Pelicans rally too little, too late

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (JULY 10, 2014) - The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Texas Rangers, lost the series finale 3-2 to the Winston-Salem Dash at BB&T Ballpark on Thursday night. The Pelicans collected three hits but left the tying and go-ahead runs on in the ninth and lost the series three games to one.

The Pelicans (12-10, 56-34) threatened with two runners on in the first but failed to score off of right-hander Terance Marin. The Dash (12-10, 42-49), meanwhile, went right to work against southpaw Martire Garcia. Dash center fielder Jacob May launched his second home run of the season to lead off the ballgame for the Winston-Salem bats. Both of his home runs have come against the Pelicans and both in his team's first at bat.

With two outs, Jason Coats singled and advanced to second on a balk by Garcia. Keon Barnum then doubled to left field to plate Coats and put the Dash ahead 2-0.

Myrtle Beach scratched across a run in the second. With one down, David Lyon was hit by a 1-1 pitch. He advanced to second on a fielder's choice and scored on a double by Kevin Torres, who had two hits on the night. The Pelicans would not score against Marin the rest of the night.

The Dash retook a two-run lead with a solo home run in the third from Joey DeMichele.

Garcia worked a perfect fourth inning to finish his night. He allowed three runs, all earned, on five hits and a walk with three strikeouts in his first start since 2011, getting the nod in the place of the injured Sam Wolff.

The Pelicans bullpen kept the club in the game. Justin Sprenger fired three scoreless innings, allowing just two singles and a walk, and Jose Leclerc tossed a perfect eighth inning.

The Birds picked up a hit in the third, fourth, sixth, and seventh but couldn't put a run across. In the eighth, they got two on without a hit before reliever Jose Bautista struck out Preston Beck and Royce Bolinger to end the frame.

With the score still 3-1 in the ninth inning, Myrtle Beach collected three straight hits with one out. Edwin Garcia doubled to the left field corner to force Bautista from the game. On came Kyle Hansen who surrendered an opposite field knock to pinch hitter Jorge Alfaro to put the tying run on base.

Then Luis Mendez went after the first pitch he saw, lifting a single to shallow left center field to score Garcia and bring the Pelicans within one run. With the tying run at second base, Christopher Bostick popped out to the catcher in a 13-pitch at bat before Lewis Brinson bounced out to third base to end the ballgame.

Marin (3-0) picked up the win, while Garcia (1-2) suffered the defeat. Hansen (2) picked up the save by recording the final two outs.

The Pelicans head back home to begin a four-game series with the Lynchburg Hillcats at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. First pitch on Friday night is set for 7:05 p.m. Andrew Faulkner (7-1, 2.22 ERA) takes the ball for the Pelicans against top Braves pitching prospect Lucas Sims (6-7, 5.23 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 is first of four newly added $1.00 Beer Nights at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. Fans can enjoy $1.00 draught beer from 6:00-8:00 p.m. It's also a Backpack Buddies School Supplies Drive; if fans donate school supplies, they will receive a free poster from 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.