Keys shut out Pelicans for third time this season

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (JULY 22, 2014) - The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Texas Rangers, suffered a 4-0 shutout in a loss to the Frederick Keys on Tuesday night at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. Baltimore Orioles top prospect Dylan Bundy earned his first victory of the season, pitching six scoreless innings for the Keys. Pelicans starter Victor Payano took a shutout into the sixth inning, before allowing his only run.

The Pelicans and Keys held each other scoreless for five innings. Payano allowed only one runner to get in scoring position over the first five innings. The Pelicans had two runners on in the fourth and fifth innings but failed to score both times. The Birds went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, left five on base in the game, and had just three hits, which tied a season-low set in a 6-1 loss at Carolina on June 22.

The Keys broke the ice in the sixth inning. After Adrian Marin lined out to second, Trey Mancini drove the first pitch he saw from Payano over the left field wall for his fourth home run of the season. It was the first hit Payano allowed since the second inning, and the Keys led 1-0 after the sixth.

Payano pitched six innings, allowing one run, earned, while scattering four hits and three walks and striking out one.

In the top of the seventh, Frederick tacked on its second run. After Pelicans reliever Cody Buckel struck out the first two batters, Jerome Pena and Johnny Ruettiger walked. On a 1-2 count, Adrian Marin hit an RBI single to center field, scoring Pena.

The Keys scored their third run of the game on a solo home run by former Rangers farmhand Chih-Hsien Chiang in the top of the eighth, and their fourth and final run in the ninth inning on an RBI single by Pena. Both runs came off of Pelicans reliever Jose Leclerc, who had not allowed a run in 11 2/3 innings.

Chiang spent all of 2013 with the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders.

The Pelicans went hitless over the last four innings, and Keys reliever Matt Hobgood pitched the final three innings, allowing only one baserunner, while striking out three for his fourth save.

Bundy (1-1) earned the win. Payano (4-8) suffered the loss.

The Birds play game two of the series with the Keys on Wednesday night at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark at 7:05 p.m. Chad James (1-0, 0.00 ERA) commands the hill for the Pelicans. Brady Wager (4-7, 5.86) starts for the Keys. The game can be heard live on WRNN AM 1450 ESPN Myrtle Beach, on the TuneIn Radio App, and via the MiLB First Pitch App, beginning with the Hampton Inn Pregame Show at 6:45 p.m.

Wednesday night is Wiener Wednesday, presented by WPDE and 104.9 Bob FM. Fans can buy $1.00 hot dogs all game long. There is also a Backpack Buddies School Supply Drive. Fans who donate will receive a free poster, courtesy of Miller-Motte Technical College.

Season Seats, Mini Plans, Flex Books, and single game tickets are available to see the Pelicans in 2014. For more information on tickets, please call (843) 918-6002, e-mail [email protected], visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com, or visit the Pelicans box office, which is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.