Wilmington, DE - Gorkys Hernandez's two-out RBI single off reliever Gilbert De La Vara in the top of the eighth inning broke a tie and sent the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (3-1) to a 5-4 victory over the Wilmington Blue Rocks (1-3) on Monday night at Frawley Stadium.

Beginning his second full-inning of work, De La Vara (0-2) allowed a leadoff single to Willie Cabrera to start the eighth. Following a Jon Mark Owings sac bunt and a strikeout of Paul Bennett, Hernandez stung a high delivery from the southpaw into center field, scoring Cabrera and putting the Pelicans in front.

Wilmington was unable to produce the equalizer over their next two ups, as left-handed Pelicans reliever Kevin Gunderson allowed just a hit and a walk in two scoreless frames to notch save No. 1 of the season.

The win went to reliever Chris Vines (1-0), who mowed through 3.2 innings of one-hit ball with five strikeouts. His presence quieted a Wilmington offense that produced four runs on four hits off starter Ryne Reynoso through the first 3.1 frames.

After the Pelicans scratched across a pair of runs against Wilmington starter Jason Godin (pictured) in the top of the second, the Rocks offense immediately fired back in the bottom half. Josh Johnson's RBI single was followed up by a two-run double off the bat of catcher Matt Morizio, giving the Blue Rocks their first lead at 3-2.

It was the first of two run-producing two-baggers for Morizio, who struck again in the fourth. With one out, the Waltham, MA native plated Brett Bigler with a grounder past first baseman Ernesto Mejia to knot the game at 4-4.

The loss prevented the Rocks from earning a split of the four-game set with their Southern Division foes.

Wilmington will now hit the road for the first time this season, as the Blue Rocks visit the Salem Avalanche for the first of three at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday night. Right-hander Mario Santiago will throw for the Rocks. He'll be opposed by righty Corey Bass. First pitch is slated for 7:07 p.m.

GAME NOTES
The stolen base watch continues, as the Blue Rocks added two more swipes to their Carolina League-leading total. Brett Bigler’s first steal of the year plus Joe Dickerson’s third gives Wilmington 10 stolen bases for the season through four just games.

Jason Godin, who split time between Wilmington and Low-A Burlington a season ago, struggled through his initial start of 2008. The Anchorage, AK native went just 3.2 innings, allowing four runs on six hits while walking four.

The Blue Rocks turned a trio of double plays on the contest, including a pair of slick 5-4-3 conversions initiated by third baseman Josh Johnson.

Wilmington batters combined to strikeout 13 times in Monday’s game. The Blue Rocks have fanned a league-worst 48 times through four contests.