Pelicans' series opener at Astros suspended

LILLINGTON, N.C. (July 16, 2017) - Myrtle Beach and Buies Creek both scored a run in the third inning Sunday before rain caused the game to be suspended heading into the fifth inning. The contest will resume Monday at 5 p.m. from Jim Perry Stadium, with Monday's scheduled contest, a seven-inning affair, following immediately after.
Myrtle Beach kicked off the scoring in the top of the third. Zack Short singled with one out in the frame before advancing to second on a groundout. Jesse Hodges delivered with a two-out RBI double to left field to give the Birds the 1-0 advantage. 

Jake Rodgers reached base in the bottom of the third inning on a fielder's choice before swiping second with two men retired in the frame. Taylor Jones tied the game for Buies Creek with an RBI single into center field scoring Rodgers from second. 
With the score 1-1, rain would suspend play before the top of the fifth inning started, forcing the game to be finished on Monday. Myrtle Beach starter Justin Steele yielded just one run on three hits in four innings of work.
Following the completion of Sunday's suspended game, which begins at 5 p.m., RHP Mike Rucker (2-2, 2.49 ERA) will oppose LHP Ryan Hartman (1-3, 3.86 ERA) in Monday's scheduled seven-inning contest. Coverage begins at 4:45 on MyrtleBeachPelicans.com/Broadcast, the MiLB First Pitch app and TuneIn.
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].