SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Kannapolis Suffers Second Extra-Inning Loss in Three Days

August 13, 2007 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


Kannapolis, NC - It was a story of two line drives to center. Both were caught and both dampened the hopes of the Kannapolis Intimidators. For the second time in three nights, the Intimidators lost an extra-inning game on an unearned run. Kannapolis (24-26, 56-64) lost 6-5 to Hagerstown (16-34, 45-72) in 12 innings Monday night at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium.

Trailing 5-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth, things did not look bright for the Intimidators. Hagerstown reliever Yader Peralta had retired all four batters he had faced on just 12 pitches. But, the Intimidators were able to bat around in the ninth and tie things up.

With one out, Archie Gilbert singled to left. John Anderson added a single right behind him. Then, after a strikeout, Sergio Miranda drew a walk to load the bases. Miranda was lifted for pinch-runner Scotty Madsen. Anderson Gomes singled through the left side to bring in Gilbert and Anderson and cut the Suns lead to 5-4. John Shelby followed suit with a single of his own to tie things up. After Brandon Allen was intentionally walked, Lee Cruz came up. On an 0-2 pitch, Cruz poked a line drive off the end of the bat, that on contact, looked as if it would drop in front of center fielder Francisco Plasencia. Plasencia did not even have to move to haul it in and send the game to bonus action.

After a scoreless 10th inning, Hagerstown led off the 11th with a double off the bat of Marcos Cabral. Scotty Madsen committed a fielding error at shortstop, putting runners on first and second. After a walk loaded the bases and an out was recorded at the plate, Francisco Guzman lined a ball to center field for a sacrifice fly to give Hagerstown a 6-5 lead.

In the bottom half, Billy Killian and Madsen grounded out on the first pitch of their respective at-bats. After Gomes reached on an error, Shelby grounded out to shortstop to end the game.

Kannapolis used just two pitchers the whole night. Jose Zazueta went 6.1 innings as the starter and gave up four runs (three earned) on nine hits. Steve Spurgeon bit the bullet for the bullpen, going the final 4.2 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits. Spurgeon (5-2) has taken the loss in each of the extra-inning games in the last three nights, allowing an unearned run in the decisive inning each time.

The 11-inning affair lasted three hours and 47 minutes.

Both teams will be back at it tomorrow, with the winner taking a two-games-to-one edge in the four-game series. Game time Tuesday night 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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South Atlantic League Stories from August 13, 2007


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