Game Notes: Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox) vs. Hickory Crawdads (Rangers) - May 20, 2014

Published on May 20, 2014 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release

KANNAPOLIS INTIMIDATORS vs. HICKORY CRAWDADS

21-22 (Chicago White Sox) 20-23 (Texas Rangers)

Tuesday, May 20, 2014 - 7:05 p.m.

CMC-NorthEast Stadium - Kannapolis, N.C.

Game #44

RH Tyler Barnette (2-1, 2.64) vs. RH Kelvin Vasquez (1-1, 3.82)

Today's Preview: The Intimidators (A, White Sox) are playing for a series split in the finale of this 7-game home stand. Today Hickory native Tyler Barnette takes the mound against his hometown team when the Intimidators starter makes his fourth start of the season. Barnette, who pitched collegiately at nearby UNC Charlotte, is 2-1 with a 2.64 ERA in nine games (three starts) for Kannapolis. He and the Intimidators are looking to bounce back after a 10-6 loss to the Crawdads (A, Rangers) on Monday. The Intimidators now hold a slight edge, 7-6, in the season series against their in-state rival.

Promotions Preview: It's Two-for-Tuesday presented by Arby's featuring 2-for-1 tickets with any Arby's proof of purchase. Fans can also enjoy special 2-for-1 deals throughout the ballpark during the game. It's also Senior Club Night featuring Bingo at the Ballpark presented by Harris Teeter.

Intimidating Starter: Tyler Barnette, 21, makes his fourth start and third appearance against Hickory. The reliever-turned-starter is 2-1 with a 4.80 ERA (8 ER/15 IP) in three starts compared to 0-0 with 0.57 ERA (1 ER/15.2 IP) out of the bullpen. Barnette is coming off back-to-back wins at Lakewood (May 8) and against Delmarva (May 14), including a career-high seven strikeouts in his first quality start of the season in his last outing. The former Charlotte 49ers standout made his professional debut last season with Advanced Rookie Bristol, going 1-4 with a 5.73 ERA in 13 games (six starts) in 2013, including going 0-3 with a 6.26 ERA as a starter. The White Sox selected Barnette in the 14th round of the June 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of nearby UNC Charlotte where he earned Atlantic 10 Freshman of the Year in 2011. The right-hander grew up in nearby Hickory, attending Hickory (N.C.) High School.

Hickory's Hurler: Kelvin Vasquez, 21, makes his fifth start of the season and third appearance against Kannapolis. Like Barnette, Vasquez started the season in the bullpen, and he has gone 1-1 with a 3.74 ERA (9 ER/21.2 IP) in four starts. Against Kannapolis, Vasquez is 1-0 with a 1.86 ERA (2 ER/9.2 IP) in two games (one start), and the Intimidators are batting .200 (7-35) against him. He worked 6.0 scoreless innings against Kannapolis on May 2, and in his last outing on May 14 at Charleston, he struck out a season-high eight. The Rangers signed Vasquez as a non-drafted free agent in June 2011 and spent the first two seasons of his career with the DSL Rangers before making his U.S. debut in 2013 with Hickory, going 2-2 with a 6.49 ERA in eight games (seven starts) before landing on the DL with a right elbow strain on May 17. Vasquez joined Short-A Spokane on a rehab assignment, and spent the rest of the season with them, leading the Northwest League in ERA (2.13) and ranking second in strikeouts (72).

About Last Night: Hickory scored five runs in the first inning and used three home runs to build an 8-0 lead on their way to a 10-6 win over Kannapolis on Monday. Kevin Torres blasted a 3-run home run in the first inning as five of the first six Crawdads batters hit safely and scored. Joe Jackson added a 2-run shot in the second, and Ryan Cordell led off the third with a solo shot. Akeem Bostick earned the win for the Crawdads, while Jake Sanchez took the loss. The Intimidators mounted a comeback in the sixth and seventh innings, scoring five runs over those two frames - four of those runs reached base thanks to walks issued by the Hickory bullpen. Kannapolis brought the tying run to the plate in the seventh but failed to ever put him on base.

Three & Out: Kannapolis starting pitcher Jake Sanchez gave up three home runs on Monday night, the first time an Intimidators pitcher has allowed three long balls since May 10, 2009, when Dexter Carter gave up three long balls at Lake County.

Can't Touch This: Despite a rough first three frames, Jake Sanchez lasted 5.0 innings on Monday and struck out six to bring his season strikeout total to 50, which is tied for first in the SAL. Additionally, he still ranks tied for 18th in the league with a 2.97 ERA (13 ER/39.1 IP) in 11 games (five starts).

Frequently Fanned: Intimidators pitchers combined to strike out 12 batters on Monday night, the 10th time this season Kannapolis has recorded double-digit strikeouts. After Jake Sanchez fanned six over the first 4.0 innings, Alex Powers whiffed a pair, and David Putman struck out four in relief.

Impressive Ancestry: Intimidators manager Pete Rose Jr., the son of baseball's all-time hits leader, is not the only one in Kannapolis with baseball in his bloodlines. Hickory catcher Joe Jackson is the great-great-great nephew of "Shoeless" Joe Jackson. The Rangers drafted Jackson in the fifth round of the June 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of The Citadel.

C'mon And Take A Free Ride: The Intimidators drew six walks over the final four innings on Monday, including four in the seventh. On Sunday, Kannapolis matched its season-high by drawing nine walks on Sunday, last accomplished April 13 at Greenville.

Broadcast: Today's game will be broadcast live on IntimidatorsBaseball.com beginning at 6:50 p.m. Josh Feldman will broadcast all 70 home games and select road games in 2014.