Hillcats halt Myrtle Beach roll in series opener

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (August 19, 2016) - The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were held to just six hits in a 5-2 series-opening loss Friday in front of 4,631 at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark.

In the top of the first, Myrtle Beach (70-54, 34-20) starter Jonathan Martinez (11-6) issued a one-out walk to Francisco Mejia before Anthony Santander doubled to right to move Mejia to third. The next batter was Bobby Bradley, who grounded out to first to score Mejia and make it 1-0 Lynchburg (77-47, 32-22).

With the score the same in the top of the third, Mejia drew another one-out walk before Santander singled. Two batters later, Tyler Krieger hooked a fly ball down the right field line. The ball hopped high off the warning track and over the head of the right fielder Jeffrey Baez, allowing both runners to score and make it 3-0 Hillcats.

With Lynchburg still leading by three in bottom of the fifth, Baez singled to left before Andrew Ely drew a walk. Lynchburg starter Thomas Pannone then walked Tyler Pearson to load the bases. Charcer Burks followed with a slow roller down the line on which Baez beat the tag at the plate to get Myrtle Beach on the board. Donnie Dewees then got hit by a pitch to force in another run and make it 3-2.

Pannone was replaced by Jared Robinson, who retired the next two batters without allowing any further damage, ultimately working 4.2 innings of scoreless relief to earn the win.

With Lynchburg leading 3-2 in the top of the seventh, Santander picked up a one-out single before Daury Torrez walked Tyler Krieger to put runners at first and second. Dorssys Paulino then lined a base hit to center to score Santander and make it 4-2 Hillcats. After a pitching change, Taylor Murphy singled to right to plate Krieger and cap the scoring at 5-2.

Scott Effross and James Norwood combined to work 2.1 scoreless frames of relief.

The Pelicans and Hillcats will meet again Saturday at 7:05 p.m. in the second game of the four-game series. RHP Jeremy Null (3-4, 4.61 ERA) will toe the rubber for Myrtle Beach, while RHP Matt Esparza (1-2, 1.88 ERA) goes for Lynchburg. All fans can receive $3 off their game ticket with a local I.D. on a Locals Appreciation Saturday. Coverage of the game begins at 6:50 p.m. on MyrtleBeachPelicans.com/Broadcast, the MiLB First Pitch app, TuneIn and MiLB.tv.

The 2016 season is the 18th season for the Pelicans franchise and second as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2016, 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 five seasons. The same publication also placed the Pelicans in the Top 100 Stadium Experiences in all of sports in each of the last five years and the best in the Carolina League for five 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 defending Mills Cup Champions, winning the title in 2015 as well as 2000 and co-Mills Cup championship honors in the inaugural 1999 season. The Pelicans have made nine postseason appearances behind 11 half-season Southern Division championships, including the first half of the 2015 season, as well as five Southern Division titles, most recently in 2015. For more information on the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, please contact the Pelicans at (843) 918-6000 or emailing [email protected].