Pelicans open second half with victory

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (JUNE 19, 2014) - The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Texas Rangers, opened the second half of the season with an 8-2 comeback victory over the Wilmington Blue Rocks on Thursday night at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark in front of a sellout crowd of 6,599. Hanser Alberto hit his first career grand slam. Chad Bell won his first start of the year for Myrtle Beach.

In his return to the Grand Strand, Bell, who underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2013, pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing eight hits, two runs, two walks, and striking out one. Bell spent all of 2011 with the Pelicans and the beginning of 2012 with the club.

The Blue Rocks (0-1, 33-36) started the scoring in the top of third inning. With one out, Jack Lopez singled to right field. In the next at-bat, Bubba Starling launched an RBI triple to deep right-center field, scoring Lopez. The Blue Rocks led 1-0.

Wilmington pushed its lead to 2-0 in the top of the fourth. Cam Gallagher led the inning off with a single. Daniel Rockett hit a sacrifice bunt to move Gallagher to second base. Kenny Diekroeger then singled on a ground ball to shallow right field, advancing Gallagher to third. With runners on the corners, Terrance Gore grounded into a fielder's choice. Gallagher scored on the play.

The Pelicans (1-0, 45-24) cut the Blue Rocks' lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning. With one out, Alberto doubled down the left field line. Two batters later, David Lyon scored Alberto from third base with an infield single.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Pelicans took the lead for good. With one out, Jose Cardona, Luis Mendez, and Garia hit consecutive singles to load the bases, two of which did not leave the infield. Alberto hit the first pitch he saw from Blue Rocks starter Luis Santos for a grand slam into the Budweiser Thirst Inning Deck in left field. The Birds led 5-2 after the fifth inning.

Alberto's grand slam was his second home run of the season. It was the first grand slam of his career and the third hit by the team this year, all at home.

The Pelicans knocked in two more runs in the bottom of the seventh on Preston Beck's two-run single and another run in the bottom of the eighth on a Kevin Torres RBI single.

Bell (1-0) earned the win. Santos (0-1) took the loss.

The Birds play the second game of a three-game series against the Blue Rocks on Friday night. Sam Wolff (6-3, 2.77 ERA) commands the mound for the Pelicans against Blue Rocks starter Sean Manaea (2-5, 4.84 ERA). 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 6:45 p.m.

Friday night is Ladies Night, sponsored by Star 92.1 and WMBF News. All women attending the game will receive $3.00 off of their ticket purchase. Ladies can also purchase wine for half-price from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Friday night will also feature a Backpack Buddies School Supplies Drive. Fans who donate approved school supplies will receive a free poster, courtesy of Miller-Motte Technical College.

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.