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Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Intimidators Homer Their Way to First Win over Tourists in 11 Games

August 22, 2007 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


Asheville, NC ? Sometimes, you have to fight fire with fire. Wednesday night at McCormick Field, the Kannapolis Intimidators and Asheville Tourists went toe-to-toe early on and the Intimidators came out on top, 9-7. The Intimidators (28-30, 60-68) beat the Tourists (34-24, 76-51) for the first time in 11 games, snapping a 10-game losing streak against Asheville and collecting their first win against the Tourists at McCormick Field.

McCormick Field became a launching pad early on. Five home runs were hit, three by Kannapolis and two by Asheville. Anderson Gomes hit a solo shot in the first inning to get Kannapolis out to a 1-0 lead. After scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning with just one hit, Asheville got a two-run homer from Hector Gomez to take a 4-1 lead. John Shelby decked a grand slam to straightaway center field (his second grand slam of the road trip) in the third to put Kannapolis back on top, 5-4. Mike McKenry answered with a three-run shot in the bottom of the fourth to give Asheville a 7-5 lead. And not to be outdone, Brandon Allen crushed a three-run homer to center field even deeper than Shelby?s to give the Intimidators an 8-7 advantage. Kannapolis added an unearned insurance run in the sixth to go up by two.

Of the 16 runs scored in the game, 13 of them were scored on home runs.

Gomes pounded out five hits on the night, including the solo home run in the first, three singles, and a ninth-inning double. He scored three times. Sergio Miranda had two hits and two runs. Allen added a single to his home run for a two-hit night.

On the mound, starter Jake Rasner was shaky early on. The two runs he allowed in the first inning came on just one hit, three walks, and a hit batsman. After giving up the two homers for five more runs, Rasner retired the Tourists 1-2-3 in the fifth and left with the lead.

The bullpen took care of the rest. Noe Rodriguez threw three innings of shutout relief, allowing just two hits and striking out four. Ryan Rote notched his second save of the road trip and fourth of the year with a scoreless ninth. Rote was helped out by a nifty 4-6-3 double play when John Anderson made a diving stop behind second base, flipped the ball backhanded from his glove to Miranda at second, who threw on to first for the twin killing.

Rasner (6-10) recorded his first win in his last nine starts, dating back to July 3rd.

Kannapolis moved to 4-2 on the road trip, guaranteeing them a winning record on a second consecutive road trip. The Intimidators went 5-3 on their eight-game excavation to Delmarva and Lakewood earlier in the month.

Kannapolis and Asheville will play the rubber match of their three-game series Thursday night at McCormick Field. Game time is set for 7:05 pm.

Season Ticket & Advertising information is available now for the 2007 season. For more information or to join the hometown champs call the Intimidators front office at 704.932.FANS (3267) or visit www.intimidatorsbaseball.com.

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