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CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Three-Run Rally Gives Birds Win in Extras

April 21, 2015 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


SALEM, VA. (APRIL 20, 2014) - The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, rallied to win 7-4 in 11 innings over the Salem Red Sox at LewisGale Field on Monday. The Birds, who trailed 4-0 in the fourth, made their comeback after an hour-long rain delay with two outs in the sixth inning.

Pelicans center fielder Jacob Hannemann played a key role in the comeback. With two outs in the ninth inning and trailing 4-3, Hannemann beat out an infield single and then stole second base. Mark Zagunis then singled up the middle to drive in the tying run. Pelicans right-hander Tayler Scott, who entered the game in the eighth, pitched three scoreless innings of relief and retired the Sox in order in the ninth to force extra innings.

In the eleventh, Myrtle Beach (7-3) then grabbed a lead on three consecutive pitches. Daniel Lockhart singled with one out before Carlos Penalver followed suit with a first-pitch hit up the middle. Hannemann then drove in the go-ahead run on the first offering from Red Sox reliever Austin Maddox before Zagunis gave the Pelicans an insurance run on a sacrifice fly to center. Designated hitter Billy McKinney added the final tally with a single to right field.

Despite Red Sox starter Kevin McAvoy surrendering a career-high seven walks, the right-hander worked out of trouble nearly every time, allowing just one run in his five innings on the mound.

Salem (4-5) collected six of its eight hits in the first three innings of the game, scoring runs in each of the first three frames as well. Center fielder Manuel Margot singled and scored in the first and later added an RBI single in the second. With a 2-0 lead in the third, Salem catcher Jake Romanski collected a two-out single before Wendell Rijo drove a two-run home run over the left field wall to give Salem a 4-0 lead.

Pelicans starter Tyler Skulina settled in after the homer, retiring the next seven batters in-a-row. He finished his night after five innings of work, striking out four while giving up four earned runs on six hits; he also hit a batter.

Myrtle Beach had its leadoff man reach in five of the first six innings, but Red Sox starter Kevin McAvoy (0-1) worked out of trouble each time. The right-hander surrendered three of his career-high seven walks in the fourth, and the Pelicans took advantage of those free passes when catcher Victor Caratini hit a ground ball to first base. The ball struck the first base bag and kicked high in the air before McAvoy could record the out. Zagunis scored on the play, trimming the Red Sox lead to 4-1.

The long-ball aided Myrtle Beach in the comeback as well. After a pitching change in the sixth, Pelicans designated hitter Billy McKinney greeted right-hander Joe Gunkel with a solo home run to right field to lead off the inning. Later, with two outs and an 0-2 count, Jacob Rogers began the seventh with a solo shot to left, trimming the Salem lead to 4-3.

The victory gave Scott (1-0) his first win of the season. Right-hander Matt Brazis recorded his second save of the year, striking out a pair in a scoreless eleventh inning. Maddox (0-1) suffered his first blown save of the season as well as his first loss.

The Pelicans continue their series against the Red Sox on Tuesday with the first pitch from LewisGale Field scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET. Pelicans right-hander Jen-Ho Tseng (1-0, 3.60) gets the call to start, while Salem will send left-hander Daniel McGrath (0-1, 8.10) to the hill.

The game can be heard live on 1450 WRNN-AM ESPN Myrtle Beach, on the TuneIn Radio App, and via the MiLB First Pitch App, beginning with the Pregame Show at 6:45 p.m.

The 2015 season marks the 17th season for the Pelicans franchise and first as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2015, please call (843) 918-6000, e-mail info@myrtlebeachpelicans.com, or visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

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Carolina League Stories from April 21, 2015


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