The Pelicans were a base hit away from clinching a playoff spot in their first of four attempts Thursday night, but lost 8-7 to the Captains, stranding runners at second and third in the bottom of the ninth. Stranded runners were the story of the night for Pensacola, who left 13 on base all night. With Pelicans’ starter Dane DeValk battling the Captains’ Richard Salazar, the Captains scored initially in the top of the first and would never allow the Pelicans to lead.

Brian Sabatella led off the game with a single, and moved to second on an errant pickoff throw by Dane DeValk. With one out Chris Garcia doubled to drive in Sabatella, and Garcia scored when Andres Rodriguez doubled as well. 2-0 Shreveport-Bossier.

The Pelicans rallied back in the bottom of the fourth. Marshall McDougall led off with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch, and advanced to third when Antoin Gray singled. Chase Burch drove in McDougall with a base knock, and Gray moved to second. After a Marcos Rodriguez base hit, Gray moved to third, and Gray scored when Dallas Christison hit a sacrifice fly to right field. Tie ballgame.

The Captains scored two more in the top of the sixth inning. With one out Andres Rodriguez hit another double, scoring when Jorge Alvarez singled. Jose Torres hit safely to move Alvarez to third, and Alvarez would come home on a Luis Guance bunt single.

The Captains added four more runs in the top of the seventh, scoring Sabatella, Garcia, Rodriguez, and Alvarez on the third double for Rodriguez, the third base hit for Alvarez, and a two RBI single by Jose Torres.

The Pelicans were trailing by six when they found Kevin Reynolds on first base after a single in the bottom of the seventh inning. He moved to third on McDougall’s third single of the night, and scored on a fly ball to centerfield by Gray.

Pensacola added another run in the eighth with another sacrifice fly. Rodriguez singled, moved to third on a Lou Palmisano double, and scored when Leandro flied out to left. In the meantime however, the Pelicans stranded a runner in scoring position in the second inning, two more in the fourth, and left the bases loaded in the sixth. After Rodriguez scored in the bottom of the eighth, the Pelicans left the bases loaded again.

Pensacola nearly absolved their previous shortcomings with a miraculous ninth inning. Antoin Gray led off with a double, making him 3-3 for on the night. Yet the Captains would retire the next two Pelicans without Gray leaving second base. Dallas Christison drove Gray in to score with a base hit, and Palmisano thanked him with a double to bring Christison in. After a Jason Diaz walk, Leandro hit a double to plate Palmisano, and the Pelicans had Diaz at third as the tying run, and Leandro at second representing the win and a playoff berth. Kevin Reynolds nearly won the game, but lifted a bloop just within reach of the second baseman who caught the ball and ended the game.

Dane DeValk went 5.1 innings and took the loss, allowing four earned runs on eight hits, striking out two. Tyler Wilson pitched for three outs, yielding four earned runs on four hits and a walk. Ulysses Roque pitched the final 2.2 innings, giving up just two hits and striking out three.

The Pelicans will look to clinch on Friday, when they send LHP Randy Beam to the hill against a probable LHP Ronald Lowe. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at Pelican Park.