MYRTLE BEACH – For the second straight night, a three-run inning cost the Myrtle Beach Pelicans against the Lynchburg Hillcats. But Saturday night, the Pelicans came within a base hit of bouncing back.
The Hillcats earned at least a series split with a 3-2 victory over Myrtle Beach, scratching out a trio of sixth-inning runs off Pelicans starter Richard Sullivan and turning away a ninth-inning Myrtle Beach rally in front of 2,989 at BB&T Coastal Field.
According to news release, scoreless entering the sixth, Lynchburg got the leadoff man on when Jose De Los Santos singled to open the frame and stole second. De Los Santos moved to third on a Chase d’Arnaud flyout and scored one batter later when Josh Harrison singled him home. Right behind Harrison, who swiped second, Jordy Mercer reached on an error charged to Pelicans shortstop Robert Marcial when Mercer’s slow grounder to short went under Marcial’s glove into left field. Harrison went to third on the play, and after Mercer stole second, both came home on a two-out, two-run single by Jared Keel. Sullivan (2-10) exited after that base hit, allowing three runs on four hits over five and two-thirds, though just one of those runs was earned.
The Pelicans continued to have trouble finding run support for their left-hander. For the second straight start and third time in his last four outings, Sullivan didn’t receive a single run behind him. Lynchburg starter Rudy Owens (1-0) shut out the Pelicans over five innings, striking out six without issuing a walk and scattering three hits. Myrtle Beach’s offense didn’t come until the ninth when C.J. Lee walked to open the inning and went to third on a one-out double by Donell Linares. Cody Johnson hit a sharp grounder to second base that kicked off Hillcats second baseman Josh Harrison’s glove, allowing both runs to score. But with the would-be tying run in scoring position at second base in the person of pinch-runner Cole Miles following a Gerry Rodriguez single, Jesus Sucre grounded into a game-ending double-play. Rodriguez (23) closed the door in the ninth, the release said.
Myrtle Beach will try to salvage a series split in tonight's finale which pits Lynchburg lefty, and former Pelican, Jeff Locke (2-8, 5.23) against Myrtle Beach southpaw Cole Rohrbough (4-7, 6.30).
Dinger the Home Run Dog will make his final scheduled appearance of 2009 at BB&T Coastal Field for the Sunday contest to be followed by fireworks.
Tickets for all Pelicans home games are available at the BB&T Coastal Field box office, by calling (843)918-6000 or by visiting the Tickets page at MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.
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