SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Intimidators Bully RiverDogs, 9-3

Published on April 20, 2006 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, SC -- Catcher Francisco Hernandez belted a two-run home run and drove home four runs, and three Kannapolis pitchers fanned 16 batters as the Kannapolis Intimidators handled the Charleston RiverDogs, 9-3, in South Atlantic League action Thursday night at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

With the victory, the Intimidators snap a seven-game skid and improve to 2-11 on the season. The RiverDogs dropped their third straight and slipped to 5-8. Charleston set season highs in runs and hits allowed in addition to times striking out.

Kannapolis starting pitcher Ricky Brooks threw 5.1 innings and struck out eight batters as he improved his record to 1-2. Jason Rice went 2.2 scoreless innings and fanned six, while Oneli Perez, in only one inning of work, sat down two.

Shortstop Javier Castillo also homered as part of his three-hit night, in addition to scoring three times and driving in three to aid the Intimidators' cause.

Kannapolis, after Hernandez doubled home a run in the first inning, exploded for five more in the third against starter Rolando Japa (0-3) on five hits and one RiverDogs error. In addition to Hernandez's two-run homer, Castillo had a RBI double to right center and DH Aaron Cunningham singled home two more runs.

The RiverDogs rallied to score three runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by Chris Malec's two-run double to right field that snapped a 16-inning scoreless drought for Charleston dating back to Monday night. Jose Gil drove in the final run on a ground out to shortstop.

In Kannapolis' seventh inning, Hernandez drove home his fourth run of the evening when he hit a sacrifice fly to center field. The Intimidators added two more runs in the ninth inning when Castillo slammed a two-run homer with one out.

Japa dropped his third decision of the season as he allowed six runs on seven hits. He struck out five and walked one. Jim Conroy also fanned four batters in his four innings of work.

Game 2 of this four-game series continues Friday with a rare 10:35 a.m. start for Charleston County Education Day, sponsored by Smuckers and Clear Channel. Roughly 5,000 students representing more than 45 local schools are expected to be in attendance. Southpaw Wilkins Arias (0-1, 2.31 ERA) gets the call for Charleston while Kannapolis counters with right-hander Ryan Rote (0-2, 6.75 ERA).

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 20, 2006


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