Pelicans drop rain-shortened contest 12-3

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (July 24, 2017) - The Myrtle Beach Pelicans dropped the opener of their three-game set 12-3 Monday against the Carolina Mudcats in a rain-shortened contest from TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark.
With the game tied at three in the top of the fourth inning, Carolina (49-50,13-18) third baseman Lucas Erceg drew a one-out walk against Myrtle Beach (55-45,12-18) starter Thomas Hatch (4-8). Erceg advanced to second on a ground out before scoring on a single from Max McDowell to give the Mudcats the 4-3 advantage. 

With Carolina leading Myrtle Beach 4-3 in the top of the fifth inning, Luis Aviles Jr. led off the frame with a double before coming around to score on a one-out double from Troy Stokes Jr. to make the advantage 5-3. 
The big blow of the contest came in the top of the sixth inning. Isan Díaz led off the frame with a walk. Erceg racked a double to right field. On the same play, Diaz came into score on a throwing error that also allowed Erceg to advance to third base. Harrison walked and McDowell was hit by a pitch to load the bases. With one out in the inning, Trent Clark drove home Erceg with a single to make the score 7-3. Stokes Jr. promptly cleared the bases for the Muddies with a triple into right field. Corey Ray made it back-to-back triples for Carolina, driving home Stokes Jr. Ray advanced home on a wild pitch to widen the margin to 12-3.
Myrtle Beach would not bat in the bottom of the sixth inning as inclement weather stopped play to give the Carolina Mudcats a 12-3 victory over the Pelicans. 
With no score and one out in the top of the second inning, Diaz singled before scoring on a triple from Erceg. Monte Harrison drove home Erceg with a base-hit to left field, making the score 2-0. Harrison swiped second base before advancing home on an RBI double from McDowell to give the Mudcats their third run of the game. 
Myrtle Beach answered the call in the bottom of the third inning. P.J. Higgins and Robert Garcia kicked off the frame with back-to-back base hits before they both advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from Connor Myers . Zack Short laced a double down the left field line, scoring Higgins and Garcia to bring the Pelicans within one run. Short moved to third base on a ground out before scoring on an infield single from Trent Giambrone to tie the game at three. 
Myrtle Beach and Carolina play Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. in the second game of their three-game set. The Pelicans will send RHP Kyle Miller (2-2, 4.43 ERA) to oppose Mudcats LHP Kodi Medeiros (3-8, 5.11 ERA). Coverage will begin at 6:50 p.m. on MiLB.tv, MyrtleBeachPelicans.com/Broadcast, the MiLB First Pitch App and TuneIn.
Tuesday's contest will feature Craft Beer Tuesday, meaning $2.00 12oz. craft draughts from 6-8 p.m. Gates for Tuesday's will open at 6:00 p.m. at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark.
The 2017 season is the 19th season for the Pelicans franchise and third as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2017, please call (843) 918-6000, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.
ABOUT THE PELICANS: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and play their home games at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The park has ranked in the top eight in all of Minor League Baseball by Stadium Journey in each of the last six seasons. The same publication also placed the Pelicans in the Top 100 Stadium Experiences in all of sports in each of the last six years and the best in the Carolina League for six straight seasons as well. In May 2015, TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark won the 2015 TripAdvisor.com Certificate of Excellence award. The Pelicans are the two-time defending Mills Cup Champions, winning the title in 2015 and 2016 as well as 2000 and co-Mills Cup championship honors in the inaugural 1999 season. The Pelicans have made ten postseason appearances behind 12 half-season Southern Division championships, including the first half of the 2015 season and second half of 2016. For more information on the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, please contact the Pelicans at (843) 918-6000 or emailing [email protected].