The Myrtle Beach Pelicans suffered their biggest setback of the season Sunday, tripping up in a 12-1 loss to the Salem Red Sox at Lewis Gale Field.
The Red Sox jumped on the Pelicans early and often, scoring three times in the third inning, once in the second, four times in the fourth, once in the fifth and two times in the sixth before finishing with another tally in the eighth. All 11 Salem position players that played picked up at least one hit.
Most of Salem’s damage came via the double. The Red Sox finished with eight doubles, the most against Myrtle Beach this season. Travis Shaw hit two doubles in addition to his sixth home run. Xander Bogaerts was a triple shy of the cycle when he was removed for James Kang in the seventh.
Former Gamecock Jackie Bradley Jr. continued to hit Pelicans pitching, going 1-3 with a double and two knocked in. Bradley Jr. is now 15-for-33 against Myrtle Beach this season.
Pelicans starter Roman Mendez lasted only three and two thirds innings, surrendering a season high eight runs on 10 hits. Jose Monegro allowed three runs in three and a third after that and Ben Rowen allowed one run in the eighth, his lone frame. Mendez took the loss. The win went to Salem’s starter Keith Couch. The righty is now 5-3 after dealing six innings of one-run ball.
Myrtle Beach mustered six hits in the game, including doubles by Santiago Chirino and Jake Skole. Christian Villanueva did blast his third home run of the season in the sixth. Villanueva has a hit in 10 of his last 12 games. Odubel Herrera also picked up a hit, extending his on base streak to 25 games.
The Pelicans return home Monday at 7:05 against the Lynchburg Hillcats.
