Myrtle Beach Pelicans Avoid Salem Avalanche and Take Win 8-4 - Adv A, Carolina League

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - SALEM, VA - Ernesto Mejia drove in a franchise record tying six runs, including his second home run of the series as the Pelicans took game three of a four-game series, 8-4, on Friday night at Salem Memorial Stadium.

For the second straight night, the Avalanche did their most damage in the second inning as they stormed to the lead against Pelicans' starter Ryne Reynoso.  Jimmy Van Ostrand led off and reached on an error on Travis Jones.  Orlando Rosales followed with a single and Reynoso walked Koby Clemens to load the bases.  Jhon Florentino then stepped in and drilled a bases-clearing double off the wall in left-center field for a 3-0 Salem lead.

Mejia erased the lead in the top of the third.  With Travis Jones and Brandon Hicks aboard, Mejia blasted his second home run of the series into the trees beyond the wall in left field, and the Pelicans had a clean slate at 3-3.

Salem went right back on top in the bottom of the inning.  Tim Torres doubled off of Reynoso and scored as Mark Ori singled through the right side of the infield for a 4-3 Avalanche advantage.

The Pelicans took the lead for the first time in the top of the fourth inning.  Reliever Joel Santo entered for Salem and gave up a one-out single to Robert Marcial.  After Concepcion Rodriguez flew out, Jones ripped his fourth home run of the year to left field and Myrtle Beach led, 5-4.

After staving off a couple of charges from Salem , the Pelicans and Mejia iced the game in the ninth.  Jones, Hicks and Flowers all reached to start the inning and load the bases, setting the stage for Mejia's historic double down the left field line that equaled the franchise mark, clearing the bases and putting the Pelicans up 8-4.

Reynoso (3-1) worked six innings for the third consecutive start, and claimed his third consecutive win.  Santo was tagged with his first loss in relief after permitting Jones' blast. 

Kevin Gunderson picked up his eighth save of the season as he closed out the game.  Jones went 4-for-5 on the night, with two doubles and a home run.  Jon Mark Owings also doubled twice for Myrtle Beach .

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