SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Thompson Shuts out Suns over 7.0 Innings

Published on July 6, 2016 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. - Starting pitcher Zach Thompson tossed a career-high 7.0 innings, and the Intimidators broke out the brooms to complete a 3-game sweep of the Hagerstown Suns with a 5-0 shutout win on Wednesday night at Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System. Kannapolis (9-5 Second Half, 33-51) picked up its fifth straight win, the team's longest winning streak of the season and first 5-game winning streak since 2014.

Thompson (6-3) did not allow a hit over the first four innings and struck out six batters on the night on his way to earning the win. The White Sox fifth round pick from the June 2014 First-Year Player Draft lowered his ERA to 2.62, seventh lowest in the South Atlantic League.

Ben Wright, the White Sox 16th round pick from the June 2016 First-Year Player Draft, made his Class A debut why working a scoreless eighth and ninth innings for his first save (1). Wright, a former UNLV pitcher, earned a promotion from Advanced Rookie Great Falls to Kannapolis on Tuesday.

Cody Daily opened the offense with an RBI-fielders choice to plate Landon Lassiter in the second inning, and KJ Woods drove a solo home run (4) to center field in the third inning for a 2-0 lead. Woods has now homered in three of the Intimidators last four games.

Daily added an RBI-double as part of a 2-run fourth inning, finishing the game 1-4 with a pair of RBI. Johan Cruz, who went 2-for-4, also drove in a run with a fourth inning double. In the sixth, Tyler Sullivan tripled to score Grant Massey from first base for a 5-0 lead.

Kannapolis has now won five shutouts this season, with their most recent bagel coming June 24 against Delmarva. The Intimidators have won five straight games since July 2, the team's longest winning streak since an 8-game streak June 25-July 2, 2014. Kannapolis also completed its first 3-game series sweep since August 11-13, 2014, when the team took three straight games against the Legends.

The Intimidators hit the road for the weekend with a commuter series at Greensboro's NewBridge Bank Park starting Thursday Kannapolis sends RHP Brannon Easterling (4-1, 2.17 ERA) to the mound against the Grasshoppers' RHP Steven Farnsworth (3-3, 3.31 ERA) at 7:00 p.m. The Intimidators return home on Tuesday, July 12, for a 7-game home stand featuring another Cabarrus Brewing Company Craft Beer Sampling Night on Friday, July 15. To order tickets while they last, call the F&M Bank Box Office or 704-932-3267 or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com .

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 6, 2016


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