SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Suns Shut Out Intimidators in Series Finale

Published on May 31, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (May 31, 2011) -- The Kannapolis Intimidators brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth but came up short against the Hagerstown Suns, 3-0, on Tuesday night in the series finale. After consecutive walks in the ninth inning, Suns closer Christopher Manno struck out two batters to end the game and split the series, 2-2.

Bryce Harper put the Suns ahead early, following Blake Kelso's first- inning double with a run-scoring single to give Hagerstown the lead, 1-0. Kelso added a solo homer (2) in the top of the third.

Kannapolis (1-4) starter Steven Upchurch went 5.0 innings, allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts in a losing effort.

Suns starter Robbie Ray walked the first two batters in the third inning, but after a sacrifice bunt to put them into scoring position, retired the next two batters to end the Intimidators threat to tie of the game early on. Ray walked the leadoff man in the bottom of the fourth, but Brady Shoemaker lined into an inning-ending double-play.

Ray walked the leadoff man for the third straight inning in the fifth, and Juan Silverio followed with a double to put runners in scoring position with no outs, but John Spatola popped out and Kyle Eveland struck out before Ray plunked Ross Wilson to load the bases with two outs. Drew Lee popped out to end the inning, however, and Kannapolis was kept off the scoreboard through five innings. Ray (2-0) earned the win, allowing one hit and four walks and three strikeouts.

Harper doubled off reliever J.R. Ballinger in the sixth inning and stole third base before David Freitas drove him in with a single to left field. Ballinger tossed 2 2/3 innings, allowing a run on two hits with a walk and a strikeout.

Trayce Thompson doubled off reliever Neil Holland to begin the bottom of the sixth, but Mike Blanke lined into a double play to wipe the base paths clean to end another Intimidators threat.

Kannapolis kept the Suns lead at three with strong defense in the eighth inning. With a runner on third and one out, Kyle Eveland came home with a ground ball, and Blanke applied the tag for the second out. Wes Whisler then came into the game and, before throwing a pitch, picked off the runner on first base to end the inning.

Manno came into the game with a runner on first base in the bottom of the eighth and recorded three strikeouts to keep Kannapolis off the scoreboard through eight innings. Manno held on for his seventh save of the season.

Kannapolis travels to Savannah, Ga., on Wednesday to begin a four-game series against the Savannah Sand Gnats. The Intimidators return to Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium on Sunday, June 5, with a three-game series against against the Rome Braves.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 31, 2011


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