Myrtle Beach Pelicans fall to Frederick Keys in extra innings
Final score
Frederick Keys 8, Myrtle Beach Pelicans 7 (11)
Turning point
After Frederick raced out to a quick 4-0 advantage in the first three innings, Myrtle Beach pounced on the Keys for six runs – five on base hits and one on a wild pitch – in the bottom of the fourth, highlighted by Gleyber Torres’ two-RBI single to give the Pelicans a three-run cushion.
Not over yet
Wynston Sawyer hit a solo home run in the seventh, Steve Wilkerson hit an RBI single in the eighth, and Aderlin Rodriguez extended his Carolina League lead in home runs with a solo blast in the top of the ninth to tie up the game, which went to extra innings.
Final blow
After Pelicans outfielder Rashad Crawford grounded out with two outs and the bases loaded to end the 10th inning, the Keys scored a run in the 11th as Sawyer crossed the plate on a double play ball. Then, the Pelicans went down in order in the bottom of 11th inning to end the game.
The man
Rodriguez, who was 4-for-5 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored.
He said it
We didn’t play good defense to start things off in the first inning and they got three runs, and then we did a great job coming back and getting the lead. One pitch away [from winning], and then [Rodriguez] hit a home run to tie it. We had a chance there to win it, but didn’t get it done. We didn’t get a hit over the last six innings, and it’s going to be hard to score if you don’t get a hit or some hits somewhere in there. … We didn’t put in enough good at-bats with men in scoring position to get it done. So it’s just one of those things.
Bailey
Decision takers
W–Jeff Beliveau (4-0, 3.41 ERA); L–Tommy Thorpe (4-6, 4.10)
Started things off
Pelicans starter Erick Leal struck out three, gave up six hits, walked one and allowed four runs (two earned) in five innings of work for a no-decision as he failed to extend his Carolina League-leading win total (10).
By the numbers
Keeping records
Myrtle Beach Pelicans (47-45 overall, 11-11 second half), Frederick Keys (48-43, 12-9)
Noteworthy
The game, which was scheduled to start at 7:05 p.m., didn’t get underway until 8:15 p.m. due to a rain delay.
The game also went into extra innings and lasted nearly four hours, going well past midnight.
Max McKinnon: 843-626-0302, @mmckinnonTSN
Next up
Who: Myrtle Beach Pelicans at Winston-Salem Dash
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday
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Watch: MiLB.TV
This story was originally published July 16, 2016 at 4:37 PM with the headline "Myrtle Beach Pelicans fall to Frederick Keys in extra innings."