Pelicans' Hendricks goes the distance

Kyle Hendricks ran into some bad luck in the first half of the Carolina League season. It's taken a turn for the better since then.

The Rangers prospect pitched a five-hitter and struck out six for his second complete game of the year Wednesday as the Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach Pelicans beat the Lynchburg Hillcats, 5-1.

Hendricks (3-7) labored in the fourth inning before winning his second straight start. After fanning Nick Ahmed to open the frame, he hit Tommy La Stella with a pitch. The Dartmouth College product gave up a single to Chris Garcia that put runners on the corners and Edward Salcedo followed with an RBI single to cut the Hillcats' deficit to 2-1.

But Hendricks preserved the lead by getting Bobby Stevens to hit into an inning-ending double play.

The 2011 eighth-round Draft pick went on to retire the next 10 batters before walking Braeden Schlehuber with one out in the eighth.

"Vinny [DiFazio] was calling a great game behind the plate and the defense was really working," Hendricks said. "Mixing speeds was really the big thing. My slider was a little spotty, but my curveball was really there. I relied on the cutter and the slider when I got deep into counts."

Hendricks' other complete game was a seven-inning effort against Winston-Salem on May 15. This was the first time a Pelican pitched all nine innings since James Parr tossed a three-hit shutout on May 17, 2007.

"It's always a good to save the bullpen," the 22-year-old right-hander said. "I pitched to contact pretty well today and my defense worked real well so I could go the distance."

Despite his record, Hendricks ranks third in the league with a 2.53 ERA and 80 strikeouts and is tied for second with a 0.98 WHIP.

"It's a little frustrating in the first half, but I told myself that the team will come around," the Carolina League All-Star said. "I just try and go out and get a quality start every time out and, luckily, it's been turning around lately."

Pitching in an organization considered by many to be among baseball's best in terms of prospects, it's easy to overlook Hendricks' season. That's something he tries not to concern himself with.

"Honestly, I don't pay too much attention to it," he said. "I know that I have confidence in myself and I know if I go out there and make good pitches it will all work out in the end.

"It's always a goal [to earn a promotion], but my ultimate goal is to make the big leagues. I'm just waiting to see what happens, but I'm not worrying about it. I know if I just do my thing, it will all work out."

Christian Villanueva was 2-for-5 with a homer, two RBIs and two runs scored for the Pelicans, while DiFazio chipped in two hits and drove in a run.