Nine-run Astros' fourth deflates Pelicans

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (May 4, 2017) - Matt Rose racked up three hits, and Pelicans relief pitchers Scott Effross and James Norwood combined to toss 5.1 innings of scoreless baseball, but that was not enough for Myrtle Beach to overcome a nine-run fourth inning from Buies Creek in the Astros' 9-4 win Friday at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark.
As the rain started to pour, the Astros (19-9) drenched the scoreboard with a crooked number in the fourth. Myles Straw lead off the fourth inning with the first Astros hit of the game off Myrtle Beach (15-13) starter Thomas Hatch (0-3). The following batter, Jason Martin, walked to put runners on first and second with nobody out. Following Martin, Dexture McCall also walked to load the bases. After a strikeout, the Astros' first run of the game would come into score on an error. With the bases still loaded, Osvaldo Duarte singled to left field scoring Martin and giving the Astros the 2-1 advantage.
Following a strikeout, Hatch was lifted for Tommy Thorpe . Arturo Michelena walked following the pitching change to score Sierra, extending the Astros' lead to 3-1. Another free pass brought in another run for Buies Creek. With Straw batting, a wild pitch scored Duarte to make the score 5-1. With runners at second and third base, Straw singled on a line drive to center field, plating Michelena and advancing Sewald to third. Martin walked for the second time in the inning to reload the bases, as a total of five Astros walked in the fourth. With the bases loaded, Dexture McCall cleared them with a three-run double into the left-center field gap, increasing the advantage to 9-1. 

The Pelicans would respond with a run of their own. After Rose was hit by a pitch, Daniel Spingola reached base on an error. A second error allowed Rose to score. 
Myrtle Beach would continue their pursuit in the bottom of the sixth inning. The frame started with Higgins reaching first base on the third error of the game committed by Buies Creek. Rose continued his big day as he ripped a double down the left field line to put runners at the corners with nobody out. Spingola would follow Rose with a single to bring in both runners, cutting the deficit to 9-4.
Effross fired 3.1 scoreless frames, and Norwood tossed two blank innings in the defeat.
The Birds would kick off the scoring in the bottom of the first inning. With two men retired in the inning and Carlos Sepulveda at third following his leadoff walk, Rose ripped an RBI single into left, giving the Pelicans the early 1-0 advantage. 
Myrtle Beach returns to action Friday at 7:05 p.m. in game two of their four-game series with Buies Creek. LHP Justin Steele (1-2, 3.74 ERA) will make the start for the Birds against Buies Creek RHP Elieser Hernandez (2-2, 5.31 ERA). Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on MiLB.tv, MyrtleBeachPelicans.com/Broadcast, the MiLB First Pitch app and TuneIn.
The Pelicans will celebrate Cinco De Mayo, and Taco's and Tallboys will be featured as Friday's Foodie Friday theme.
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].