WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Pelicans responded quickly with a game two win to battle back after suffering a heartbreaking loss in game one of their second straight doubleheader against the Potomac Nationals.

In game one the Pelicans got on the board first once again getting a run on a sacrifice fly by Donell Linares which scored C.J. Lee who drew a one-out walk.  The Pelicans opened their lead with four more runs in the top of the second off Nationals starter Tom Milone.  Milone walked four, one intentionally, and allowed two hits in the inning which led to his exit.  Two of the walks drove home runs and another pair of runs scored on a throwing error by the first baseman Chris Marrero.

The Pelicans held the lead until the last of the seventh when the Nationals scored four times to win the game in walk-off fashion 6-5.  Three of the runs were charged to Jaye Chapman with the winning run getting charged to Eric Barrett (1-2) as he got saddled with the loss.  Martin Beno (1-2) got credit for the win as he pitched the final two scoreless innings for the Nationals.

Game two went much better for the Pelicans though the P-Nats struck first with a run in the bottom of the second off Pelicans starter Cole Rohrbough.  Brian Peacock began the inning with a double then scored on a base hit by Tim Pahuta to put the P-Nats up 1-0.

A home run by Donell Linares tied the game in the top of the fourth.  Myrtle Beach exploded for four runs in the top of the fifth inning.  Randy Gress started the inning with a base hit, he scored on consecutive wild pitches that advanced him to third then home.  Lee walked and was followed by a Freddie Freeman single, with both scoring on a base hit by Cody Johnson.  He came around to score on Michael Fisher’s only hit of the game.  That was all the Pelicans would need as they went on to pick up the 5-1 win.

Rohrbough (3-3) pitched the first five and two-thirds innings allowing just one run on seven hits to earn the win.  Michael Mehlich (2) picked up the save as he recorded the final four outs for the Birds allowing just one walk.  Nationals starter Terrence Engles (0-1) took the loss giving up four runs on seven hits walking three and striking out seven.

The two teams ended up splitting the four games over the weekend.  The Pelicans are off Monday before opening a three game series at home against the Kinston Indians beginning at 7:05.