Travis Jones Heroics Give Myrtle Beach Pelicans a 3-2 Win Over Frederick Keys

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com - MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - Myrtle Beach, S.C. – It was only appropriate that Travis Jones was at the plate with two outs in the bottom of the ninth.  After making a game saving catch in the top of the ninth, Jones hit a walk off single to give the Pelicans a 3-2 win over the Keys in front of 6,019 fans at BB&T Coastal Field.  The overflow crowd was the largest regular-season non-home opener crowd in Pelicans franchise history. 

The Pelicans and the Keys were fully engaged in a pitcher’s duel for the first six innings.  Atlanta Braves rehabbing reliever Jeff Bennett pitched a scoreless first inning before handing the ball to Kyle Cofield.  Frederick starter Jake Arrieta, who will compete with the U.S. Olympic Baseball team in Beijing, blanked the Pelicans in seven innings.  He allowed only three hits and struck out eight.  Cofield was also stellar in five innings, giving up just four hits and no runs.

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The Keys cracked the scoreboard in the seventh.  Justin Johnson led off the frame with a single.  Following an error by pitcher Lee Hyde and a sacrifice bunt by Danny Figueroa, Johnson advanced to third.  One batter later, Brandon Snyder lifted a fly ball to center that was deep enough to score Johnson. 

In the bottom of the eighth, the Pelicans stole the lead away from the Keys.  Gorkys Hernandez singled to open up the inning.  Then, Travis Jones connected on his team-high 16^th home run of the season to give the Pelicans a 2-1 lead entering the ninth.

The Keys plated a run in the ninth to square the game at 2-2.  Justin Johnson led off with a double off the top of the right-center field wall.  Then, Jason White placed a sacrifice bunt that Fellman threw erratically to first, allowing Johnson to score.

In the bottom of the ninth, Hernandez hit a two-out double down the left field line.  Then, Travis Jones poked a flare into center field that scored Hernandez to give the Pelicans the win.  He was responsible for all three Pelicans runs. 

Although Fellman missed a save opportunity in the ninth, he earned the win.  Keys reliever Fredy Deza was hit with the loss.

Following an off day, the Pelicans will open a three-game series against the Winston-Salem Warthogs on Friday, July 25^th at 7:05 p.m.  The Pelicans will send RHP Chris Vines (4-1, 4.07) to the mound, while the Keys will counter with RHP Clevelan Santeliz (2-4, 3.82).

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