SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Grayson's Single Edges Intimidators in 11th

Published on August 2, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


HICKORY, N.C. (Aug. 2, 2012) -- The Hickory Crawdads opened the bottom of the 11th inning with three hits, including Chris Grayson's game- winning single as the Crawdads edged the Intimidators, 4-3, on Thursday night at L.P. Frans Stadium. Zach Cone and Alejandro Selen opened the final inning with doubles, setting the table for Grayson's heroics.

Grayson finished the game 3-for-5 with a home run, a triple, two RBI and two runs score.

Kannapolis reliever Chris Hanna, who was working into his sixth inning in the 11th, suffered the loss for Kannapolis. Hanna, who had pitched for Hickory before being released by the Rangers at the end of July, tossed four scoreless innings to force extra innings. He then struck out the side in the 10th, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out six over his first five innings on the mound.

Hickory reliever Jose Monegro (1-0) tossed a 1-2-3 frame in the top of the 11th to earn the win.

Grayson put the Crawdads on the board first with a solo home run (10) to right field with one out in the second inning. Trever Adams added a big fly, his seventh of the season, to give Hickory a 2-0 lead in the third inning.

The Intimidators strung together singles by Chris Curley, Mark Haddow and Grant Buckner to get on the board in the fourth inning and tied the game, 2-2, on a passed ball.

Grayson tripled to lead off the fourth inning and scored a tie- breaking run on a Jorge Alfaro double for a 3-2 Hickory lead.

Hickory's starter Will Lamb struck out a career-high eight batters over 5 and 1/3 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits. Kannapolis had a chance to tie the game or take a lead after chasing Lamb from the game, but with runners on first and second with one out, Martin Medina's singled off the wall in right field, but the runners paused on the base paths to see if the ball would be caught. When it wasn't, right fielder Zach Cone threw in to second base where Medina was tagged out stretching for a double then Curley was thrown out at the plate to end the inning with Hickory still ahead, 3-2.

Intimidators left fielder Kyle Robinson led off the seventh inning with a game-tying home run, his first with Kannapolis.

Bryan Blough worked a career-long 5.0 innings in his first start with Kannapolis, allowing three runs on eight hits in a no decision.

Kannapolis returns to CMC-NorthEast Stadium tomorrow for a four-game series against the Rome Braves. Friday night the Intimidators are giving away seat cushions to the first 500 fans courtesy of Time Warner Cable. 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 August 2, 2012


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