Pelicans Erase Ninth-Inning Deficit, Defeat Mudcats in 10

Myrtle Beach rallied for five runs across the final three innings

By Sam Weiderhaft

For just the second time this season and first since April 12, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans went to extra innings and defeated the Carolina Mudcats 10-8 in Tuesday’s series opener from North Carolina. The win was just the second time this season that the Birds have come back from down by four runs and the second extra-innings victory this year. The Birds hold a 37-15 record while maintaining their two-game lead in the South Division. Carolina dropped to 28-24 with the loss.

The Pelicans racked up 11 hits for the game as Ezequiel Pagan (3-5, 2B, 3 RBI, R, BB) once again led the lineup with three runs batted in off three hits. Pagan now has 10 RBI in his last four games. Kevin Made (1-5, HR, 3 RBI, BB) provided power with a three-run homer in the sixth as did Ethan Hearn (2-4, HR, RBI, 2 R, BB) with a solo shot in the eighth.

Myrtle Beach’s third pitcher Angel Gonzalez (1-0) took his first win of the season with two scoreless innings in relief with one hit allowed and two walks while striking out one. Adam Laskey took the save with a hit and a strikeout in the final frame. Starting pitcher Tyler Schlaffer sacrificed six runs with five being earned across his four innings of work off six hits.

Hedbert Perez (2-5, HR, 2 RBI) paced the Mudcats’ lineup with a two-run home run in the first. Eduardo Garcia (2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R) also brought home two as Carolina outhit the Pelicans 12-11. Oswal Leones (4-5, RBI) provided a third of the hits with four singles out of the nine spot in the lineup.

Carolina used four pitchers with Michele Vassalotti blowing the save and taking the loss with two runs coming across in his 1 2/3 innings. Vassalotti gave up three hits in his outing following Jeferson Figueroa. The second Mudcats’ pitcher sacrificed six earned runs off four hits and four walks with eight strikeouts in just over four innings in relief.

The opening frame was eventful as a total of six runs came across for both teams. James Triantos kicked off the game for Myrtle Beach with an RBI double to score Pagan with nobody out in the first.

Carolina quickly responded with a five-run first inning. With runners on the corners, Jackson Chourio grounded into a force-out at second with Jheremy Vargas coming home to score. Jeferson Quero followed with a single to left to score Chourio as Quero got to second on a fielding error by Frank Hernandez. Garcia followed with an RBI double to make it 3-1 Mudcats. After a mound visit with Schlaffer, Perez smashed a home run to right field for a 5-1 first-inning lead.

Both teams were quiet until the fourth when Pagan stepped up with Reginald Preciado on first. Pagan lined a ball to deep center for a double as Preciado scored to bring the Pelicans within three.

Leones knocked his second of four singles in the bottom of the fourth as he brought in Jesus Chirinos with a liner to center to give the Mudcats a 6-2 advantage.

The game changed in the top of the sixth as Made cashed in on two walks with a three-run homer to left-center field to make it a one-run game. It was Made’s third home run of the season.

Carolina got two back in the bottom of the seventh on a one-out single by Garcia and a wild pitch by reliever Jose Miguel Gonzalez to score Quero as the lead was extended to 8-5.

Hearn’s solo shot came in the eighth after back-to-back strikeouts. His third home run of the season went to right field to bring the Pelicans within two.

With one out in the top of the ninth, the Pelicans loaded the bases as Vassalotti came out of the bullpen. With an 0-2 count, Wetzel lined a ball to right to score Triantos and Kevin Alcantara as the game tied up 8-8. Myrtle Beach forced extras for just the second time this season.

Hearn led off the top of the 10th with a single and advanced to second to place runners on second and third. Pagan followed by lining the third pitch of the at-bat to left as both runs scored to give the Pelicans their first lead of the game at 10-8.

Zack Raabe grounded into a double play to end the game.

Myrtle Beach and Carolina will square off for game two of the series on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m.