Birds can't halt skid in 4-1 loss

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (August 11, 2017) - P.J. Higgins' first inning solo home run proved not to be enough Friday as the Myrtle Beach Pelicans' losing streak tied a season-high five-games following their 4-1 defeat to the Carolina Mudcats in front of 5,177 fans from TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. 
With the Pelicans (59-58, 16-31) leading 1-0 in the third, Carolina (57-59, 21-27) took their first lead of the contest off Myrtle Beach starter Mike Rucker (4-3). After the first two batters of the inning were retired, Parker Berberet singled to right field before advancing to second on a walk issued to Trent Clark. Corey Ray kept the rally going on an infield single to load the bases. Monte Harrison capped off the rally with a line drive single to center field, scoring Berberet and Clark to give the Mudcats the 2-1 advantage. 

With one out in the top of the fourth, Luis Aviles Jr. reached on a bunt single before swiping second base. With two outs in the frame, Aviles scored the Mudcats' third run of the game following an error committed by the Pelicans. 
With the score 3-1, Lucas Erceg deposited his 13th home run of the season over the right field wall to extend the Muddies' lead to 4-1.
Nate Griep slammed the door on Myrtle Beach with a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his Carolina League-leading 22nd save of the year. 
Myrtle Beach's lone run came in the first inning when Higgins launched a solo home run over the left field wall which, at the time, gave the Birds a 1-0 lead. 
Carolina starter, Zack Brown tossed a gem in his Advanced-A debut, as he twirled six innings and allowed just one run en route to picking up his first victory with the Mudcats. Brown matched a career-high with eight strikeouts.
Myrtle Beach will look to rebound in the middle game of their three-game set against Carolina on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. The Pelicans will send RHP Duncan Robinson (2-3, 2.43 ERA) to the mound to oppose RHP Trey Supak (3-3, 4.78 ERA). Saturday's contest will be televised locally on The CW21 and MiLB.TV at 7:00 p.m. with a radio broadcast beginning at 6:50 on MyrtleBeachPelicans.com/Broadcast, the MiLB First Pitch app and TuneIn.
Saturday's ballgame will be a Locals Appreciation Saturday, meaning $3 off for locals who provide their ID at the Pelicans Box Office. The contest will also double as Soccer Night, with the first 500 kids in attendance receiving a mini Pelicans soccer ball. All fans can enjoy a Postgame Fireworks Extravaganza following the contest.
The 2017 season is the 19th season for the Pelicans franchise and third as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2017, please call (843) 918-6000, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.
ABOUT THE PELICANS: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and play their home games at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The park has ranked in the top eight in all of Minor League Baseball by Stadium Journey in each of the last six seasons. The same publication also placed the Pelicans in the Top 100 Stadium Experiences in all of sports in each of the last six years and the best in the Carolina League for six straight seasons as well. In May 2015, TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark won the 2015 TripAdvisor.com Certificate of Excellence award. The Pelicans are the two-time defending Mills Cup Champions, winning the title in 2015 and 2016 as well as 2000 and co-Mills Cup championship honors in the inaugural 1999 season. The Pelicans have made ten postseason appearances behind 12 half-season Southern Division championships, including the first half of the 2015 season and second half of 2016. For more information on the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, please contact the Pelicans at (843) 918-6000 or emailing [email protected].