SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Kannapolis Converts Walks into Runs in 6-1 Win

September 3, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, NC -- The Kannapolis Intimidators bounced back to take the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, 6-1 in seven innings, over the Greensboro Grasshoppers in front of 3,487 at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium. The Intimidators took advantage of six Grasshoppers walks, converting them into four runs.

Nick McCully (5-2) pitched well in relief after taking over an injury Phil Negus in the third inning. McCully retired 10 of the 11 batters he faced, including the first nine in a row over 3 and 1/3 innings with two strikeouts. Negus worked 2 and 2/3 innings -- allowing a run on three hits with a walk and three strikeouts -- before a line drive off his right foot forced him from the game. Chris Bassitt pitched a scoreless, hitless ninth inning to finish the game for Kannapolis.

Kannapolis struck in the first inning when Carlos Sanchez singled and went first-to-third on a Trayce Thompson base hit before scoring on a wild pitch. After Greensboro tied the game in the second inning, Ross Wilson drew a leadoff walk in the fourth and scored two batters later on a Miguel Gonzalez base hit up the middle for a 2-1 lead.

In the fifth inning, Grasshoppers reliever Jordan Conley gave up a base hit to Thompson and with two outs walked three straight batters to bring Thompson across the plate his league-leading 93rd run scored. Collin Kuhn followed with a two-run ground-rule double off Chase Shafer, and Keenyn Walker legged out an infield single to drive in another run for a 6-1 lead.

Hoppers starter James Leverton (3-2) took the loss, allowing two runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts in 3 and 2/3 innings. Conley allowed four runs in his one inning of relief, walking three batters and allowing one hit.

Because the Intimidators and Grasshoppers split today's doubleheader, as did Hickory and Greenville in their doubleheader, the Intimidators are still a half-game out of first in the 2nd Half standings. Kannapolis also remains a half-game behind the Grasshoppers in the Northern Division overall standings, meaning if 1st Half winner Hickory also wins the 2nd Half, Greensboro would make the playoffs over Kannapolis.

The Intimidators set a franchise record tonight as the 132,610th fan of the season -- Regina Yoder of Huntersville, N.C. -- entered the ballpark during the first game of the doubleheader, breaking the franchise attendance record of 132,609 set in 2009.

Kannapolis and Greensboro play the fourth game of this five-game season-ending seres on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium For ticket information, call the box office at (704) 932-3267 or visit www.IntimidatorsBaseball.com.

Check out the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Statistics



South Atlantic League Stories from September 3, 2011


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