MYRTLE BEACH — The Pelicans scored five runs in the first two frames and tallied 12 hits in the game as Myrtle Beach downed Potomac 9-2 to tie the series on Wednesday at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark.

“These guys put together some good at-bats against a good right-handed pitcher,” Pelicans manager Jason Wood said. “We were aggressive in the zone early, put players on base and put the pressure on them. It was good to see for our offense tonight [Wednesday].”

Myrtle Beach starter Luke Jackson allowed one run on only two hits and walked three in 5 2/3 innings for the win as he improves to 4-1 on the season.

“Good performance by Jackson,” Wood said. “He had a good fastball and did a good job controlling the game.”

Jimmy Reyes allowed one run (not earned) on two hits and one walk and struck out three in 1 1/3 frames out of the Pelicans bullpen. Zach Osborne and Francisco Mendoza tossed a perfect inning each out the bullpen.

“Once again, these guys were ready to pitch,” Wood said. “When they’re out there they’re ready to go. Jimmy Reyes has been consistent the last two times he’s been out and Mendoza shut the door. Good all-around performance by the bullpen.”

The Pelicans took advantage early when Teodoro Martinez hit a bases clearing three-run single that put Myrtle Beach ahead 3-0 in the first inning.

The Pelicans added two more runs in the second inning. Hanser Alberto singled in Edwin Garcia, and Jhonny Gomez scored on a throwing error by Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon to give Myrtle Beach a five-run advantage.

“It set the tone,” Wood said of scoring early. “It was something we needed to.”

Vinny DiFazio drove in Alberto on a double in the bottom of the sixth to put the Pelicans back up by five. Myrtle Beach added another run in the sixth when Chris Grayson doubled in DiFazio for a 7-1 Pelicans lead.

Myrtle Beach pushed across two more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Jeremy Williams singled in DiFazio, and Chris Grayson scored on a wild pitch as the Pelicans grabbed a 9-2 lead.

Potomac scored its first run in the top of the sixth inning when Kevin Keyes singled in Francisco Soriano to cut the Nationals’ deficit to four. Soriano doubled in Jeff Howell in the top of the seventh to cut Potomac’s deficit to five.

Nathan Karns received the loss for Potomac as he allowed five runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks in two innings.

The Pelicans take on the Nationals in the series finale at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday.

Contact MAX McKINNON at 444-1767.