D'OH! Homers Cost Crawdads, 14-6
Published on August 17, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory matched a season-high and fell one shy of the franchise mark for most home runs allowed in a game with five Sunday, falling 14-6 to Kannapolis. Tied 1-1 after the first inning, the Crawdads (16-40, 46-80) saw the Intimidators (29-24, 60-63) reel off five home runs across the next five frames: Brent Morel's solo shot in the second, Matt Inouye's two-run blast and Mark Fleisher's three-run big fly in the fourth, rookie Gordon Beckham's first pro long ball on a solo shot in the fifth and Jim Gallagher's solo capper in the sixth.
The gopher balls allowed by Hickory matched the five they surrendered May 24 at Rome and came one away from the all-time high six last season's Crawdads allowed to West Virginia on June 12, 2007.
Hickory has now allowed nine home runs in the three games of the Kannapolis series and 17 in the seven games of the current homestand. The Crawdads, league leaders in round-trippers allowed with 135, have served up home runs in 14 of their last 15 games -- 11 times allowing multiple homers.
While the Intimidators would jump out 13-1 before the Crawdads put some late runs on the board, Hickory's Keanon Simon excelled at the plate with a 4-5 night, including two doubles, two runs scored and an RBI.
He became the sixth Crawdads this year to knock four hits in a game, one shy of the franchise-high five hits in one game. Simon is now 16-33 (.485 AVG) with nine runs, six RBIs and five doubles through the first seven games of the homestand.
Rookie Matt Hague also contributed two RBIs and a run, going 1-4 with a two-run double in the sixth inning.
Hickory starting pitcher Duke Welker lasted two innings for his shortest outing of the year, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits and dropping to 3-12 with the loss.
Kannapolis' Charlie Shirek started and took the win after six innings, also surrendering four runs (three earned) on seven hits. He improved his record to 5-6.
Kannapolis has secured a series win in taking the first three games of the set, but the teams will meet for the final time this season Monday night at 7. With the Intimidators leading the season series, 4-3, the 'Dads look to end 2008 against Kannapolis with an even split.
Hickory sends RHP Rafael De Los Santos (2-9, 6.12 ERA) to the hill against Kannapolis RHP Johnnie Lowe (5-6, 4.32 ERA).
For tickets and more information, call the Crawdads at (828) 322-3000 or visit www.hickorycrawdads.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 17, 2008
- Suns Shut-Out by Catfish - Hagerstown Suns
- Birds Win Fourth Straight, 9-3 over Sand Gnats - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Jackets Route the Legends in Third Straight Win - Augusta GreenJackets
- BlueClaws lose third straight, 9-5, to Charleston - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Villalona Launches Second Grand Slam Against Lexington - Lexington Legends
- D'OH! Homers Cost Crawdads, 14-6 - Hickory Crawdads
- Intimidators Club Season-High Five Home Runs In 14-6 Victory Over Crawdads - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Drive Poised to Welcome Their Millionth Fan on Monday - Greenville Drive
- Power Get Past Drive, 5-2 - Greenville Drive
- Power Win Fourth Straight - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Captains Beat Braves 5-1 - Lake County Captains
- Hoppers Hit Parade Sinks Asheville - Asheville Tourists
- Captains Sink the Braves - Rome Emperors
- Rome Braves make roster change - Rome Emperors
- Former Legend Wins MLB Debut - Lexington Legends
- Captains Take Braves - Rome Emperors
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