SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Intimidators Walk off in Crazy Extra Inning Game with GreenJackets

Published on August 15, 2018 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


After allowing the GreenJackets to score a combined four runs in the eighth and ninth innings, the Intimidators put up three in the ninth inning and hit a walk-off in the tenth inning to take the first game of the series, 7-6, in an overall wild game in Kannapolis, NC.

After retiring the first five Augusta batters, RHP Spencer Moran allowed a two-out double that bounced in and out of the glove of the diving Ramon Beltre down the right field line, putting a runner in scoring position for Orlando Garcia. The GreenJackets' second baseman then muscled a ball over the left side of the infield a couple pitches into his at-bat, scoring Kirby for the game's first run.

In response to Augusta's run in the second, the Intimidators capitalized on a walk and stolen base from Tate Blackman, as Ian Dawkins scorched a fastball up the middle off RHP Aaron Phillips, tying the game, 1-1.

After zeroes on the board for both teams in the third, Augusta used a single and two walks to load the bases in the fourth, as Ryan Kirby smacked a fielder's choice to Michael Hickman at first, scoring the second run for Augusta. With runners now at first and third for the GreenJackets, Moran induced a 6-4-3 double play to get out of the jam with just one runner coming into score.

Down 2-1, Kannapolis (63-54) used a Steele Walker leadoff hit-by-pitch to get the first runner on, as Walker then stole second to put a runner in scoring position for the good guys. After back-to-back strikeouts for the Intimidators, Carlos Perez smacked a bloop-single on an outside slider into right field to bring in Walker to tie the game, 2-2.

With Moran finishing his five innings on the bump with a double play in the fifth, Tyler Frost cranked his 17th homer of the season into right field with two outs to give the Intimidators a 3-2 lead after five complete.

After a couple clean innings for both sides, the GreenJackets scored two in the eighth inning on a few errors by the Intimidators to tie the game, 3-3, going into the ninth inning.

In the top of the ninth, Manuel Geraldo singled, followed by a fielder's choice smacked to Hickman at first base. But, on the play, Hickman sailed the ball into left-center field, trying to get the lead-runner, putting runners at first and third with no outs. After a strikeout for Will Kincanon, Geraldo scooted home on a wild pitch by Kincanon, giving the GreenJackets a 4-3 edge. After a walk and a pitching change that brought in Andrew Perez, two more runs scored on a single and hit-by-pitch, increasing the lead to three, 6-3.

Losers of eight-straight games, the Intimidators could have easily thrown in the towel and called it a night; but it was only the beginning. In the bottom of the ninth, Walker doubled on the first pitch off the right field wall, scurrying to third base a couple pitches later after a wild pitch from Olbis Parra (BS, 1)(L, 2-6) with no outs. After an infield single to third base off the bat of Blackman, keeping Walker at third base, Perez hit a sacrifice fly into center field to cut the lead to two, 6-4.

Next up, Ian Dawkins roped a double off the wall in left field on a 2-2 pitch, putting runners at second and third for Hickman. On just the second pitch of his at-bat, Hickman doubled on a shot to center field that deflected off Heliot Ramos' glove at the warning track, scoring both Blackman and Dawkins to tie the game, 6-6.

After a clean inning for Jose Nin (W, 5-4) in the top of the tenth inning with a runner placed at second base, the Intimidators took advantage of the new extra inning rule. With Beltre leading off the inning at second base, Frost smoked a ball of the diving first baseman's glove, as the ball trickled into right field, allowing Beltre to come in to score the winning run in a crazy, extra inning game.

The Intimidators and RHP Jhoan Quijada (1-4, 4.38 ERA) will host the GreenJackets (58-59) for game two of the three-game set at 7:05 p.m. Thursday night at Intimidators Stadium supported by Atrium Health.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 15, 2018


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