Late homer dooms K-Tribe

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on July 31, 2007 1:48 PM

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KINSTON -- Quentin Davis smacked a game-winning, ninth-inning home run as Myrtle Beach clipped Kinston 5-4 in a battle of Carolina League Southern Division rivals on Monday evening.

The Pelicans (21-16) pulled within a game of the K-Tribe, which dipped to 21-14 overall in second-half play. The teams continue their three-game series today.

Kinston trailed 3-0 after 4 1/2 innings. John Drennen's one-out double ignited a two-run rally and he scored on Armando Camacaro's double. Camacaro trotted home on Mike Butia's single.

Myrtle Beach moved ahead 4-2 in the eighth, but the K-Tribe -- again -- rallied. Pelicans reliever Kevin Gunderson, who blew the save opportunity, hit Stephen Head with two outs. Matt Whitney followed with a two-run homer, his sixth of the season.

Davis' ninth-inning swat spoiled Kinston's comeback party. Erik Stiller (3-3) tossed three-plus innings of four-hit relief and took the mound loss. Chris Niesel pitched to one Myrtle Beach batter in the ninth.

Kinston starter Kevin Dixon had his eight-game win streak snapped with the no-decision. Dixon yielded eight hits and two earned runs in a five-inning stint.