Pelicans finish off one, add another win over Astros as they eye sweep
Game 1 final score
Myrtle Beach Pelicans 8, Buies Creek Astros 5 (F/10)
Turning point
After Buies Creek scored runs in the seventh and eighth innings to tie things up, Myrtle Beach pushed across three of its own to seize hold of the contest. Three singles in a row loaded the bases, with a passed ball bringing in the winning run for the Pelicans. An Eloy Jimenez walk followed by a Jesse Hodges sacrifice fly offered the Birds their final run tally in a winning effort.
Offensive star
Myrtle Beach leadoff man Bryant Flete was 3-for-5 in Sunday’s games suspended till Monday due to inclement weather in the Buies Creek area. He scored two runs for the Pelicans in the win.
Decision takers
Winner: Pedro Araujo (3-0) went 1 2/3 innings, scattering four hits while allowing one run. He struck out one Buies Creek batter.
Loser: Ralph Garza (1-1) gave up three runs on as many hits in an inning of work to pick up the loss.
By the numbers
Game 2 final score
Myrtle Beach Pelicans 1, Buies Creek Astros 0
Turning point
A double by Connor Myers to lead off the fifth got Myrtle Beach off to a good start in the fifth. After a Trent Giambrone line out moved him up 90 feet, P.J. Higgins’ sacrifice fly brought him in for the only run of the game.
Offensive star
Myrtle Beach left fielder Connor Myers only had one base hit in the game, but it was a big one as his double put him in line to score the game’s only run. He was 1-for-3 on the night.
Decision takers
Winner: Pelicans right-hander Michael Rucker pitched five innings of solid ball on Monday, scattering one hit while striking out six Buies Creek batters en route to picking up a win.
Loser: Buies Creek starter Brett Adcock found himself on the wrong end of a pitchers’ duel, scattering four hits and giving up one run in a losing effort. He struck out five.
By the numbers
Keeping record
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans now find themselves 33-25 for the season, a game ahead of Buies Creek (32-26), while finding themselves three games ahead of the Carolina Mudcats in the win column.
On deck
Myrtle Beach wraps up its three-game set with the Buies Creek Astros on Tuesday, first pitch at 7 p.m. Ryan Kellogg (2-3, 4.62 ERA) will take the hill for the Pelicans after a solid start this past weekend. Countering for the Astros will be lefty Ryan Hartman (0-1, 14.73 ERA).
Joe L. Hughes II: 843-444-1702, @thejournalist44
This story was originally published June 5, 2017 at 9:51 PM with the headline "Pelicans finish off one, add another win over Astros as they eye sweep."