CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Despite a strong performance from starting pitcher Jacob Kmatz, the Charleston RiverDogs fell to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans 3-1 on Thursday night at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park.
The loss marks Charleston’s sixth consecutive defeat in the season series against Myrtle Beach, dropping their record to 6-6 in the second half.
The Pelicans took an early lead when Owen Ayers hit a two-run homer off Kmatz’s first-pitch fastball in the first inning. The RiverDogs attempted a comeback in the bottom half, but a scoring opportunity was thwarted when Narciso Polanco was tagged out at third base before Nathan Flewelling could score.
Charleston managed to get on the scoreboard in the third inning. Theo Gillen singled, Flewelling walked, and Polanco singled to load the bases. A wild pitch by Myrtle Beach’s Yenrri Rojas allowed Gillen to score, cutting the Pelicans’ lead to 2-1.
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Myrtle Beach responded in the fourth inning. Eli Lovich hit an RBI single to shallow center, extending their lead to 3-1.
Kmatz recovered after the first inning, finishing his outing with a season-high eight strikeouts and stranding a runner on second base in the sixth inning. Jadon Bercovich and Johnathan Russell took over the Charleston bullpen for the final three innings, striking out five and allowing just one hit.
The Myrtle Beach bullpen held strong, allowing only two hits in the last four innings. In the bottom of the ninth, Charleston put pressure on reliever Cole Reynolds. With two walks, the RiverDogs had the go-ahead run at the plate. However, pinch-hitter Larry Martinez struck out swinging to end the game.
The series will continue in Myrtle Beach, with the next game scheduled for Friday night at Pelicans Park.