LILLINGTON, N.C. (April 15, 2018) – Pelicans starter Matt Swarmer whiffed eight Astros over five innings of work Monday, but Myrtle Beach was held to just one hit in a 3-0 loss at Bueis Creek from Jim Perry Stadium.
The Buies Creek (7-5) tandem of Abdiel Saldana and Jorge Alcala was dominant, holding the Pelicans (3-9) hitless until Kevonte Mitchell stroked a one-out single in the eighth. Saldana walked two and struck out two in five innings to earn the win. Alcala came on and punched out seven over four frames to pick up his first save.
The Astros got on the board in their first at-bats. Ronnie Dawson doubled to begin the bottom of the first and came in to score immediately on Josh Rojas’ RBI double.
From there, Swarmer settled in, finishing with just one run surrendered on four hits in his five frames. The Kutztown right-hander walked one and fanned eight, including the side in the fourth inning. Jordan Minch came out of the bullpen to fire two scoreless innings of relief.
With the score still 1-0 in the eighth, Dawson walked and stole second with one out. Two batters later, Abraham Toro doubled him in. After an Osvaldo Duarte single, Chas McCormich notched an RBI base hit to widen the gap to 3-0.
RHP Keegan Thompson (0-2, 8.68 ERA) starts for the Birds in Tuesday’s 7 p.m. contest against Buies Creek RHP Hector Perez (0-0, 5.14 ERA). Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on MyrtleBeachPelicans.com/Broadcast, the MiLB First Pitch app and TuneIn.
The 2018 season is the 20th season for the Pelicans franchise and fourth as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For tickets visit MyrtleBeachPelicans.com/tickets, call (843) 918-6000, or visit the Pelicans Box Office.
Pelicans 1-Hit in Loss to Buies Creek, 3-0
