SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Greensboro Capitalizes on Intimidators' Errors

Published on September 1, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. - The Kannapolis Intimidators dropped the series opener to the Greensboro Grasshoppers, 6-2, on a rainy Thursday night at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium. The loss drops Kannapolis a half-game behind Greensboro for the second-best record in the overall standings in the Northern Division. If first-half winner Hickory wins the second half as well, the team with the next-best overall record makes the playoffs as a wild card.

The Grasshoppers capitalized on two Intimidators errors for three runs. In the third inning, Marcus Semien tried to turn a double play, but his throw sailed wide of first base, allowing a run to come home for a 1-0 Greensboro lead. In the seventh inning with one out, Steven Upchurch walked Marcell Ozuna, and Christian Yelich's base hit to right field got under the glove of Trayce Thompson, rolling to the wall, allowing Ozuna to score. Yelich came home on a sacrifice fly from Mark Canha one batter later, giving the Hoppers a 5-2 edge.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the third, Collin Kuhn led off with a double off the top of the wall in right field, and Keenyn Walker drove him in on a single to center field. Carlos Sanchez cashed Walker with an RBI-groundout for a 2-1 Intimidators lead, but Kannapolis not score agai over the final six frames.

Starting pitcher Jon Bachanov (2-4) took the loss despite striking out a career-high eight batters over five innings of work. He allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits with two walks. Reliever Steven Upchurch worked four innings of relief, allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits.

Rett Varner (8-8) earned the win for Greensboro, allowing two runs on six hits over six innings before turning the ball over to the bullpen. Grant Dayton struck out five batters over two scoreless innings, and Michael Brady worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning to close out the game.

Greensboro broke a tie game in the fifth inning when Ozuna led off with a triple, and Yelich cashed him in on a ground out for a 3-2 lead.

Kannapolis and Greensboro play game two of the five game set on Friday at 7:05 p.m. at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium. The Intimidators can clinch a playoff berth by winning three of their final four games. 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 September 1, 2011


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