CarL Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Mendoza's Stellar Day at the Plate Not Enough in 8-5 Loss to Charleston

Published on July 1, 2021 under Carolina League (CarL)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. - Despite a three-run homer and a three-hit day for the hot-hitting Harvin Mendoza, the Cannon Ballers pitching staff allowed 11 hits and eight runs to the RiverDogs Wednesday night, dropping the second game of the six-game homestand, 8-5.

Down by five runs in the sixth inning, Samil Polanco extended his hit-streak to 15 games as he roped a double to right field, putting himself and Daniel Millwee in scoring position for Mendoza. After a groundout off the bat of Bryan Ramos to bring in Millwee to cut the lead to four, Mendoza smacked a three-run shot over the right field wall on a 1-0 pitch from Neraldo Catalina, pulling the Cannon Ballers within one run, 5-4.

Charleston (33-15) jumped out to an early lead in the first inning off Kannapolis starter Martin Carrasco (L, 1-3), using an error by Mendoza at first to do so. After the error to lead off the ball game, the RiverDogs pieced together a single and a double to go up 1-0.

Two batters later, Abiezel Ramirez tripled on ball to right-center, scoring two Charleston runners, extending the lead to three runs. Following a seven-pitch walk for Nick Schnell, the RiverDogs executed a double steal with runners at the corners, as Ramirez stole home on the throw down to second base, pushing the lead to four.

Ty Madrigal received the first call out of the bullpen from Kannapolis manager Guillermo Quiroz after just two innings of work from Carrasco. In his three frames on the bump, Madrigal punched out six Charleston batters, allowing just two hits and no runs.

In the seventh inning and up 5-4, the RiverDogs used a solo homer to right-center off the bat of Brett Wisely to extend their lead to two runs.

It didn't take long for the Cannon Ballers to answer, as Chase Krogman cranked his fifth homerun of the season to the right field bar, again, pulling the Ballers within one run.

However, in the eighth and ninth innings, the RiverDogs tagged on a run in each inning via a groundout, giving the visiting team a three-run lead going into the bottom of the ninth.

With fireworks going off in the distance at a nearby concert, Mendoza collected his third hit of the game with a leadoff single to right field off closer Angel Felipe (S, 3). With Mendoza at first, Felipe struck out three-straight Kannapolis batters to end the late-inning threat.

The Cannon Ballers (15-34) will be back in action Thursday night in game three of the six-game set with the RiverDogs, with RHP Kevin Folman (1-1, 4.91 ERA) getting the ball for Kannapolis. Tickets can be purchased for any of the remaining home games at kcballers.com or at the F&M Bank Box Office located at Atrium Health Ballpark.

Check out the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from July 1, 2021


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