SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

GAME RECAP: KAN 3, HIC 4: Bullpen Brilliant But Intimidators Fall Again

Published on July 1, 2016 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


HICKORY, N.C. - Three Intimidators relievers combined for five scoreless innings, but the Hickory Crawdads edged Kannapolis, 4-3, on Friday night at L.P. Frans Stadium. The Intimidators (4-5 Second Half, 28-51) dropped their third straight game to fall below .500 for the first time in the Second Half of the season.

Pedro Payano (3-3) earned the win, working around four hits and four walks to allow two runs over 3.0 innings. Joe Palumbo took over on the mound for Hickory the in the sixth, and spun 4.0 shutout frames for the save (6). Kannapolis starting pitcher Zach Thompson suffered the loss, allowing four runs (two earned) on two hits while walking three and striking out three. Thompson suffered his first loss since April 24, snapping a streak of 10 straight starts without a losing decision.

The Intimidators bullpen dazzled in relief, combining to spin five shutout frames with four hits and no walks while striking out three. Drew Hasler worked the fourth and fifth innings before Taylore Cherry retired six of seven batters he faced in the sixth and seventh innings. Tanner Mendonca worked a perfect eighth.

Kannapolis scored the game's first run in the first inning, loading the bases with no outs against Crawdads starting pitcher Dillon Tate. Tyler Sullivan scored on a double play grounder for a quick 1-0 lead, but Hickory countered in the home half of the inning as Josh Altmann crossed the plate on a wild pitch to tie the game, 1-1. The Crawdads scored their first run without the benefit of a hit, drawing two walks and a hit by pitch to load the bases against Thompson in the first.

The Intimidators reclaimed the lead against Payano in the third inning. With two outs and runners on first and second, Seby Zavala singled up the gut to score Johan Cruz, who beat the throw from centerfield to the plate for a 2-1 lead.

Hickory capitalized on an Intimidators error to take the lead in the home half of the third inning. The Crawdads loaded the bases with no outs for the second time against Thompson, who struck out the next batter before Eduard Pinto grounded out to second base, scoring the tying run. Yeyson Yrizarri then pulled a ball to third base that got through Cody Daily, allowing two runs to come home on the error for a 4-2 Hickory lead.

Antonio Rodriguez singled with two outs in the fifth to score Cruz, cutting the Crawdads lead to one, but Kannapolis just missed out on tying the game in the top of the seventh. With one out and KJ Woods on first base in the seventh, Landon Lassiter doubled to the wall in right field. Woods raced around the bases and bolted for home, but right field Sherman Lacrus fired a throw from the wall to second baseman Frandy De La Rosa, whose relay to the plate arrived in time for catcher Tyler Sanchez to apply the tag, keeping the Crawdads in front.

The Intimidators and Crawdads play Game 3 of this 4-game series on Saturday as RHP Brannon Easterling (3-1, 2.38 ERA) starts for Kannapolis against Hickory's RHP Erik Swanson (4-2, 3.28 ERA) with first pitch at 7:00 p.m. Kannapolis returns home on the Fourth of July to open a 3-game home stand highlighted by an Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza presented by the City of Kannapolis following Monday's game.

Fans looking for Independence Day fireworks can celebrate at Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System on both Saturday, July 2, as well as Monday, July 4. On Saturday, the third annual All-American Community Celebration presented by Windstream brings a red, white, and blue festival to the ballpark featuring a youth baseball game at 7:05 p.m., patriotic kids parade around the field at 8:30 p.m., and All-American fireworks at 9:30 p.m. On Monday, the Intimidators have a home game on the Fourth of July at 7:05 p.m. against the Hagerstown Suns with post-game fireworks presented by the City of Kannapolis. To order tickets while they last, call the F&M Bank Box Office or 704-932-3267 or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 1, 2016


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