Big sixth lifts Birds past Sox

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans (30-24), Class-A Advanced affiliates of the Texas Rangers, scored four runs in the sixth inning Saturday and snapped an eight-game losing streak, clipping the Salem Red Sox 5-3 at Lewis-Gale Field. The Pelicans are 1-5 on the road trip and will play a rubber match with the Red Sox on Sunday.

Trever Adams and Patrick Cantwell each added run-producing doubles in the big sixth inning. Royce Bolinger added a two-run single during the rally as the Pelicans sent eight men to the plate in the game-changing inning.

Right-hander Luke Jackson (5-4) tossed 5.1 shutout innings with five walks and three strikeouts en route to the win. The right-hander allowed five hits and stranded seven runners on base, including the bases loaded in the second inning. The Red Sox stranded 12 runners on base in the game.

After the Pelicans jumped out to a 5-0 lead, the Red Sox rallied to make it close. Matty Johnson doubled in a pair of runs in the eighth inning. The Red Sox then put runners on the corners with nobody out in the ninth inning. After Keury De La Cruz flied out to shallow center, Brandon Jacobs hit an RBI single off the left field wall but was thrown out at second base by Chris Grayson. Ryan Harvey got Blake Swihart to ground out and earned his first save.

The Pelicans had three key outfield assists in the game. Preston Beck got Swihart trying to stretch a double into a triple in the second inning. Bolinger threw out Johnson after his double in the eighth. Grayson, who had two outfield assists Friday, gunned down Jacobs in the ninth.

Rougned Odor gave the Pelicans their first lead of the series with an RBI double in the third inning. Drew Robinson was thrown out trying to score from first base on the play.

Paul Schwendel relieved Jackson in the sixth and tossed 1.1 scoreless innings with two strikeouts.

Odor and Bolinger each had two hits for the Birds, who saw eight of their nine starters reach base at least once.

The Pelicans conclude a three-game series with the Salem Red Sox Sunday at Lewis-Gale Field. First pitch is on tap for 4:05 p.m. EST. Catch all the action on AM 1050 and FM 101.9 - Fox Sports in Myrtle Beach. Right-hander Joe Van Meter (0-2, 2.54) will be opposed by Red Sox right-hander Kyle Stroup (2-3, 4.50). 

The Pelicans return home this Monday, June 3^rd   to take on the Potomac Nationals at TicketReturn.com Field. Monday will be a Make a Splash Monday presented by HTC - fans who bring in an item listed on the backpack buddies donation list will receive half-price admission. On "Team Tuesday" the first 1,000 fans will receive a Craig Kimbrel poster courtesy of Sheriar Press and 100.3 The Team. Fans can also enjoy $2 craft beers in Hops Heaven. Thursday is "Guaranteed Weather Night" - If any rain falls after the 7:05 p.m. first pitch, all fans will receive a voucher to attend another game. If more than .25 inches falls, one lucky fan will walk away with $10,000.00. Tickets are available online at     www.myrtlebeachpelicans.com or by phone at 918-6000.