In my 3 years of traveling to cover events, nothing beats the beach. Some way, some how, I always end up at the beach. Being from West Virginia and referring to Myrtle Beach as “West Virginia’s” beach is an all too common phrase, but this place is my second home. Now that I’ve said “Beach” 18 times I’ll get to the point. When visiting one of the most popular beaches on the east coast you may think of ocean, food, fishing, etc. From this point on you should throw the word “baseball” in the mix. The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are an Advanced Single A Ball Club of the Chicago Cubs, and have been since 2014. Eight blocks from Broadway At The Beach you will find TicketReturn.com Field where the Pelicans call home. Those who know the old Watt Powell Park in Kanawha City, WV could see an eerily resemblance of the two; Family friendly atmosphere, accommodating, Southern Hospitality from top to bottom, easily a top to do list item. Now to the game itself.
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans would take on the Wilmington Blue Rocks on a scorching Sunday Evening. The Pelicans were riding a 2 game win streak coming into the game while sitting in first place. The Blue Rocks would be bringing up the bottom of the Carolina League Standings. It was a shaky start to the game for Pelicans pitcher Jonathan Martinez who would give up 4 runs through 5.1 innings, but would get help from the offense behind him. The Blue Rocks would plate 3 runs in the first to take an early 3-0 lead, and bring one more run across in the 3rd to go up 4-0. The Pelicans rallied in the 3rd bringing 6 runs across on a Yasiel Balaguert double that would make it 4-3, only to be followed up by a couple more timely hits including a 2 run bloop by Tyler Pearson to make it 6-4 after 3. The Pelicans could have had an insurance run in the bottom of the 6th by an Andrew Ely frozen rope off of the left field wall if it wasn’t for Jesse Hodges getting caught in a rundown while at 3rd base. There would be no more scoring on the night as the game would end in the Pelicans favor 6-4. Also, on the night Pelicans skipper Buddy Bailey would earn his 1900th win. The Pelicans will stay at home for 3 more against the Carolina Mudcats from 7/25-7/27.
WP– Jonathan Martinez (8-5) 4.07 ERA
LP– Griffin (2-7) 7.09 ERA
Save– Ryan McNeil (15th)
Standout Players for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans–
Balaguert- 2-4 2db’s 3 RBI’s,
Pearson- 1-4 2RBI’s
Hodges- 2-3 2db
Side Note: If you would like to learn more about the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Ball Club please refer to http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t521
Written By: Joshua Petry
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