McKinney launches walk-off homer in extras

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (MAY 7, 2015) - In a span of five games, outfielder Billy McKinney has collected 10 RBI across his last 18 at-bats. On Thursday night at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, won 2-1 on the strength of McKinney's tenth-inning home run. The walk-off blast keeps the Birds a half-game in first place ahead of the Carolina Mudcats in the Carolina League Southern Division.

With the best record in the circuit, Myrtle Beach (17-10) trailed 1-0 when left fielder Franklin Guzman gave Salem the lead on a sixth-inning solo home run to left. It would be the only earned run that Pelicans starter Duane Underwood Jr. allowed in the game. With four strikeouts and one walk, Underwood surrendered just three hits, but took no-decision after seven innings of work.

The Red Sox (14-13) did not hold that lead for long.

Before Guzman's long ball, Red Sox starting pitcher Daniel McGrath matched Underwood in a scoreless tie through five innings on the mound. McGrath, making his third start against the Pelicans this year, did not allow a hit through the first 5 1/3 innings. The left-hander came within one walk of his career high (seven) on Thursday night. With one out in the sixth inning, McKinney drew the sixth walk of the game off of McGrath, and moved to third on an errant pick-off throw from catcher Jake Romanski. Pelicans first baseman Jacob Rogers broke up the no-hit bid with a game-tying single up the middle to even the score at 1-1.

Ranked the Cubs' #8 prospect according to MLB Pipeline's Top 30 Cubs Prospect List, McKinney walked four times on the night, including taking the first intentional walk of his career in the eighth inning. In all, the Pelicans tallied three hits in the win, as McKinney accounted for both runs scored. In his last six games, he has drawn seven walks, collected 10 RBI, hit three home runs while scoring seven times, and is hitting .444 in that span (8-for-18). He has also struck out just once in those six contests.

Red Sox reliever Austin Maddox (0-3) entered in the tenth inning but did not record an out in his third loss of the year, surrendering the home run to McKinney.

Michael Heesch (2-0) picked up the win for Myrtle Beach after throwing one perfect inning out of the bullpen, striking out one. Making his return from the disabled list, Juan Paniagua threw a pair of hitless frames while also striking out a batter.

The Pelicans hit the road on Friday to begin a five-game set against the Winston-Salem Dash, including a doubleheader on Saturday. The first pitch of the series opener at BB&T Ballpark is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. The Pelicans will start right-hander Paul Blackburn (1-1, 4.80) while the Dash counter with righty James Dykstra (3-1, 1.29).

The game can be heard live, presented by Courtyard Myrtle Beach at Barefoot Landing, on 1450 WRNN-AM ESPN Myrtle Beach, on the TuneIn Radio App, and via the MiLB First Pitch App, beginning with the Pregame Show at 6:40 p.m. ET. The game will also air along with live streaming video on MiLB.tv (subscription required), with the Winston-Salem broadcast feed

The 2015 season marks the 17th season for the Pelicans franchise and first as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2015, please call (843) 918-6000, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.