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Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Martinez Matches Career-High 8 Ks in Win

May 4, 2016 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. - Kannapolis overcame a 4-run deficit with seven unanswered runs in a 7-4 win over the Hagerstown Suns on Wednesday night at Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System. The Intimidators (12-14) won their fourth straight game, a season-high, while taking the first game of the series agains the first place Suns.

Luis Martinez matched his career-high with eight strikeouts against no walks over 6.0 innings to earn the win for Kannapolis. The Intimidators starting pitcher worked around four runs (three earned) on eight hits. Martinez (1-3) earned his first win since July 27, 2015, when he tossed a career-best 8.0 shutout innings for Kannapolis in Lakewood. The right-hander's only other 8-strikeout game came July 23, 2014, with the Arizona League White Sox against the Arizona League Dodgers.

Cody Daily and Antonio Rodriguez paced the offense with three hits apiece as Kannapolis pounded out 12 hits on the night. The bullpen duo of Yelmison Peralta and Taylore Cherry combined for 3.0 scoreless innings to close out the game, earning Cherry the save (2).

Hagerstown jumped ahead early with two runs in the first inning as Victor Robles and Max Schrock opened the frame with base hits and both came around to score. The Suns doubled their lead to 4-0 in the top of the fourth when Matt Page scored on a Jackson Reetz grounder, and Rhett Wiseman came home on the play following an error at second base by Dante Flores.

Flores, however, would totally redeem himself with an RBI-single in the 2-run sixth inning in which Kannapolis pulled ahead. The Intimidators first rallied to tie the game, 4-4, with four runs in the home half of the fourth inning. With men on the corners and no outs in the fourth, Daily singled up the middle to cash Seby Zavala, putting the Intimidators on the board. Zach Fish and Tyler Sullivan each added RBI hits, and Cleuluis Rondon chipped in a sac-fly to help even the score.

In the sixth, Rodriguez led off with a base hit against Suns reliever Connor Bach, who then walked the next two batters to load the bases with no outs, ending his night. Sullivan gave Kannapolis the lead, 5-4, with an RBI-groundout to plate Rodriguez, and Flores followed with his run-scoring single. Rondon chipped in an RBI-groundout in the seventh to score Daily for a 7-4 lead.

Bach (0-1) took the loss for the Suns. Hagerstown starter Matthew DeRosier lasted 3 and 2/3 innings, giving up four runs on seven hits in a no decision.

The Intimidators continue this 3-game series against the Suns on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. as LHP Ryan Riga (0-2, 10.71 ERA) starts for Kannapolis against Hagerstown's RHP Andrew Lee (1-0, 2.16 ERA). Gates open on Thursday at 6 p.m. for Thirsty Thursday presented by Buffalo Wild Wings at Exit 54/Afton Ridge Shopping Center. Following Thursday's game, fan can play Launch-A-Ball presented by Dick's Sporting Goods to win various Intimidators prizes. Thursday's game is also 60-cent wings night courtesy of WingStreet. For tickets and promotional information, call the F&M Bank Box Office or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.

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