SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Intimidators Comeback Stopped Short, 8-6

Published on July 26, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


The Kannapolis Intimidators trailed throughout the ballgame but had a shot in the ninth with the bases loaded and two down. Reliever Paul Bargas was able to get Daniel Wagner to tap a 3-2 pitch back to him to hold on to win 8-6 on Monday night at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium.

The Intimidators (13-18) had trailed by scores of 5-0 and 8-2 but in the eighth they were able to get back-to-back singles off Coty Woods to start the inning. After an RBI-groundout by Jose Vargas, Miguel Gonzalez reached on an error, scoring another run to make it 8-4. With two down in the inning, Wagner doubled to center to make it 8-5 after eight innings. Closer Sheng-An Kuo got the final out in the eighth, but allowed the Wagner double and a walk before closing the frame.

In the ninth inning, Kuo remained in the game and allowed back-to-back one out walks to Brady Shoemaker and Nick Ciolli to put the tying run to the plate. Jose Vargas popped out, but Gonzalez hit an RBI-single to make it 8-6. After Juan Silverio was hit by a pitch, the bases were loaded with two down and the game-tying run at second base. The Tourists (18-13) then brought in Jonathan Bargas, a lefty, to face the lefty Wagner. After fouling off four 3-2 pitches, Bargas got Wagner to tap the ball back to him, where he could make an easy play to first to end the game.

Matt Hopps started for the Intimidators and battled early allowing just one earned run through four innings, but a three-run fifth saw him leave the game. Hopps (1-9) allowed five runs, four earned in the game and was relieved by Ryan Kussmual who allowed two runs in two innings and Pat Schatz, in his first appearance of the season, allowed a solo home run in 1.1 innings. JR Ballinger helped Schatz out of the ninth inning with two on to keep the game at 8-5.

The 11th overall pick in the 2009 draft Tyler Matzek (3-1) struggled in five innings for the Tourists as he allowed six hits and two runs with five walks and seven strikeouts. He got out of bases loaded and no one down in the second and base running mistakes hindered the Intimidators early on.

Ciolli had a three-hit day and ends the day with his average above .300 for the first time since April 15th at .303. He was as low as .248 on May 19th. Shoemaker had a two-out single in the fifth inning with the bases loaded and two down to open the scoring against Matzek.

The loss snaps a three-game winning streak for the Intimidators and they hope to win on Tuesday at 11:05 am behind Cameron Bayne for their first series win since June 12th. Bayne will be opposed by Jonathan Vargas.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 26, 2010


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