Rafael Furcal didn’t do it. Neither did Bryan McCann, Jared Saltalamacchia, nor any other future big leaguers to play for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans for the past 13 years.
But current Pelicans Odubel Herrera only became the second Pelican in franchise history to hit safely in 20 consecutive games on Wednesday night, tying JC Holt’s 2006 record. Herrera goes for sole possession of the record Thursday night.
Herrera extended his streak from 18 to 20 as the Pelicans split a doubleheader with the Potomac Nationals Wednesday, dropping the completion of Tuesday’s rain suspended game 5-3, and winning the seven inning nightcap 1-0.
Already trailing when the first game resumed in the fifth inning, Myrtle Beach allowed Potomac to score two more runs in the fifth and seventh innings respectively. Randol Rojas allowed the first run in two innings of relief work Rojas spelled Roman Mendez, who started the game Tuesday.
Jose Monegro allowed the second of the pair, an RBI single from MLB rehabber Michael Morse. The righty went two, allowing a run on two hits while striking out one, in his debut for the Pelicans.
The Pelicans did put three runs up after the resumption. Jared Hoying homered for the fourth time to make it 4-1 in the sixth. Josh Richmond doubled, stole third and scored on a Herrera groundout in the eighth to make it 5-2. Christian Villanueva doubled in the ninth and scored on a groundout by Jake Skole for the 5-3 final.
The second game got off to a record tying start for the Pelicans. Herrera led off in the first inning with a single to leftfield. The hit extended his hitting streak to a team record 20 consecutive games.
Herrera ties JC Holt, who also hit in 20 straight in 2006. With a hit Thursday Herrera will hold the Myrtle Beach hit streak record to himself.
Despite the landmark hit in the first, Herrera did not score. The game’s lone run waited until the fourth, when Villanueva came in on a single from Santiago Chirino.
The run provided all the support starter Nick Tepesch needed. The righty went five and two thirds shutout, scattering eight hits and striking out six. He allowed two of those eight hits to Morse.
The Pelicans, now 25-24, try to take three of four from Potomac with Kyle Hendricks on the mound Thursday. First pitch is at 7:05.
