SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Pitcher's Duel Tips Towards Kannapolis, 2-1 in Series Finale

Published on August 21, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


Kannapolis, NC- The Hagerstown Suns (70-55, 30-25) were held off by the Kannapolis Intimidators (70-53, 33-22) on Sunday afternoon at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium as the home club took the pitcher's duel by a score of 2-1. The first place Intimidators won the four game series three games to one with the triumph in the finale and now hold a three game lead over the Hagerstown Suns in the second-half South Atlantic League Northern Division playoff race.

Intimidators RHP Jon Bachanov (2-2), former first round draft pick of the Los Angeles Angels, pitched a career-high 6.0 scoreless stanzas and scattered three base hits, while walking one and striking out three.

Suns LHP Robbie Ray, the number 15 overall prospect in the Washigton Nationals Minor League system, did not factor into the decision, but pitched great through 4.0 scoreless frames. Ray surrendered one base hit, a single to DH Drew Lee served back up the middle, and struck out seven with just one base-on-balls allowed.

Kannapolis tagged RHP Chris McKenzie (4-5), the losing pitcher of record, with one run in the 5th frame when 3B Rangel Ravelo ricocheted a one-out infield single off the cleat of McKenzie. SS Marcus Semien cranked an opposite field ground-rule double over the right center field fence, which saved a run from scoring against McKenzie as Ravelo had to stop at third base. But, C Miguel Gonzalez lifted an RBI sacrifice fly to right field to plate the game's first run bringing home Ravelo.

In the 6th inning, with LF Chris Curran at third base after an error by Bachanov and a sacrifice bunt by CF Michael Taylor, 3B Blake Kelso sent a line drive to CF Trayce Thompson who caught the ball and threw a lazer beam to home plate with no bounces. Curran tagged up and tried to score and with Gonzalez bracing for a collision, Curran leveled the Kannapolis catcher to the dirt. However, Gonzalez held onto the baseball and solidified the 1-0 lead for the Intimidators.

McKenzie allowed just two earned runs on five base hits, and struck out five batters. The product of San Jacinto College also intentionally walked a hitter, while hitting one with a pitch.

In the 8th frame, RF Keenyn Walker, a first round draft pick in 2011 out of Central Arizona College, singled to center field and stole second base. With two outs, 1B Dan Black, batting from the left side against the righty McKenzie, was intentionally given a free pass to first base to put a force at any base but home. Hagerstown RHP Ben Graham entered the game and Thompson blasted the first pitch he saw into left field for an RBI single, scoring Walker to put Kannapolis on top 2-0.

In the 9th inning, the Suns scored one run after 2B Adrian Sanchez crushed a one out triple into the right center field alley way. Sanchez was 3-for-4 in the contest. C David Freitas drew a walk to put runners on the corners. A pinch runner, Mills Rogers took over for Freitas as the runner at first base. DH Kevin Keyes lifted an RBI sac fly into deep left field, plating Sanchez, to cut the Kannapolis lead in half to 2-1. But, Rogers, the tying run would be left stranded on base as SS Jason Martinson was called out on strikes with a questionable breaking ball that appeared to be two to three inches off the outside corner. Home plate umpire, Ryan Bealo's, strike three call ended the ballgame and the rally hopes for the Hagerstown Suns.

Game One between the visiting Hickory Crawdads (Texas Rangers) on Monday evening will feature a 7:05pm first pitch and a 6:50pm Break Away 2 Sports Lounge Pre-game Show on the radio flagship of the Hagerstown Suns, WJEJ AM 1240. The Suns will send Washington Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg to the mound for his fourth rehabilitation start on the mend after Tommy John Surgery, and his third as a member of the Hagerstown Suns against the Hickory LHP Will Lamb (NR, 0.00).

The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD and are a Class "A" affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Season ticket packages, group outings, and corporate sponsorships are available by calling the Suns at 301-791-6266. Visit the Suns on the web at www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Suns are owned by Hagerstown Baseball, LLC.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 21, 2011


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