Jefferson Rojas – Pic by Larry Kave/Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Between the All-Star break and traveling to the Quad Cities, it’s been a long time since I stayed at home and watched minor league baseball. In fact, I didn’t remember until 5:30 that there were actually games today as I was busy redoing part of my deck and watching for transactions. But there was baseball and let’s just say that hot was the word of the day.

Kicking Butt and Taking Names in South Carolina

The Pelicans continued their winning ways tonight. It began with a double in the bottom of the first by Jefferson Rojas to score Reivaj Garcia. Then Parker Chavers doubled to bring in Rojas and Andy Garriola scored on an error to make it 3 to 0. The Birds added two more in the second as Andy Garriola singled in one and Parker Chavers added his second RBI with a single to make it 5-0.

Starting Pitcher of the Day

Righty Nick Hull showed again why he should be in South Bend with 5.2 scoreless innings, no runs, and 5 Ks.

Hitter of the Day

Jefferson Rojas put the game further out of reach in the sixth when he hit a grand slam. For the day, Rojas went 2-for-5 with 5 RBI. 

Honorable Mention

Parker Chavers went 4-for-4. Promote that dude!

This team is a juggernaut as they went on to win 13-2.

Picture of the Day

Our own Rich will be in Myrtle Beach all week. Look for some great pics like this one!

Your First Place Smokies

They seem to be on a roll, and I’m going to be doing an affiliate update on them next week at some point. Pablo Aliendo broke the scoring open with a two-run homer to put the Smokies in front in the bottom of the second.

Unfortunately, the Braves got to DJ Herz in the third plating 3 runs to take the lead. They added two more HRs in the fifth to make it 5-2. Samuel Reyes came in and finished the inning after Herz. In the seventh, Nelson Maldonado homered to make it 5-3. However, the Smokies were not done scoring after that. After Andy Weber walked, PCA cranked a 2-run homer to tie the game. Bradlee Beesley scored the go ahead run in the 8th and BJ Murray came around to score the insurance run for the 7-5 win.

Reliever of the Day

Porter Hodge was dealing for the Smokies. He went two scoreless with 3 Ks and held the tie and got the win.

Trouble in South Bend

Luis Devers struggled on the mound as he gave up three in the first today and one more in the second. He only made it three innings today. The problems that have been plaguing South Bend continued to raise their heads as they struggled to put runs on the board and keep runs off. In fact, the West Michigan Whitecaps held them hitless with a perfect game through 5. The perfect game ended in the sixth with two out as Christian Franklin walked on four pitches. The no-hitter was still intact. That disappeared with the next hitter James Triantos singling to center to end the no-no. It was still 4-0 when the inning ended. Moises Ballesteros also singled later and Kevin Alcantara added a double in the ninth. It’s hard to win when you only get three hits and don’t score any runs.

Back in Iowa…

Jordan Wicks’ first two starts had not been anything to write home about. Coming into the game, he had a 5.79 ERA. would click for him. An Edwin Rios dinger and 2 run double by Yonathan Perlaza gave Wicks some breathing room at 3-0. Then Perlaza jacked a 2 run homer to make it 5-1.

However, Wicks was charged with two runs in the fifth, 3 total on the day in 4 IP as he was replaced by Hunter Bigge with no outs in the fifth. His ERA is now 6.08.

The Iowa bullpen held serve the rest of the game and the bats added 2 more runs via a Luis Vazquez double that scored Alexander Canario and Bryce Windham had a sac fly to also drive in Canario. Iowa got it done 7-3.

Rookie League Shout Out

Today requires a special shout out to Diego Dugarte down in the Dominican  who pitched five innings, gave up one run, and struck out eight. That is a good day!