SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Game Notes: Kannapolis Intimidators vs. Rome Braves (April 23, 2013)

Published on April 23, 2013 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS INTIMIDATORS (9-9) vs. ROME BRAVES (8-9)

Arby's Two-for-Tuesday + Senior Night

Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 7:05 p.m.

CMC-NorthEast Stadium in Kannapolis, N.C.

Games #19 (9-9) - Home Game #8 (2-5)

RHP Jake Cose (2-1, 4.20) vs. RHP Williams Perez (2-1, 4.11)

Today's Preview: The Intimidators (A, White Sox) host their first series against Rome (A, Atlanta Braves) in a three-game series at CMC-NorthEast Stadium. Kannapolis is hovering at .500 on the season, having lost five of its last seven games. The Intimidators are 2.0 games out of first place but rank fifth in the SAL Northern Division. Rome is tied for fourth in the Southern Division, 3.0 games out of first place.

Series History: Kannapolis dropped seven of 13 games against Rome last season. The Intimidators have never won a season-series against the Braves, finishing at .500 four of the 10 seasons since the Braves joined the SAL (2007-09, '11). The Braves lead the all-time series 48-33dating back to 2003, Rome's first season in the SAL.

Intimidating Starters: J ake Cose, 22, makes his fourth start of the season and third at home. He is coming off a loss to Delmarva on April 17 in which he gave up seven runs (six earned) over 4 1/3 innings. Prior to that outing, he allowed just one earned run over 10.2 innings. The White Sox picked Cose in the 27th round of the June 2011 draft out of San Joaquin Delta College. After struggling in his professional debut with Bristol in 2011, he bounced back in 2012 to go 3-6 with a 4.38 ERA in 12 starts before earning a promotion to Kannapolis late in the season.

Rome's Righty: Williams Perez, 22, makes his fourth start of the season and 30th of his career. The Venezuela native is coming off his lone loss of the year, giving up just two runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings at Charleston, his longest start of the season. Both his wins came at home against Savannah. Atlanta signed Perez as an undrafted free agent in 2010, and he made his professional debut that year for the GCL Braves. In 2012 with Danville, he went 4-3 with a 4.15 ERA in 13 games (nine starts).

Coats Connects: Outfielder Jason Coats went 5-7 in Sunday's doubleheader, including going 3-3 in Game 1 at Augusta. He has hit safely in 10 straight games since April 12, including seven multi-hit games, batting .514 (19-37) with five doubles and five RBI in that span. It's tied for the fifth-longest hitting streak in the SAL this season. He has also reached base in all 11 away games this season. Coats has doubled in his last four games, including two (2-4) in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader. His .371 average (26-70) ranks ninth in the SAL, and he is tied for third in the league in hits.

Adam is Aboard: Centerfielder Adam Heisler went 2-5 over Sunday's doubleheader to reach base safely in his last 17 games, tying for the second-longest streak of the 2013 season (Matt Duffy, AUG, 18, since April 5). He has hit safely in a season-best six straight games and is batting .311 (19-61) over his last 17 games and has drawn 12 walks in that time as well.

Micah on the Move: Leadoff man Micah Johnson swiped second base a week ago against the Shorebirds giving himself a league-leading 12 stolen bases on the season. He is still one ahead of Jesus Galindo (AUG) and Terrance Gore (LEX). He ranks fifth in the SAL with 15 runs scored.

Myles Ahead: Starter Myles Jaye tossed seven scoreless innings Saturday, his second straight scoreless outing. He left in line for a win but took no decision. Jaye lowered his ERA to 0.72, fourth-best in the SAL and 19th-best in all of MiLB. He leads the league with 25.0 innings pitched and is tied for first with three wins. He also leads the league with 96 total batters faced and is tied for first with 83 at-bats against. Jaye last allowed an earned run Opening Day (April 4), a streak of 20 straight innings without an earned run. He is the only pitcher in all of Minor League Baseball with a sub-1.00 ERA and 25.0 innings pitched. Only John Gast of Memphis (AAA, STL) and Mississippi's Alex Wood (AA, ATL) also have sub-1.00 ERAs and at least 20.0 innings of work.

Brennan Ballin': Starter Brandon Brennan tossed 5.0 frames in the second game of Sunday's twin bill at Augusta, giving him 22.1 innings pitched this season, third-most in the SAL this season.

Worst if not first: Kannapolis is 9-2 (.818) this season when scoring the game's first run - tied with Hagerstown for the best record in the SAL - but is just 0-7 when the opponent scores first.

Johnson's Jolt: Infielder Michael Johnson came through with three RBI in Sunday's second game, equaling his career high, which he has now accomplished four times. He knocked a two-run double and drew a bases-loaded walk, going 1-3 in the second half of the twin bill. His last 3-RBI game came Sept. 6, 2012, with Great Falls against Helena in the final game of the Pioneer League season.

Alive After Five or a Dive: When leading after five innings, the Intimidators are 8-0 this season. When Kannapolis trails after five innings, the team is 0-8. When tied after five, the team is 1-1.

Olacio Improving: Depsite taking a loss in Thursday's game at Augusta, Jefferson Olacio enjoyed his first quality start of the season and third of his career, giving up three runs over 6.0 innings. In 2012 with Advanced Rookie Bristol, Olacio twice logged quality starts, Olacio tossed 6.0 scoreless innings in a win against Johnson City (July 1), and he gave up one run over 6.0 innings in a loss at Kingsport (July 26). After working just 2/3 of an inning in his first start of 2013, he lasted 3 1/3 in his second outing before this quality start at Augusta. His three losses are tied for the most in the SAL.

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 23, 2013


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