SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Intimidators vs. GreenJackets - Game Notes - June 12, 2013

Published on June 12, 2013 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


Today's Preview: The Intimidators (A, White Sox) look to avoid a sweep in today's series finale against the GreenJackets (A, Giants) at CMC- NorthEast Stadium. Euclides Leyer will once again duel Joe Biagini in a rematch of an April 21 pitching match up at Lake Olmstead Stadium. Augusta swept a doubleheader Tuesday to open this three-game set, winning 9-3 and 7-1 to clinch a series win. As a result, the GreenJackets pulled within 3.5 games of first place in the SAL Southern Division with five games to play. Kannapolis was eliminated from the Northern Division first half race over the weekend. The Intimidators and GreenJackets split a four-game series at Lake Olmstead Stadium April 18-21. Kannapolis will return from the All- Star Break with a four-game trip to Augusta.

Sweating a Sweep: The Intimidators are trying to avoid being swept at home for the third time this season after dropping three-game sets against Delmarva (April 15-17) and West Virginia (May 20-22). Kannapolis has been swept three times on the road this season. The Intimidators have yet to sweep a series in 2012. Kannapolis is now 0-6-1 in home series. Back, Back, Back: Kannapolis dropped to a season-worst 13.5 games back of first place Hickory (37-27). The Intimidators had not been 13.0 games out since May 27 following a loss in Lexington.

Intimidating Starters: Euclides Leyer, 22, makes his team-leading 13th start of the season and his second against Augusta. He dropped his previous start against the GreenJackets on April 21, allowing a run on three hits over 5 1/3 innings. He has lost his last four decisions with his last win coming May 10 at Asheville, giving up two runs on seven hits. He has struck out six batters in each of his last three starts. He has struggled in his three home starts this season, going 0-3 with an ERA of 10.80 (16 ER/13.1 IP), compared to 2-4 with a 3.56 in nine road starts.

Augusta's Arms: Joe Biagini, 23, takes the ball for his 11th start of the season and second against Kannapolis. He defeated the Intimidators on April 21, working 6.0 scoreless innings and striking out seven batters. Biagini has won each of his last two starts and three of his last four. He is not as polished on the road as he has been at Lake Olmstead Stadium, going 1-1 with a 4.99 ERA in six road starts compared to 3-0 with a 2.14 ERA in Augusta. The Giants drafted Biagini in the 26th round of the June 2011 draft out of UC Davis. He spent the first half of 2012 with Augusta, going 0-4 with a 7.41 ERA including a loss to the Intimidators at CMC-NorthEast Stadium on April 24, 2012, before spending the second half of the season with Short-Season Salem- Kaizer, going 2-4 with a 4.27 ERA.

About Last Night: The GreenJackets swept Tuesday's doubleheader, winning Game 1, 9-3, and Game 2, 7-1. Augusta scored two runs in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings in the first game. Ben Turner went 3-3, finishing a triple shy of the cycle, and Alberto Robles drove in 3 runs, going 3-4 at the plate. Joan Gregorio worked 6.0 innings for Augusta to earn the win while Jefferson Olacio (2-8) lasted just 4 1/3 innings, taking the loss. Kannapolis was kept off the scoreboard over the final six innings of Game 2, failing to score again after a first inning home run by Jason Coats (4). Kendry Flores worked six innings, striking out seven, to earn the win for Augusta. Ryan Bollinger worked 2.0 perfect relief innings for Kannapolis. Off on the Wrong Foot: In dropping Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader, the Intimidators are now 3-16 in series openers this season (.158). Kannapolis has been better when finishing a series, going 7-10 (.412) in finales this season.

First or Worst: The Intimidators are 20-12 when scoring the game's first run this season, eighth-best in the SAL. When the opponent scores first, Kannapolis is just 3-28 this season. Micah Goes Streaking: All-Star second baseman Micah Johnson has hit safely in his last seven games, batting .462 (12-26) in that span. He is one game shy of equaling his season-long hitting streak of eight games from May 16-24, during which time he hit .378 (14-37). The Minor League leader in stolen bases with 50, Johnson also ranks second in the Minors in runs scored with 59. He was caught stealing at third base during Tuesday's doubleheader for his Minors-most 15th time caught stealing.

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