Pelicans Record Second Straight Shutout, Beat Nationals 1-0

Myrtle Beach has outscored Fredericksburg 3-0 in the first two games of the series

By Sam Weiderhaft

Runs came at a premium once again in game two of the series as the Myrtle Beach Pelicans defeated the Fredericksburg Nationals 1-0 on Wednesday night. It was the seventh shutout of the season and second in a row for the Pelicans, who improved to 42-17 with the victory. Their magic number now stands at six to clinch the first-half championship in the Carolina League South Division and a playoff spot. Fredericksburg dropped to 30-29 with Wednesday’s loss.

For the second night in a row, the Birds collected only singles with three hits for the game. Ezequiel Pagan (1-3, RBI) brought in the only run with an RBI single in the sixth inning. Kevin Alcantara (1-3) extended his hitting streak to 10 with a single in the first.

The story of the night was the pitching staff as Richard Gallardo tied his career-high with seven strikeouts through 5 1/3 shutout innings with three hits and three walks allowed. The win went to Frankie Scalzo (1-2) after he held the Nationals scoreless through 2 2/3 innings with three strikeouts and a walk. Adam Laskey struck out two in the final inning to pick up his third save of the year.

The Nationals also had three hits with Jeremy De La Rosa (1-4, 2B) smashing the only extra-base hit of the series so far with a double in the sixth. Fredericksburg left five runners on base and went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

It was a solid night on the mound for Andry Lara (1-4) after giving up the earned run in his six innings while striking out six. Lara took the loss with three hits and a walk allowed.

Fredericksburg started strong by putting runners on the corners in the first inning off a single and a walk. Gallardo got out of it on a strikeout looking to Sammy Infante to end the frame.

Myrtle Beach also stranded two runners on when Jacob Wetzel struck out swinging to end the home half of the first.

De La Rosa doubled with one out in the top of the sixth to knock Gallardo out of the game. Scalzo game in and got a groundout and strikeout to end the inning and keep it scoreless.

The Pelicans capitalized in the bottom of the sixth as Josue Huma walked to lead off and moved to second on a groundout by Juan Mora. Pagan lined a single to right field to plate Huma for the only run of the game.

Laskey struck out two of the three batters he faced in the final inning to close it out.

Game three of the series is slated for Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. as the Pelicans hold a 2-0 lead through the first two contests.