three overmatched Pelicans at the top of the order. Garcia and Bolden struck out swinging before Adair's grounder back to the mound ended Strasburg's day. 33 pitches, 26 strikes, and one successful rehab appearance later, and the Washington ace departed to a roaring standing ovation from the 8,619 in attendance at "the Pfitz."
On the other side, the Pelicans were getting an impressive start from their own righty. Wilfredo Boscan blanked the Nationals for five innings before allowing one unearned run in the sixth. Boscan (4-10) allowed a two-out single to Archie Gilbert with Destin Hood at third to break the scoreless duel and give the Nationals the only run they'd need.
Myrtle Beach's offensive woes, emblematic of an up-and-down second half, continued against three Potomac relievers. Evan Bronson (4-3) carried Strasburg's shutout four innings further, and Josh Smoker and former Rangers farmhand Hector Nelo (S, 15) combined to pitch the final two innings for the slim 1-0 win.
A night after plating 12 runs on 13 hits, the Pelicans were held scoreless on seven on this day. The Nats' relievers followed Strasburg's lead, not issuing a walk through six combined innings. The staff combined for four Ks to add to Strasburg's five, as well. Myrtle Beach went an anemic 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position in taking their seventh shutout defeat of the second half. The Birds were whitewashed just once in the entirety of their Southern Division title-winning first half.
The Pelicans look to achieve at least a series split when this four-game set continues Saturday night at Pfitzner Stadium. Myrtle Beach will send right-hander Kennil Gomez (2-2, 3.65) against Potomac's Paul Demny (7-10, 4.94) with first pitch slated for 6:35 p.m.
Tickets for all Pelicans home games can be purchased by visiting the BB&T Coastal Field box office, the Tickets page at MyrtleBeachPelicans.com, or by calling (843)918-6000 or (877)918-TIXX.
Carolina League Stories from August 12, 2011
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- Early Burst Sets Back 'Cats - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Strasburg Dazzles, P-Nats Bullpen Finishes Job - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Rivera Erratic in Cl Debut; Sox Fall 6-2 - Salem Red Sox
- Salem Breaks Up Shutout with Pair in the Eighth - Salem Red Sox
- All-Around Performance in 6-2 K-Tribe Win - Kinston Indians
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- Pelicans Game Notes - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
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