SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Forget the Protest, Intimidators Rally for Win

Published on June 3, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


GREENVILLE, S.C. (June 3, 2015) - The Intimidators fought through pouring rain and a controversial call that resulted in the game continuing under protest to beat the Greenville Drive, 5-3, on Wednesday at Fluor Field. Kannapolis (26-27) clinched its fourth straight series victory and finished its road trip by winning five of seven games away from home.

With the game tied 3-3 in the top of the eighth, Eddy Alvarez was ruled out for baserunner interference to open the inning. Intimidators manager Tommy Thompson objected, and the game continued under protest. Christian Stringer followed the disputed Alvarez at-bat with a one-out triple down the right-field line. Louie Lechich brought him home for the tie-breaking run, 4-3, with an RBI-groundout to second base.

In the ninth, Kannapolis added a run when Ryan Leonards led off the frame with a double, moved to second base on a Mason Robbins bunt-hit, and scored on a double-play ball for a 5-3 lead.

David Trexler spun perfect eighth and ninth innings to put the Drive away and secure the save (4). Brad Salgado (1-3) earned the win. Starter Yelmison Peralta spun 5.0 strong innings, giving up just one unearned run on four hits, in a no decision. The right-handed pitcher, coming off of his first career scoreless start last Thursday in Hagerstown, struck out two and walked one.

Greenville (31-22) reliever Michael Gunn (0-1) took the loss, giving up two runs on four hits over 3.0 innings of work. Starter Reed Reilly worked 6.0 innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits with four strikeouts and a walk.

In the top of the first, Alvarez turned a leadoff walk into an early 1-0 lead as Lechich dropped a bloop single into centerfield to bring in the Kannapolis shortstop. The Intimidators capitalized on a pair of Drive errors in the second inning to take a 2-0 lead.

With Kannapolis up 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh, the Intimidators committed a pair of one-out errors to extended the inning. After Salgado walked a batter to load the bases, Jordan Procyshen grounded to shortstop. Alvarez flipped to Stringer who turned a would-be inning-ending double-play, but Procyshen beat the throw to first, and two runs scored on the fielder's choice, including Mauricio Dubon from second base, sliding under the tag from Brett Austin on a throw from first baseman John Ziznewski.

Kannapolis committed four errors in the game, resulting in three unearned runs for Greenville, accounting for all of the opposition's offense.

Leonards finished the game 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored, extending on-base streak to 14 games, the longest streak by an Intimidator this season. Robbins ended the night 2-for-4, and Lechich drove in a pair on a 1-for-4 night.

Kannapolis had not won four consecutive series since August of 2013.

The Intimidators return home on Thursday for seven games over the next eight days starting with a four-game series against Delmarva at Intimidators Stadium presented by Carolinas HealthCare System. Kannapolis will send RHP Luis Martinez (1-5, 7.16 ERA) to the mound against Delmarva's LHP John Means (4-2, 4.36 ERA). Thursday's game is 60s Night and features a free carwash giveaway to the first 300 fans presented by SpeedMax Car Wash. Thursday is also Thirsty Thursday with discounted drinks all game long and post-game Launch-A-Ball presented by Dick's Sporting Goods. For tickets and promotional information, call the F&M Bank Box Office at (704) 932-3267 or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 3, 2015


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