Pelican blunders continue team’s struggles against Carolina League foe Buies Creek

Final score

Buies Creek Astros 6, Myrtle Beach Pelicans 2

Turning point

In the second, Buies Creek loaded the bases courtesy of solid work at the plate and bad decisions by the Pelicans.

Anibal Sierra started the frame with a double, advancing to third by way of an Arturo Michelena — who reached base on Hatch’s attempt to take out the lead runner — sacrifice bunt. Hatch would load the bases two batters later by way of a walk to Ryan Birk, with a free pass to the following batter Jake Rogers allowing the Astros to take a 2-1 lead. Kyle Tucker’s single a hitter later would plate two more, giving them what would prove to be an insurmountable advantage.

Offensive star

Buies Creek right fielder Kyle Ticker was 2-for-4 with three RBIs on the night, helping ensure the Astros of another series with at Ticket Return.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark.

Decision takers

Winner: Buies Creek starter Brett Adcock (1-1) went five innings, scattering three hits while yielding two runs in a winning effort. He struck out four Myrtle Beach batters while walking two.

Loser: Myrtle Beach’s Thomas Hatch (0-4) went five innings, giving up five runs — four earned — on five hits. While he struck out seven, the Pelicans starter walked four.

By the numbers

Keeping record

Myrtle Beach falls to 21-19 for the season, four games behind Buies Creek (25-15) in the Carolina League’s Southern Division.

This story was originally published May 17, 2017 at 10:44 PM with the headline "Pelican blunders continue team’s struggles against Carolina League foe Buies Creek."