SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Four-Run First Inning Is Enough to Rock Rome

Published on July 14, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (July 14, 2011) -- The first four Kannapolis Intimidators batters hit safely and scored in the first inning to build an early lead en route to a 6-1 win over the Rome Braves at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium on Thursday night.

Carlos Sanchez led off the bottom of the first with a bloop single, and Marcus Semien's ground-rule double advanced them both into scoring position. Brady Shoemaker put the Intimidators on the board with a two-run single to center field, and Trayce Thompson connected on his team-leading 15th home run for a 4-0 first inning lead.

Rome's Chris Garcia led off the second inning with home run (10) to left field to put the Braves on the board, but Kannapolis got the run back in the third inning on Juan Silverio's single that cashed Shoemaker for a 5-1 edge.

The Braves threatened with the bases loaded and no outs in the top of the fifth inning, but Dan Black started a 3-2-3 double play, and Dexter Carter induced a Tommy La Stella fly out to end the inning to get Kannapolis out of the jam. In the sixth, Carter struck out Matt Weaver with runners in scoring position to end the inning. Rome left nine batters on base.

Carter (3-4) scattered eight hits over seven innings, allowing one run on Garcia's homer, while striking out four and walking two in his third quality start of the season. Chase Cooney pitched a scoreless eighth inning, his ninth straight scoreless outing. Terance Marin worked the ninth inning, striking out two batters.

In the eighth, Thompson grounded a ball up the middle and hustled head- first into second base beating Tony Mueller's throw from centerfield. Dan Black doubled him home for Thompson's league-leading 62 run scored on Black's 63rd RBI, the second-most driven in this season in the South Atlantic League.

Willie Kempf (0-3) took the loss for Rome, allowing five runs on eight hits with four strikeouts and one walk.

The Intimidators can sweep the Braves with a win on Friday night as RHP Steven Upchurch (2-7, 4.72 ERA) takes the mound for Kannapolis against RHP Ryan Weber (2-0, 2.70 ERA). The Intimidators are giving away the 2011 team card sets on Friday night to the first 1,000 fans, presented by Disabled American Veterans. For ticket information, call the box office at (704) 932-3267 or visit www.IntimidatorsBaseball.com .

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 14, 2011


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