SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Game Notes: Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox) vs. Rome Braves (Braves) - June 16, 2013

Published on June 16, 2013 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS INTIMIDATORS (26-41) vs. ROME BRAVES (36-32)

KID'S DAY PRESENTED BY DENTISTRY OF THE CAROLINAS | FATHER'S DAY

Sunday, June 16, 2013 - 5:05 p.m.

CMC-NorthEast Stadium - Kannapolis, N.C.

Game #68 (26-41) - Home Game #30 (9-20)

RHP Braulio Ortiz (0-2, 3.41) vs. RHP Lucas Sims (2-2, 3.00)

Today's Preview: The Intimidators (A, White Sox) play for their first series sweep of the season and a fourth straight home win when they wrap up the first half against the Rome Braves (A, Braves) at CMC- NorthEast Stadium. Kannapolis took Game 3 Saturday with a 10-8 win over Rome and now leads the season-series 4-2.

Intimidating Starters: Braulio Ortiz, 21, makes his third start of the season and second at home in today's series finale against Rome. Ortiz is 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA as a starter after opening the season in the bullpen going 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA with three saves in 14 games. The flame-throwing right-hander worked the first 4.0 innings of a no- hitter at Hagerstown on June 5, combining with Adam Lopez and Joe Dvorsky to pitch the gem. In one game against Rome this season, Ortiz gave up two runs on four hits over 2.0 relief innings on April 24.

Rome's Righty: First-round pick Lucas Sims, 19, makes his fifth start of the season and 15 appearance after opening the season working out of the bullpen. He is coming off his first quality start, allowing one run on three hits over 6.0 innings in a no decision at Lexington on June 10. The Braves selected Sims 21st overall in the June 2012 draft, and he entered the season rated by Baseball America as the No. 5 Prospect in Atlanta's organization. Sims has struck out 47 batters over 42 innings and is holding opposing hitters to a .187 average this season.

About Last Night: Micah Johnson paced the offense, finishing a double shy of the cycle, as Kannapolis won its third straight game, topping the Braves, 10-8, Saturday in front of 4,501. Johnson went 3-for-5, driving in a game-high three runs, and Kannapolis erupted for nine runs from the fifth through seventh innings to pull away. Stew Brase recorded the final two outs of the ninth inning, preserving the win and earning his third save in three opportunities. Brase walked the first batter he faced, putting the tying run on base, but bounced back to retire the next two batters, striking out Carlos Franco to end the game. Kannapolis leapfrogged the Braves in the fifth inning. Trailing 2-1, Eric Grabe drew a leadoff walk, and Kale Kiser hit safely. Michael Johnson came through with a two-run base hit for a 3-2 lead.

Recch-ing Crew: Mike Recchia earned the win in his White Sox debut on Saturday, tossing 5.0 innings, giving up two unearned runs on three hits while striking out five and walking one. The Sox signed Recchia (1-0) out of the independent Frontier League earlier this week. He spent the 2012 campaign with Windy City, going 11-3 with a 2.51 ERA for the Thunderbolts.

Running for the Record: Micah Johnson is now three stolen bases shy of equaling an 11-year-old franchise record, set by Chris Amador, who stole 56 bases in 2002. Amador played in 124 games for Kannapolis that season, attempting to steal 71 times. Micah Johnson, who leads the Minors with 53 stolen bases, has attempted 69 stolen bases in 65 games this year.

Triple Take: Micah Johnson tripled on Saturday to increase his SAL- leading total to nine triples this season. Johnson also blasted a leadoff home run in the first, his team-leading fifth of the season. The ninth round pick in June 2012, Johnson went 2-3, upping his average to .332 (84-253), fourth in the SAL. He also leads the league in stolen bases, runs scored (62), and ranks third in hits and on-base percentage (.418).

That's Called A Winning Streak: Kannapolis won a third straight game for the first time since May 26-28 when the Intimidators took a game at Hickory followed by two in Lexington. The Intimidators clinched a series win by taking the first three games over the Braves, the team's first home series win since Aug. 13-15, 2012, against Delmarva.

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