Crawdads Utilize Error in 4-3 Win
July 1, 2016 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory, NC - A sloppy start to the ballgame proved to be a winning ingredient for the Hickory Crawdads Friday night, as the 'Dads took advantage of a crucial error by Kannapolis in the 3rd inning to score the decisive runs in a 4-3 win over the Intimidators at L.P. Frans Stadium.
The Crawdads entered the bottom of the 3rd trailing the Intimidators 2-1 before an RBI groundout by Eduard Pinto plated Eric Jenkins to tie the score at 2-2. That appeared to be how the inning would end as well but Kannapolis third baseman Cody Daily let Yeyson Yrizarri's ground ball to go through his legs, which allowed the 2 decisive unearned runs to score. Hickory reliever Joe Palumbo carried the load from there with 4 shutout frames to finish off the Hickory victory.
Both teams began the night with a sluggish start, including starting pitchers Dillon Tate and Zach Thompson. Tate immediately had his back against the wall when he allowed a leadoff single to Tyler Sullivan before walking both Johan Cruz and K.J. Woods to load the bases with nobody out. Tate was able to minimize the damage however when he traded a run for two outs on a 6-4-3 double play before he induced a groundout from Landon Lassiter to get out of the frame down 1-0.
The 'Dads responded with some help form Thompson in the bottom of the inning, when Jenkins and Josh Altmann both walked prior Tyler Sanchez getting hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. After a fielder's choice groundout by Pinto failed to plate a run, Thompson threw a wild pitch that brought Atlmann in for a 1-1 tie.
Kannapolis retook the advantage in the top of the 3rd, when Seby Zavala delivered a 2-out, RBI single to center off of Pedro Payano to put the visiting squad on top 2-1. Hickory responded with the biggest inning of the night in the home half however, as Jenkins walked, Frandy De La Rosa singled to left, and Altmann reach on an infield base knock to load the bases with nobody out. Pinto tied the score with an RBI groundout for the second out of the frame, before Yrizarri hit what should have been an inning ending groundball to third. The ball kicked through Daily's legs however, with the error allowing both De La Rosa and Altmann to score for a 4-2 Crawdads lead.
The Intimidators cut their deficit in half with a run in the 5th on a 2-out, RBI single to left off the bat of Antonio Rodriguez to make the score 4-3. Kannapolis then appeared to be on the verge of tying the score again in the 7th when Lassiter roped a double down the right field line that send Woods speeding around the bases from first. Woods was cut down at the plate however on a great relay from Sherman Lacrus in right to De La Rosa and finally to Sanchez at the plate to preserve the 'Dads one-run lead.
Palumbo would shut down the game from there with a scoreless 8th and a perfect 9th for the final 4-3 Crawdads win.
Payano (3-3) earned the win for the 'Dads after allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, 4 walks, and 4 strikeouts in a rare relief appearance for the All-Star starter. Thompson (5-3) took the loss for the Intimidators with 4 runs given up, 2 earned, on 2 hits, 3 walks, and 3 Ks over his 3 innings of work. Palumbo (6) recorded the save after turning in the best pitching performance on the night with no runs allowed on 4 hits and 6 strikeouts over 4 IP.
Altmann finished the night 1-3 with a walk and 2 runs scored, Jenkins went 0-2 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored as well, and Lacrus ended the game 2-3 with a stolen base. Sanchez also had a good night with a double and a hit-by-pitch.
The Crawdads (4-5/42-37) will try to make it three straight wins over the Intimidators (4-5/28-51) Saturday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 pm.
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South Atlantic League Stories from July 1, 2016
- Bullpen Brilliant But Intimidators Fall Again - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- RiverDogs Blast Augusta, 10-0, with Eight Run Outburst - Charleston RiverDogs
- Crawdads Utilize Error in 4-3 Win - Hickory Crawdads
- Hagerstown Stuns Delmarva on Walk-Off Wild Pitch - Delmarva Shorebirds
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- Johnson, Bullpen Stifle Drive in Shutout Win - Asheville Tourists
- Rome Wins 3-1 Behind Sanchez - Lexington Legends
- RECAP - Four-Run Sixth Sinks BlueClaws 8-4 on Friday Night - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- GAME RECAP: KAN 3, HIC 4: Bullpen Brilliant But Intimidators Fall Again - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- WV Power lose to Fireflies - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Columbia Shuts out West Virginia - Columbia Fireflies
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