Three Homers, Pitching Lead Birds to Second-Straight Win
April 18, 2019 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The Myrtle Beach Pelicans bats exploded for nine runs on 13 hits in a 9-0 win over the Lynchburg Hillcats on Thursday night from Calvin Falwell Field at City Stadium.
The Pelicans (4-11) wasted no time against Lynchburg (9-6) starter Juan Hillman (1-2) in the opening game of the four-game series, as the Birds tagged him for five runs on three hits in the opening frame.
Myrtle Beach loaded the bases in the first and scored their first run of the game on a sacrifice fly from Cam Balego to make it 1-0.
With runners on first and second and two outs, Tyler Payne scorched a ball to third that hopped by Nolan Jones for an error and allowed Miguel Amaya to score from second to extend the lead to 2-0.
The big blow came one batter later when Kevonte Mitchell made it 5-0 with a three-run homer to left, his third of season.
Zach Davis used his speed to help Myrtle Beach extend their lead to 6-0 in the second inning when he tripled to lead off the inning and scored on a single from Carlos Sepulveda .
Oscar De La Cruz was credited for the win in his first rehab start of the season for the Pelicans. The right hander struck out three and walked one across five innings of shutout baseball.
Myrtle Beach added to the lead in the fifth inning when Payne launched his first home run of the season, a solo shot, to make it 7-0 Birds.
Cam Balego followed the trend in the seventh inning with a homer to left to lengthen the lead to 8-0 and gave Myrtle Beach its first three-homer game of the season.
The Pelicans scored their final run of the night in the eighth inning after Jhonny Bethencourt doubled to lead off the inning and later scored on another Sepulveda single to cap off the 9-0 win for the Birds.
Paul Richan (1-0, 1.04) will take the mound for the Pelicans in the second game of the series against Justin Garza (1-2, 8.10) for the Hillcats at 6 p.m. on Friday night at Calvin Falwell Field at City Stadium in Lynchburg, Va.
The 2019 season is the 21st season for the Pelicans franchise and fifth as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For tickets visit MyrtleBeachPelicans.com/tickets, call (843) 918-6000, or visit the Pelicans Box Office.
Carolina League Stories from April 18, 2019
- Kubat, Offense Propel Dash to 5-3 Win at Potomac - Winston-Salem Dash
- Potomac's Rally Falls Short in 5-3 Loss to Winston-Salem - Potomac Nationals
- Wood Ducks Drop Series Opener To Wilmington, As Win Streak Ends At Five - Down East Wood Ducks
- Wild Walk-Off Leaves Salem Stunned - Frederick Keys
- Three Homers, Pitching Lead Birds to Second-Straight Win - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Matias Drives in Three, Sparks Another Wilmington Win - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Hillcats Can't Overcome Five-Run First Inning, Fall to Pelicans in Shutout - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Myrtle Beach Pelicans Game Notes: April 18 at Lynchburg - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- April 18 - Carolina Mudcats Game Information - Carolina Mudcats
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (April 18 at Potomac) - Winston-Salem Dash
- April 18 Game Information - Down East Wood Ducks
- Wood Ducks Pick Up Second Straight Last At-Bat Win In 11-Inning Thriller - Down East Wood Ducks
- Birds Run Wild in Win over Frederick - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
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