MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (May 10, 2018) – Despite a four-run first inning on Thursday night, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans fell 8-5 to the Buies Creek Astros from TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. 

The first six men reached for the Pelicans (13-21) in the first inning. Connor Myersdoubled to lead off the frame before P.J. Higgins singled him home to give the Birds a 1-0 lead. Following a Vimael Machin single, Wladimir Galindo ripped an RBI double to plate Higgins. Tyler Alamo followed with a two-run two-bagger of his own to make 4-0 Myrtle Beach after one inning.

The Astros (21-13) fought back with two runs in the top of the second off of Myrtle Beach starter Alex Lange (1-2). Troy Sieber bounced into a fielder’s choice that scored a run and another came across to score on a throwing error to cut the Pelicans’ lead to 4-2.

In the top of the sixth, the Astros exploded for six runs to take the lead for good. Ronnie Dawson singled home Alfredo Angarita to pull within one and Osvaldo Duarte gave the Astros the lead with a two-run base hit. Anibal Sierra tacked on more with a two-run double and Caroles Canelon plated another run with a base hit to make it 8-4 Astros. 

An RBI single by Higgins in the seventh brought the Birds within three runs, but they could not complete the comeback. Higgins finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs on his 25th birthday. He also caught four Astros stealing.

Ronel Blanco (3-1) tossed 4.1 shutout innings out of the bullpen with six strikeouts to earn the win. Brandon Bielak pitched four innings, striking out six of his own, to pocket his first save. 

The Pelicans will play game two of the four-game tilt against the Buies Creek Astros on Friday at 7:05 p.m. The Birds will send RHP Matt Swarmer (3-2, 1.32 ERA) against the Astros’ RHP Hector Perez (0-1, 5.91 ERA). Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on MiLB.tv, MyrtleBeachPelicans.com/Broadcast, TuneIn and the MiLB First Pitch app. 

Friday is Beer, Brats and Baseball presented by Lowes Foods with $2 Craft Drafts from 6 to 8 p.m. and buy-one-get-one free sausages all night long.