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SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Massey's 2-Run Single Caps 4-Run Rally in 9th

June 4, 2016 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Intimidators were down to their final out trailing by two runs in the ninth inning before rallying for four runs to steal a 5-3 win over the RiverDogs on Saturday at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park in Charleston. Kannapolis (22-34) enjoyed a pair of fortuitous bounces, twice grounding balls off the second base bag, bouncing away from the middle infielders to score runs.

Jack Charleston (1-3) retired all six batters he faced to earn his first win at the Class A level. The reliever struck out two over a perfect eighth and ninth inning.

Down 3-1 going into the ninth, Landon Lassiter singled before Danny Mendick drew a 2-out walk, putting men on first and second for Antonio Rodriguez. The base runners were the first two allowed by RiverDogs reliever Nestor Cortes since the fifth inning. Rodriguez grounded what looked to be the final out up the middle, but the ball bounced off second base and away from shortstop Kyle Holder and second baseman Hoy Jun Park, allowing Lassiter to cross the plate, sparking the rally.

Corey Zangari grounded a ball to Holder, whose throw to second base pulled Park off the bag, allowing Mendick to score as the Intimidators avoided what would have been the game's final out. Grant Massey followed with a chopper up the middle to score Rodriguez and Zangari for a 5-3 lead.

Cortes (2-1) took the loss for Charleston. He had rendered Kannapolis quiet over his first four innings before the Intimidators finally broke through in the ninth. Cortes finished with 5.0 innings pitched, allowing four runs (one earned) on four hits with a walk and eight strikeouts.

The RiverDogs took their first lead in the home half of the fifth. Jeff Hendrix and Park singled to chase Intimidators starter Johnathan Frebis from the game with one out. Following a double-steal that put both runners in scoring position, reliever Alex Katz induced a Chris Gittens RBI-groundout, scoring Hendrix to put Charleston up 2-1. With Connor Spencer at bat, Park broke from third base and stole home, his 11th stolen base of the season and second steal of the plate in 2016.

Kannapolis used a RiverDogs error and a little luck to plate the games first run in the top of the first. With two outs and Cody Daily on second base, Mendick singled up the middle where the ball deflected off the second base bag away from Park, allowing Daily to score for an early 1-0 lead. Mendick has now hit safely in 23 of his last 25 games for Kannapolis.

Charleston tied the game, 1-1, in the bottom of the second inning when Nathan Mikolas walked and moved to third on a Eduardo Navas double before Cesar Diaz drove him in with a sacrifice fly to left field.

Domingo Acevedo, the Yankees No. 5 Prospect according to Baseball America, made his first start after a month-long stint on the RiverDogs disabled list. He struck out six batters over 3 and 2/3 innings, allowing a run on three hits while walking none in a no decision.

The ninth inning rally is the biggest final frame by the Intimidators since scoring eight runs, all with two outs, in the ninth on May 9, 2015, to beat the Lexington Legends, 13-8, at Whitaker Bank Ballpark.

Following an off day on Sunday, the team returns to Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System on Monday, to open a 7-game home stand. RHP Luis Martinez will start for Kannapolis on Monday to open a 3-game series against the Greenville Drive (Red Sox). Monday's game is another Belly Buster Night featuring all-you-can-eat for only $10 (some restrictions apply). The upcoming home stand features Teacher Appreciation Night presented by Learning Rx (June 9), Craft Beer Sampling Night presented by Cabarrus Brewing Company (June 10), Fireworks Night presented by Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat Associates (June 11), and Bark in the Park presented by South Ridge Veterinary Hospital (June 12). For tickets and promotional information, call the F&M Bank Box Office or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 4, 2016


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