Eight-run sixth inning sinks Birds

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (JULY 8, 2014) - The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Texas Rangers, led 9-3 before a late-inning barrage by the Winston-Salem Dash forced a 13-9 Pelicans defeat on Tuesday night at BB&T Ballpark. The six-run lead was the largest surrendered this season by the Pelicans who gave up season-highs in runs and hits, allowing 18 base hits over eight innings.

The Pelicans (11-9, 55-33) got ahead right off the bat against Winston-Salem starter J.B. Wendelken. With a man on and one out, Nick Williams yanked a line drive homer to right field to put the Birds ahead 2-0.

Winston-Salem (11-9, 41-48) came right back to tie it and then take the lead. The first four batters of the bottom of the first collected hits off of southpaw Luis Parra. Two runs scored on a triple by Joey DeMichele, and Jason Coats gave the Dash the lead with an RBI single.

The next seven runs came from the visiting Pelicans. Luis Mendez slashed a double down the left field line to score the tying and go-ahead runs in the second. Williams launched his second home run of the game to put the Birds up 5-3 to lead off the third, and Myrtle Beach brought nine men to the plate in a four run fifth inning that included another two RBI for Williams on a single.

Williams joined Preston Beck, Joey Gallo, and Alberto Triunfel as Pelicans to hit multiple homers in a game this season, and it was the second such game of Williams' career. The five RBI for Williams was a season and career-high for the 20-year-old outfielder.

The 9-3 lead, however, was erased in the sixth inning. Luis Parra allowed the three first-inning runs but finished with four scoreless frames to finish his night.

Taking over in the sixth was Cody Buckel who faced eight hitters and retired only one batter. Working around an 11-minute weather delay, Buckel allowed four runs on five hits, a walk, and a hit batter, and left the bases loaded with one out in a 9-7 game and turned things over to Cody Ege. All three inherited runners scored off of Ege: one came home on a fielder's choice and another two scored on the second double of the inning by Jason Coats.

In total, Winston-Salem brought twelve men to the plate and scored eight runs on seven hits. Both of those were the most allowed by the Pelicans in a single inning this season. They took an 11-9 lead to the seventh.

The Dash added another two runs in the seventh inning. The 13 runs allowed a season-high for the Pelicans and the 18 hits surrendered was the most as well, in addition to being the most that the Dash had collected in a game this season.

Cody Kendall made his 2014 Pelicans debut, pitching a scoreless eighth inning. He was the only Pelicans pitcher to not allow a run on Tuesday night.

Buckel (2-5) suffered the defeat, while Sean Hagan (1-0) earned the win with 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Brad Golberg (2) fired three scoreless frames for the save.

The Pelicans need a win on Wednesday to stave off a series loss at BB&T Ballpark against the Dash; first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Chad Bell (3-0, 3.26 ERA) takes the ball for the Pelicans in his fifth start, while Tony Bucciferro (6-7, 3.81 ERA) pitches for the Dash. The game can be heard live on WRNN AM 1450 ESPN Myrtle Beach, on the TuneIn Radio App, and via the MiLB First Pitch App, beginning with the Hampton Inn Pregame Show at 6:40 p.m.

The Pelicans return home July 11 to open a four-game series with the Lynchburg Hillcats.

Season Seats, Mini Plans, Flex Books, and single game tickets are available to see the Pelicans in 2014. For more information on tickets, please call (843) 918-6002, e-mail [email protected], visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com, or visit the Pelicans box office, which is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.