A classic pitching duel came down to a close call in the field in the Kinston Indians' 1-0 victory over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on Thursday night at BB&T Coastal Field.

After both teams battled through eight scoreless innings, the Indians managed to plate the go-ahead run in the ninth and the Pelicans were a double-play call from tying it at 1-all in the bottom of the frame. With one out and runners on the corners, Travis Adair hit into a game-ending double play that instant replay showed too close to call.

"Anyway you lose is bad, but that was a close one," Myrtle Beach manager Jason Wood said of Adair's run to first. "That's the way he called it so what can you do?"

The Indians broke the scoreless tie in the top of the ninth after Adam Abraham led off with a double and Chase Burnette drove him in with a bloop single that diving center fielder Ryan Strausborger couldn't handle.

But the Pelicans came close to forcing extra inning with the Indians for the third straight meeting after Zach Zaneski and Mitch Hilligoss singled in the ninth. Adair, who was recalled to Myrtle Beach from Double-A Frisco on Wednesday, nearly plated the tying run but was called out on a bang-bang play at first.

The ending spoiled an otherwise outstanding pitching battle that saw Pelicans starter Barret Loux turn in another improved performance. Loux struck out 11 batters and allowed six hits in six scoreless innings, but missed out on scoring his fifth straight victory.

"I think the All-Star break was really good for Barret because he's been sharp ever since," Wood said. "He has good command and control right now and he showed it tonight."

Meanwhile, Kinston starter Brett Brach was turning in an outstanding performance for the Indians. He scattered five hits over eight scoreless innings, striking out three and walking none to earn the win and improve to 5-5 on the season. Jose Flores came in to close out the ninth.

Loux was relieved by Jose Ortiz in the seventh and he immediately struck out the side to give the Pelicans' pitching staff 14 strikeouts on the night. But he was unable to stop the Indians' onslaught in the ninth, giving up three straight hits to start the inning.

The win allowed the Indians (6-2 second half, 44-33) to edge ahead of the Pelicans (5-3, 45-32) in the second half standings of the Carolina League Southern Division. The two teams play the rubber match of their three-game series tonight at 7 before the Pelicans embark on a two-week road trip.

E--Toole (4, throw). LOB--Kinston 9, Myrtle Beach 7. 2B--Abraham (19, Ortiz). DP --Kinston: 2 (Toole-Frawley-Tice, Frawley-Toole-Tice). Myrtle Beach: (Hilligoss-Chirino-McGuiness). SB --Toole (14, 2nd base off Loux/Zaneski), Abraham (2, 2nd base off Loux/Zaneski).

HBP --Prince (by Brach). Umpires--Home, Kiff Kinkead; First, Aaron Roberts. T--2:19. A--4,471.