Myrtle Beach Pelicans Defeat Wilmington Blue Rocks 3-1 - Advanced A, Carolina League

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com – Wilmington, D.E. - The Myrtle Beach Pelicans (23-13) took advantage of two key Wilmington defensive miscues to defeat the Blue Rocks 3-1 at Frawley Stadium.  The win marks the Pelicans first series sweep of the season and their eighth consecutive series win, dating back to their series win over the Winston-Salem Warthogs (4/14-4/16).  The Pelicans will enter their upcoming series against the P-Nats with the best record in the Carolina League.  
 
The Blue Rocks jumped on the board first in the bottom of the second.  Anthony Seratelli led off with a double.  He advanced to third on a groundout by Matthew Morizio.  With Jarrod Dyson batting, Pelicans starter Chris Vines, who is taking Tommy Hanson's spot in the pitching rotation, threw a wild pitch, which allowed Seratelli to trot home for the games first run.

ADVERTISEMENT  
The Pelicans inched within one run in the top of the third.  A two out throwing error by third baseman Joshua Johnson aided the Pelicans cause.  Blue Rocks starter Jason Godin issued a wild pitch to put Travis Jones into scoring position.  Brandon Hicks capitalized by singling up the middle to cut the deficit to 2-1.
 
The Pelicans flapped their wings in the top of the fifth.  Once again, the Blue Rocks committed a two-out error that the Pelicans parlayed into runs. Phillip Britton reached on an error by second baseman Kurt Mertins.  Then, Robert Marcial ripped a double to left field to score Britton.  Travis Jones followed with a double of his own that brought home Marcial to put the Pelicans on top 3-1.
 
Chris Vines pitched very admirably in replace of Tommy Hanson, who was promoted to Double-A Mississippi on Saturday.  In his first start since August 12th, 2007, Vines went 4.1 innings, scattering just four hits and a lone run.  Vines struck out four Blue Rocks and only issued one free pass.
 
Pelicans reliever Brett Butts took over in the middle of the fifth and proceeded to stymie the Blue Rocks over the next three plus innings.  He only allowed just a single hit and struck out five to earn his third win of the season.  Nick Fellman entered in the ninth and finished the job to secure his first save of the year.

If you like the daily news of the Raw Feed, SUBSCRIBE TODAY to the nation's only alternative professional sports magazine, SZ, with original features and great action photography in baseball, hockey, basketball, and football. Just $11.99 per year for an e-zine like youʼve never seen!