Pelicans Tie Series with GreenJackets

Once again the Pelicans jumped out to an early lead, but the GreenJackets' bats came alive late to take the final game of the series in Augusta 8-6.

The Birds plated the first run of the game in the second inning on an RBI double to left by Kevin Made that scored Jordan Nwogu. Nwogu started the inning with a single to center and advanced to second on a fielding error by Stephen Paolini, putting him in scoring position for Made's at bat. The Pelicans continued their offensive strike in the third inning plating three more runs. With one out in the inning Ezequiel Pagan walked and then advanced to second when Jacob Wetzel reached on a fielding error by Cam Shepherd. Two batters and another out later, Jordan Nwogu walked to load the bases. Matt Mervis then doubled to right field scoring all three of his teammates.

Myrtle Beach would hold the 4-0 lead until the fifth inning when the GreenJackets added three runs of their own, including a solo home run to left center by Landon Stephens, and a two run homer to Brandon Parker to left. The Birds would get out of the inning without any further damage, but the GreenJackets plated three more in the sixth to take the lead 4-6. The Pelicans tied things back up in the eighth starting with a one-out single to center by Yohendrick Pinango. That was followed by a wild pitch moving Pinango to second and walk by Nwogu. Matt Mervis' sac fly moved Pinango to third. Nwogu proceeded to steal second then Made singled up the middle to score both Pinango and Nwogu.

Augusta returned the favor in the bottom of the eighth when Stephens homered for the second time of the night on a 2-2 pitch from Jarod Wright. They would score the final run of the game on an RBI double from Shepherd three batters later. Ezequiel Pagan and Jacob Wetzel reached in the top of the ninth for the Birds but the inning ended with two left on base and the GreenJackets on top 6-8.

Manuel Espinoza started the night for the Birds and delivered five complete innings with seven strikeouts, allowing three runs on hits. The bullpen efforts for the team tonight included two innings from Carlos Ocampo and one from Jarod Wright. Ocampo allowed three runs on four hits and recorded four strikeouts. Wright allowed two runs on three hits with one strikeout. The loss move the Pelicans' overall record to 36-42 and the GreenJackets to 34-44.

After a league-wide off day tomorrow, the Birds head to Columbia for a six-game series that kicks off Tuesday at 7:05 PM. Listen online here, or watch on MiLB.TV.