'Dads overpowered in loss
August 15, 2008 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
After an impressive win to end its last series, Hickory fell by eight runs in its opener against Kannapolis on Friday. Things turned sour for the Crawdads (16-38, 46-78) from the very beginning, when starting pitcher Michael Felix walked the first six batters of the game, leading to two runs and his leaving with the bases loaded and none retired.
Then on reliever Charles Benoit's second pitch after replacing Felix, catcher Matt Inouye slugged a grand slam to put the Intimidators (27-24, 58-63) ahead comfortably.
Hickory could never muster a comeback, scoring once in the bottom of the second on Tom Hagan's second solo home run in two nights and again in the third courtesy of an Albert Laboy RBI single.
Kannapolis would pour on insurance with single runs coming in the third, fourth, eighth and ninth innings in the following manner: an Inouye solo home run; a Mark Fleisher RBI double; an Eduardo Escobar RBI single and Christian Marrero's sacrifice fly.
The third and final run of the night for the Crawdads came by way of a Keanon Simon RBI double in the ninth.
It was the fourth time in the last nine games Hickory allowed an opponent to reach double-digit runs and the Crawdads have gone without back-to-back home runs since June 13-14.
Felix dropped to 4-6 with the loss, allowing six runs on six walks in no outs one start after allowing six runs on just one out against West Virginia on August 10.
Kannapolis' Miguel Socolovich improved to 5-6 with the victory, pitching six innings and allowing two runs on seven hits.
Simon continued his impressive homestand with two more hits, joining Hagan and Jordy Mercer as the three Crawdads with two hits on the night.
The teams will meet again Saturday night for game two of the series at 7. Hickory sends RHP Bryan Morris (0-1, 2.79 ERA) to the mound, taking on Kannapolis RHP Jason Rice (7-7, 4.83 ERA).
The Crawdads will be giving away free beach towels to fans while supplies last.
For tickets and more information, call the Crawdads at (828) 322-3000.
GAME NOTES: Attendance was 3,867. Game time was 2:46. ...Keanon Simon is now 12-24 with five RBIs in five games of the homestand. ...After allowing just one grand slam all season, the Crawdads have now allowed three in three nights. ...Matt Inouye had hit just three home runs in the 48 games prior to his two-homer outburst Friday. ...Chicago White Sox No. 8 overall pick Gordon Beckham made his professional debut at shortstop, going 3-4 with a double and two runs scored. ...Hickory's Adam Simon pitched three scoreless innings of middle relief, his longest shutout performance of the year. ...An Elvis impersonator crooned the Star-Spangled Banner before the game and also performed "Fools Rush In" after the game. ...The Crawdads honored John Henry Moss on Friday, celebrating the South Atlantic League's founder and president emeritus' 50 years of presidency by retiring the No. 50. The originally scheduled celebration at L.P. Frans Stadium was rained out June 27.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 15, 2008
- Suns bow out in 13-inning thriller - Hagerstown Suns
- Captains Tomahawked by Braves 4-1 - Lake County Captains
- BlueClaws strand 12 in 7-5 loss to Charleston - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Drive Can't Hold Off Surging Power, 5-1 - Greenville Drive
- 'Dads overpowered in loss - Hickory Crawdads
- Tourists drop fourth straight - Asheville Tourists
- Monaghan's 3 RBI Leads Birds Past Gnats 6-2 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Rome Over Lake County - Rome Emperors
- 'Power' pitching propels West Virginia to victory - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Bumgarner K's 12 as Jackets Blank Legends - Augusta GreenJackets
- Bumgarner, GreenJackets Shut Out Legends in Game One - Lexington Legends
- Intimidators Jump On Crawdads In 11-3 Victory - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Rome Releases 2009 Schedule - Rome Emperors
- Hickory Crawdads Release 2009 Schedule - Hickory Crawdads
- Paxton Promoted - Columbus Catfish
- GreenJackets Set to Break Franchise Attendance Record - Augusta GreenJackets
- Captains Garage Sale August 21st - Lake County Captains
- Sand Gnats Announce 2009 Schedule - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Asheville Tourists Release 2009 Schedule - Asheville Tourists
- Josh Anderson Statue Night is Aug. 22 - Lexington Legends
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