Kinston closes in on first-half title

Published in Sports on June 11, 2007 1:47 PM

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KINSTON -- Matt Meyer tossed three scoreless innings of one-hit relief as Kinston turned back Myrtle Beach 4-1 at historic Grainger Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The K-Tribe, the reigning Carolina League champions, need four wins in the next seven games to clinch the first-half Southern Division title. They are off today and begin a three-day, four-game home series Tuesday with Lynchburg.

Right-hander Frank Herrmann limited the Pelicans to five hits and one earned run in a six-inning stint. Kinston prevailed for the 11th time in its last 12 outings and won the weekend series with Myrtle Beach 3-1.

Jose Constanza ignited a three-run, first-inning outburst by drawing a lead-off walk. Chris De La Cruz moved Constanza into scoring position with a single and Stephen Head plated Constanza to make it 1-0. Head and De La Cruz scored on Chris Gimenez's one-out double.

In the fourth, De La Cruz singled home Josh Rodriguez. De La Cruz batted 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI, and concluded the series 12-for-18 with five RBI.

Pelican hurler Carlos Sencion (0-1) took the loss in a spot start. He surrendered seven hits and four runs in a three-inning stint.