SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Morris Keeps It Close as I's Rally to Squash Bugs

June 9, 2015 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (June 9, 2015) - Reliever Jacob Morris struck out a career-high-tying four batters over a pair of scoreless innings, allowing the Intimidators to rally for a 6-4 win over the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Tuesday at Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System. Kannapolis (28-30) scored four runs over its final two innings at the plate for the come-from-behind win.

Morris (3-2) earned the win with 2.0 innings of work, limiting the Hoppers to one run. A converted outfielder who is in his first season on the mound, he struck out the side while working around a hit in the eighth inning. Matt Cooper tossed a scoreless ninth for the save (5).

Eddy Alvarez paced the Intimidators offense, going 3-for-4 with two RBI, a walk, a stolen base and a run scored. Alexander Simon and Ryan Leonards each went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Trailing 4-2, Kannapolis rallied for three runs in the seventh inning to take the lead. With one out and men on first and second, C.J. Robinson replaced Sam Alvis on the mound for Greensboro. Alvarez grounded to first, but Mason Robbins beat a throw home on the fielders choice, pulling Kannapolis within a run. Christian Stringer followed with an RBI-double to tie the game, 4-4. Two batters later, Simon singled to cash Stringer for a 5-4 lead. Alvarez added an RBI-single in the eighth for a 6-4 lead.

Greensboro's Mason Davis led off the game with a triple and scored one batter later on a Brian Schales sacrifice-fly. Eddy Alvarez tied the game by opening the bottom of the first with a base hit and later scoring on a Hoppers error.

After Kannapolis claimed a 2-1 lead on Ryan Leonards fourth inning single to score Alexander Simon, the Hoppers leapfrogged Kannapolis with three runs in the fifth to take a 4-2 advantage. Justin Twine and Rodrigo Vigil opened the top of the fifth with back-to-back extra-base hits to tie the game, and Brian Schales later added a two-run double with two outs.

Spencer Adams tossed 6.0 innings, giving up four runs on six hits in a no decision. He struck out two and walked one. Greensboro starting pitcher Tyler Kolek, the second overall pick by the Miami Marlins in the June 2014 First-Year Player Draft, worked 4.0 innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out two and walking none in a no decision.

Earlier Tuesday, the South Atlantic League announced the rosters for the 56th Annual S.A.L. All-Star Game on June 23 in Asheville. Shortstop Eddy Alvarez and catcher Brett Austin will represent Kannapolis as members of the Northern Division.

The Intimidators continue this three-game series on Wednesday when RHP Yelmison Peralta (2-4, 7.11 ERA) takes the mound for Kannapolis against the Grasshoppers' RHP Luis Castillo (2-2, 3.86 ERA). For tickets and promotional information, call the F&M Bank Box Office at (704) 932-3267 or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 9, 2015


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