9-run fourth inning all Buies Creek needs to continue mastery of Pelicans

Final score

Buies Creek Astros 9, Myrtle Beach Pelicans 4

Turning point

Down 1-0 in the fourth, Buies Creek brought 13 batters to the plate en route to scoring nine runs. In the frame, there were four hits, five walks, an error and a walk. The avalanche of runs also spelled the end of the line for Myrtle Beach starter Thomas Hatch, who left after 3 2/3 innings of work.

Offensive star

Buies Creek right fielder Myles Straw was 3-for-5 on the night, scoring two runs and bringing in another. He was the only Astros player to have a multi-hit game on Thursday.

Decision takers

Winner: Hector Perez (1-0) picked up his first win of the season, giving up four runs — two earned — on three hits. He struck out seven while walking two in the effort.

Loser: Thomas Hatch (0-3) remains without a win this season after going 3 2/3 innings, giving up five runs — one earned — on two hits/ He struck out five while walking four.

By the numbers

Keeping record

With the loss, Myrtle Beach falls to 15-13. Buies Creek, meanwhile, ups its record to 19-9, opening up a four-game lead in the Carolina League’s Southern Division over the second place Pelicans.

Up next

Myrtle Beach and Buies Creek continue their four-game set with first pitch at 7:05 p.m. Justin Steele will take the hill for the Pelicans, while Elieser Hernandez gets the start for the Astros.

This story was originally published May 4, 2017 at 11:33 PM with the headline "9-run fourth inning all Buies Creek needs to continue mastery of Pelicans."