SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Call, Cruz Homer as Intimidators Top Claws

Published on July 22, 2016 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


LAKEWOOD, N.J. - Alex Call and Johan Cruz each hit solo home runs as the Intimidators broke out of an offensive funk to beat the BlueClaws, 7-5, on Friday at FirstEnergy Park. Kannapolis (14-13 Second Half, 38-59) snapped its 4-game losing streak while avoiding a series sweep in Lakewood.

With the game tied 5-5 going into the fifth inning, the Intimidators pulled away from the BlueClaws for good. Cruz led off with a base hit, and two batters later, Danny Mendick doubled to cash Cruz from first for a 6-5 lead. Grant Massey added an RBI-single, his third RBI in as many games against Lakewood this week, to plate Mendick for a 7-5 lead.

Dylan Barrow (1-1) took over on the mound in the third inning and limited the BlueClaws to a run on five hits over 2 and 1/3 innings, which matched his career-long outing to earn the win. Barrow tied his career-high with four strikeouts while walking one. Alex Katz took over with a runner on first and one out in the fifth. He worked himself into a bases-loaded jam before recording the final two outs of the inning, stranding three men on base to preserve the 7-5 lead.

Katz spun 2 and 2/3 scoreless frames, striking out three and walking one while working around two hits before turning the ball over to Ben Wright, who spun a scoreless eighth and ninth for the save (1).

Call, the White Sox third round pick from this June's draft, led off the game with a home run (1) - his fourth professionally - for a quick 1-0 lead. Call finished 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored, upping his average to .400 (8-20) since joining the Intimidators. The BlueClaws responded by sending all nine batters to the plate in a 4-run home half of the first inning, highlighted by Jose Pujols' 3-run home run, his South Atlantic League-leading 18th of the season.

Trailing 4-1, Kannapolis rallied in the top of the second inning. Danny Mendick reached on an error to open the inning then scored from first on an Antonio Rodriguez triple. After Grant Massey walked, BlueClaws pitcher Edgar Garcia attempted to pick Massey off first base but threw wide of the bag, allowing Rodriguez to score on an error. Call singled with two outs to score Massey to tie the game, 4-4.

Cruz led off the top of the third with a solo home run to reclaim the lead, but Lakewood responded in the home half of the inning as Pujols led off with a triple and scored on a Wilson Garcia base hit to tie the game, 5-5.

Lakewood reliever Jacob Waguespack (4-2) took the loss, allowing two runs on four hits over 2.0 innings.

The Intimidators open a 4-game series in Delmarva on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. as Kannapolis sends RHP Jimmy Lambert (0-1, 1.50 ERA) to the mound against the Shorebirds' LHP Brian Gonzalez (6-6, 2.63 ERA). The Intimidators return to Kannapolis on Thursday, July 28, to open a 7-day home stand against the Grasshoppers and Charleston RiverDogs. The upcoming home stand features the Intimidators final craft beer sampling on Friday, July 29, presented by Cabarrus Brewing Company. On Saturday, July 30, fans can stick around for post-game fireworks presented by SignArt. For tickets and promotional information, call the F&M Bank Box Office or 704-932-3267 or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com .

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 22, 2016


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