SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Bullpen Dominates in Big Win

Published on June 6, 2017 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


BLUECLAWS, N.J. - Five relievers combined for 10.0 innings to pitch the Intimidators past the BlueClaws, 2-1 in 16 innings, on Tuesday at FirstEnergy Park. Kannapolis (30-25) won its longest game of the season by innings thanks to Micker Adolfo's 16th-inning RBI-double that scored Jameson Fisher for the go-ahead run.

Relievers Jake Elliott and Kevin Escorcia each tossed 3.0 scoreless innings to move the game from the eighth inning through the 13th. Elliott was perfect, retiring all nine batters he faced and striking out four. Escorcia fanned five batters to keep Lakewood quiet as the game continued. Lane Hobbs, fresh off his first career appearance with Class A-Advanced Winston-Salem, spun a scoreless 14th and 15th inning to earn the win (3-0), and Mike Morrison tossed a perfect bottom of the 16th for the save (9).

The teams traded zeros across the scoreboard until the seventh inning. With runners in scoring position, Intimidators reliever Danny Dopico struck out Arquimedez Gamboa on a wild pitch that allowed Enmanuel Garcia to score from third for a 1-0 lead.

Kannapolis evened the game in the next half-inning when Jameson Fisher cashed Seby Zavala with a base hit to right field in the top of the eighth.

Intimidators starting pitcher Bernardo Flores opened with 6.0 scoreless innings, taking no decision. He struck out seven and walked none, limiting the BlueClaws to five hits. After Danny Dopico allowed a run in the seventh, Elliott, Escorcia, Hobbs, and Morrison made the Lakewood didn't threaten again.

In the top of the 16th inning, Fisher led off with a walk and moved to second base on a Courtney Hawkins sacrifice bunt. Adolfo followed with a line drive smash to left field - his team-leading 16th double of the season - to plate Fisher for the first run since the eighth inning.

Lakewood starting pitcher Ranger Suarez fanned nine over 7.0 scoreless innings, limiting Kannapolis to two hits and a walk while taking no decision. Trevor Bettencourt allowed a run in the eighth but bounced back with a scoreless ninth.

Kannapolis continues this 3-game series against Lakewood on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. as RHP Blake Hickman (0-0, 1.50 ERA) makes his second professional start for the Intimidators against RHP Adonis Medina (1-5, 3.42 ERA) for the BlueClaws. The Intimidators return to Kannapolis for a 6-day home stand June 13-18 against the Hagerstown Suns and West Virginia Power.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 6, 2017


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