Flexen Pitches Gnats to 17th Straight Win
Published on August 21, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release
SAVANNAH, Ga. (August 21, 2015) - Savannah's Chris Flexen struck out 10 batters over eight scoreless innings to pitch the Sand Gnats to their 17th straight victory, 5-0, over the Intimidators on Friday at Historic Grayson Stadium. Kannapolis (24-30 Second Half, 59-64) suffered its third shutout loss in its last four games.
Flexen (2-0) matched the most strikeouts by an Intimidators opponents this season, equalling the 10 by Augusta's DJ Snelten on July 7, while giving up four hits and no walks to earn the win. The right-handed hurler came one strikeout shy of his career-high while lowering his South Atlantic League ERA to 0.44 in three games since returning to the circuit following Tommy John surgery last May.
Savannah used a Kannapolis error to take an early lead. With two outs, Savannah's Luis Guillorme stole third base. With no Intimidator covering the bag, catcher Sean O'Connell's throw sailed into the outfield, and Guillorme scored for a 1-0 lead.
The Gnats extended their lead with two runs in the third and chased Kannapolis starting pitcher Zach Thompson from the game on a Michael Katz two-run home run (6) in the fifth. Thompson (3-6) worked 5 and 1/3 innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts while taking the loss.
Zack Erwin worked around a hit and three walks for 2 and 2/3 scoreless relief innings.
The Intimidators continue this four-game series on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. as RHP Kelvis Valerio (1-1, 3.68 ERA) takes the mound for Kannapolis against the Sand Gnats' RHP Josh Prevost (4-4, 3.61 ERA). Kannapolis returns to Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System on Tuesday, August 25, to open a four-game home stand. For ticket and promotional information, call the F&M Bank Box Office at (704) 932-3267 or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 21, 2015
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