Pelicans Drop Third Game to RiverDogs 4-1

The Birds went 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position

By Sam Weiderhaft

Both teams came into Friday night’s matchup tied for the Carolina League, South Division lead, but the Charleston RiverDogs propelled ahead with a 4-1 win over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. The Birds dropped to 20-11 on the season while the RiverDogs improved to 21-10 with the win. Charleston now has a 3-1 lead in the series through four games.

One night after scoring 13 runs off 11 hits, the Pelicans were held to a lone run for the second time this week. Juan Mora (0-4, RBI) brought home the only run with a groundout in the second. Peter Matt (1-4, 2B) and Yeison Santana (1-3, 2B) clubbed the two extra-base hits for Myrtle Beach in the game.

Pelicans starter Luis Devers (2-3) dropped the game with two runs, one earned off three hits in 4 1/3 innings. He walked a pair while striking out three in his first start against the RiverDogs this season.

The RiverDogs were led by Carson Williams (2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, R, 2 BB) with a two-run double in the top of the seventh. Freddvil Chevez (0-3, RBI) brought home the other RBI with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning.

It was another solid night for the Charleston pitching staff as Over Galue (3-0) earned the win in relief with three scoreless innings and just one hit allowed. He walked just one and struck out three in the victory. Kyle Whitten picked up his fourth save after closing out the final two innings with one strikeout.

For the fourth game in a row, the RiverDogs took the lead first as Williams worked a four-pitch walk with one out. After stealing second, Williams went to third on a groundout by Dru Baker. With Mason Auer at bat, Williams came home on a passed ball by Malcom Quintero for a 1-0 lead.

The Pelicans evened the game in the bottom of the second as Quintero led off with a single and Wetzel walked. Santana followed by reaching first on a fielding error by Williams at short to load the bases. After Liam Spence struck out, Mora grounded out to short as Quintero scored to tie the game 1-1. James Triantos struck out to end the inning.

The lead changed for the final time in the top of the fourth as Auer led off with a single to right field. He stole second as Willy Vasquez struck out swinging and advanced to third on a single by Abiezel Ramirez. Chevez flew out to Matt in left field to bring home Auer as the RiverDogs took a 2-1 lead.

Charleston put the finishing touches on in the top of the seventh as Luis Leon started off with a single. Gionti Turner struck out and Shane Sasaki worked a walk to put two runners on. Williams cleared the bases with a double over the head of Matt in left field to extend the Charleston lead to 4-1.

Saturday night will feature game five of the series as well as Military Appreciation Night at Pelicans Ballpark with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m.