The Pelicans vented their frustrations against Shreveport-Bossier in the final game of a three-game series, notching ten runs to the Captains’ two. Aaron Jackson turned in his strongest performance of the year, earning the win in his eight innings of work.
The Pelicans jumped out early, scoring two runs in the top frame. Leandro drew a walk from Drew Coffey and moved to second when Reynolds knocked a base hit. Both men stole a base, and with one out, Chase Burch scored Leandro with a groundout to the shortstop. Kevin Reynolds stole third, but the throw went into left field and Reynolds scored the second run of the game.
The Pels added another run in the top of the second when Palmisano reached on an error by the shortstop, advanced to second on an error by the second baseman, and scored on another error by the shortstop. The Captain committed four errors on the night.
The Pelicans doubled their 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Antoin Gray led off with a single and moved to third on a double by Chase Burch. Marshall McDougall scored both runners with a single, but was out at second when Adam Darby reached on a fielder’s choice. Darby stole second and scored when Palmisano singled.
Aaron Jackson kept the Captains in check for the interim, retiring the first eight batters in order. The Pelicans rewarded their starter with four more runs in the sixth inning. Dallas Christison singled and stole second base, coming home on a Reynold’s base hit. Gray followed with a walk, and Burch acquired a base on balls as well. With the bases loaded, Marshall McDougall was the catalyst for three runs, hitting a double for his third, fourth, and fifth RBI of the night.
Jackson didn’t allow a run until the eighth inning, when Griffin singled and White singled with two outs. Both men advanced a base on a wild pitch, scoring when Chris Garcia hit a single. The eighth inning would be Jackson’s last, finishing the night allowing just two runs on seven hits and a walk, striking out four Captains and hitting Luis Guance with a pitch in the fifth inning.
Tyler Wilson shutdown the Caps in the ninth, striking out Guance to end the game.
With the win, the Pelicans remain in first place in the American Association South Division. Grand Prairie is three games back in second place, and the Captains are four games back in third.
The Pelicans have Thursday off before hosting the El Paso Diablos Friday through Sunday. More information is available on the Pelicans website, www.pensacolapelicans.com.
