Birds Start Second Half with 10-4 Victory Over Cannon Ballers

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans jumped out to an early lead in the first game of the second half. Reijav Garcia started the offense for First Half South Division Champions with a single to shortstop Wilber Sanchez. Garcia advanced to second on a James Triantos walk, then later scored on a ground ball single up the middle by Ezequiel Pagan.

The second inning begin with a pair of walks by Noah Owen to place Jacob Wetzel and Malcom Quintero on base. The duo advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Frank Hernandez to third baseman Wes Kath. Josue Huma followed with a sharp line drive single to right field to score Wetzel. Quintero would score two batters later when Triantos reached on a fielding error by first baseman Wilfred Veras Birds in front 3-0.

The Cannon Ballers offense struck back in the bottom of the second with an RBI double to left by Colby Smelley. Kannapolis would hold the Birds scoreless in the third before adding one more run in the bottom of the inning on a wild pitch by Pelicans' starter Tyler Schlaffer.

Kevin Made delivered a two-run home in the top of the fourth to put the Pelicans up 5-2. Two innings later the Ballers closed the gap to 5-4 with an RBI single to left by Wilber Sanchez scoring Wilfred Veras and Samil Polanco, but that would be the last run of the night for Kannapolis.

The bats stayed hot for the Birds who plated five more runs before the night was over including a two-run RBI double for Matt Warkentin in the seventh.

The Birds' pitching summary for the night has starter Tyler Schlaffer dealing five strikeouts over four innings with two earned runs. The combined work of the bullpen included one inning each for Chase Watkins and Angel Gonzalez, as well as three innings for Jose Miguel Gonzalez.

The 10-4 win puts Myrtle Beach up 4-0 in the series with Kannapolis and advances their season record to 48-19. Game five of the series at is set for Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. at Atrium Health Ballpark.