SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Suns Burn Intimidators with Pair of 5-Run Innings

Published on May 29, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (May 29, 2015) - The Hagerstown Suns used a pair of five-run innings - highlighted by Austin Davidson's grand slam in the fourth - to burn the Intimidators, 12-6, on Friday at Municipal Stadium. Kannapolis (22-26) gave up two home runs, including an inside-the-park shot by Brennan Middleton, while the Suns evened the series at one game apiece.

Suns reliever Mario Sanchez (1-2) spun 3 and 1/3 scoreless innings, limiting Kannapolis to one hit, on his way to the win. He took over for starter Jefry Rodriguez, who lasted 4 and 2/3 innings, giving up five runs on three hits with five walks and four strikeouts.

Kannapolis opened with runs in each of the first three innings. Eddy Alvarez opened the game by drawing a lead off walk - his team-leading 33rd on the season. Alvarez stole second base, and Louie Lechich came through with a one-out RBI-single for a 1-0 lead. In the second, James Baldwin connected on a sacrifice-fly - his second of the series - to score Ethan Gross. In the third, Lechich and Nick Basto hit back-to-back doubles for a 3-0 lead.

In the bottom of the third with one out and nobody on base, Hagerstown DH Brennan Middleton drove a ball to the gap in left-center field. Outfielders James Baldwin and Nick Basto collided in the gap, jarring the ball out of Baldwin's glove. Middleton rounded the bases for an inside-the-park home run (1), the first home run of his professional career.

The Suns surged ahead in the home half of the fourth inning. David Masters drew a bases-loaded walk, the third free-pass from Intimidators starter Luis Martinez in the inning, to cut the Kannapolis lead to one, 3-2. Davidson followed with a grand slam home run (3) to right field, putting Hagerstown ahead, 6-3.

The grand slam was the first allowed by Kannapolis since July 15, 2014, when Augusta's Rafael Rodriguez went yard against Dylan Chavez. Hagerstown had not hit a grand slam off Kannapolis since May 23, 2002, when Julian Benavidez connected against Julia Castro.

Martinez (1-5) took the loss, giving up six runs on four hits with four walks and two strikeouts. Tanner Banks took the mound with one out in the fourth and kept the Suns off the scoreboard until giving up three straight singles to open the sixth inning.

After Kannapolis scored two runs in the fifth to pull within one, 6-5, the Suns ran away with the game thanks to a five-run sixth inning. In the big frame, Hagerstown sent 11 men to the plate, using two RBI-singles, two bases-loaded walks, and an Intimidators error to extend its lead to 11-5.

Kannapolis continues this four-games series against the Suns on Friday at Municipal Stadium as RHP Luis Martinez (1-4, 6.14 ERA) takes the mound for the Intimidators against Hagerstown's RHP Jefry Rodriguez (1-3, 7.20 ERA). The Intimidators return home on Thursday, June 4, for a four-game series against Delmarva. For tickets and promotional information, call the F&M Bank Box Office at (704) 932-3267 or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.

Check out the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from May 29, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central