Hatch shuts down Frederick Keys, leads Pelicans to first half division crown

Final score

Myrtle Beach Pelicans 3, Frederick Keys 0

Turning point

Up a run in the second inning, shortstop Trent Giambrone’s two-run homer took some of the anxiety out of the Pelicans’ dugout, along with enough of a cushion to cruise to a sweep over the visiting Frederick Keys.

Offensive star

Myrtle Beach center fielder Robert Garcia was 2-for-4 with a run scored for the Pelicans.

Decision takers

Winner: Thomas Hatch (2-6) put in eight innings of work, scattering six hits while striking out seven in a winning cause.

Loser: Cristian Alvarado (3-7) went 6 1/3 innings, yielding three runs on six hits. He struck out three Myrtle Beach batters in the game.

By the numbers

Keeping record

By virtue of its sweep of Frederick, the Pelicans are now 40-26 on the season. The club has also claimed the Carolina League Southern Division first half title, earned as a result of its win and a Buies Creek loss to Potomac on Wednesday. The Frederick Keys fall to 29-36.

On deck

Myrtle Beach heads north to Kinston, N.C., where it will take on the Down East Wood Ducks in a four-game series to close the first half of the Carolina League season. First pitch on Thursday night is 7:05 p.m.

This story was originally published June 14, 2017 at 11:11 PM with the headline "Hatch shuts down Frederick Keys, leads Pelicans to first half division crown."