Birds Shut Down GreenJackets for 4-2 Win
By Sam Weiderhaft The second game of the series saw more pitching dominance as the Myrtle Beach Pelicans grabbed their first win of the week 4-2 over the Augusta GreenJackets. With the victory, the Pelicans stand at 11-17 while the GreenJackets drop to 13-15. Mason McGwire had his longest start
By Sam Weiderhaft
The second game of the series saw more pitching dominance as the Myrtle Beach Pelicans grabbed their first win of the week 4-2 over the Augusta GreenJackets. With the victory, the Pelicans stand at 11-17 while the GreenJackets drop to 13-15.
Mason McGwire had his longest start of the year, lasting one out shy of four innings with just one earned run and a pair of strikeouts. Erian Rodriguez (2-2) came out of the bullpen to take the win with one earned run across 2 2/3 innings while striking out four. Nico Zeglin collected his second save with two scoreless innings and four punchouts. Augusta has been held without an extra-base hit in the first two games of the week.
Alfonsin Rosario (2-5, 2B, RBI) posted the only multi-hit game with an RBI ground-rule double in the first inning. Chris Paciolla (1-5, RBI) and Alexis Hernandez (0-2, RBI, 2 BB) accounted for the other runs batted in for Myrtle Beach.
After starter Cade Kuehler was pulled in the first inning after giving up two runs, the bullpen allowed four earned runs with Beau Philip (0-3) taking the loss after sacrificing one earned run in just under four relief innings.
The GreenJackets outhit the Pelicans 6-5, with two coming from Kade Kern (2-4, RBI). Jacob Godman (1-3, RBI, BB) knocked in the other run for Augusta.
After a double play got McGwire out of the first inning unharmed, the Pelicans jumped on Kuehler with two runs. With two runners on, Rosario lifted a double that bounced over the centerfield wall to bring in the first run. Miguel Pabon later struck out on a wild pitch to bring Cristian Hernandez home from third for a 2-0 lead.
It was a quick response from Augusta as Godman hit an RBI single to right field to score the runner from second.
The score remained the same until the top of the sixth. Kern lined a single to center with runners on second and third to plate the tying run.
With the score tied 2-2, Pabon led off the bottom half with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Wally Soto. He scored after Alexis Hernandez reached on a throwing error by shortstop Diego Benitez to put the Pelicans back in front 3-2.
The Pelicans grabbed an insurance run in their half of the eighth as Paciolla reached on a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded.
The third game of the series is set for Thursday night at 7:05 p.m.