Lincoln Beats The Pelicans For Championship

September 14, 2009

The Pelicans will have to settle for second best, as the Lincoln Saltdogs claimed the game and the championship with a 2-1 win on Sunday night in Pensacola. Despite outhitting the Saltdogs 11-8, Pensacola left 10 runners on base in the fifth game of the best-of-five American Association Championship Series.

pelssun.jpgThe Saltdogs put up a run in the very first inning. Josh Burrus walked to start the game and moved to second on an Albenis Machado sacrifice bunt. Argelis Nunez knocked in Burrus with a base hit and Lincoln led 1-0.

Another Lincoln run scored in the top of the fifth inning, as Phil Hawke led off with a double and moved to third before Shawn McGill drove him in with a sacrifice fly to rightfield.

Pensacola had the makings of a huge bottom of the fifth. Marcos Rodriguez singled, Chase Burch followed with a base hit, and Dallas Christison doubled to bring Rodriguez home. Palmisano walked to load the bases, but the Pelicans would strand the three runners, and the 2-1 Lincoln lead would go final.

Kieran Mattison took the loss after tossing six innings, yielding both of Lincoln’s runs on six hits and two walks. Mattison struck out five Saltdogs in the effort. Francisco Butto pitched innings seven and eight while walking two and striking out one, giving up a hit. Ron Hill tossed a scoreless ninth allowing one hit.

Marshall McDougall led all Pelicans with a 3-4 evening, and Marcos Rodriguez and Lou Palmisano went 2-4, with Rodriguez knocking a double. Dallas Christison had the only Pelicans’ RBI.

This was the first appearance in the American Association playoffs for the Pelicans, and Talmadge Nunnari’s first stint as field manager.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Sports