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Hagerstown Suns

Thompson Swats Two Homers to Carry K-Dators Over Suns

August 20, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


Hagerstown, MD- The Hagerstown Suns (70-54, 30-24) fell to the Kannapolis Intimidators (69-53, 32-22) on Saturday night at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium with a four-run 1st inning to win 6-2. The Suns are now two games behind Kannapolis in the second-half South Atlantic League Northern Division playoff race. Kannapolis owns a (5-4) record against the Suns in 2011 play and lead the current four-game series two wins to one. Intimidators CF Trayce Thompson had a career night at the plate, lifting two home runs to propel the Intimidators to victory.

Kannapolis LHP Spencer Arroyo (9-8), the winning pitcher, was terrific through 8.0 innings in which he allowed two earned runs on four hits, while walking one and fanning five.

The Intimidators leaped out with four runs on four hits off RHP Matt Swynenberg (6-2), the losing pitcher of record, in the 1st frame. RF Keenyn Walker lifted an opposite field double off the left center field wall, 2B Carlos Sanchez ripped an RBI double to the right center field gap, 1B Dan Black drew a one-out walk, and Thompson cranked a three-run home run blast over the left field fence to the base of the flag court, his 22nd deep fly of the season.

In the 2nd stanza, Hagerstown answered with one run as 1B David Freitas worked a leadoff walk, RF Kevin Keyes laced a single into left field, and C Adrian Nieto, who was the only Sun with a multi-hit night, nailed an RBI single into left center field scoring Freitas to cut the Kannapolis lead to 4-1.

Swynenberg went 6.0 innings and surrendered six earned runs on nine hits, one walk, and a pair of home runs.

The Intimidators grabbed a 5-1 lead with one run in the 4th frame after SS Marcus Semien lined a double to the left field corner and DH Leighton Pangilinan crushed an RBI double into the right center field gap.

The Suns plated their second and final run in the 5th inning as SS Jason Martinson blasted his 16th home run of the season over the right center field wall, a high-arching majestic four-bagger.

Kannapolis tagged Swynenberg one more time with Thompson's second round tripper of the evening to the same spot as his first homer over the left field barrier but a bit deeper than the first. The smash sizzled through the flag court poles to put the Intimidators up 6-2 giving Thompson 23 home runs on the campaign.

Despite Hagerstown RHP Dean Weaver striking out the side in the 7th inning and retiring six in a row through two scoreless innings, no late magic existed for the Suns offense.

Kannapolis RHP Steven Upchurch pitched a scoreless 9th stanza despite giving up a soft single to DH Blake Kelso to shallow right field and a double up the left field line rocketed by Freitas. Keyes grounded out to Semien at shortstop to end the contest.

The Game Four finale on Sunday afternoon will feature a 5:05pm first pitch and a 4:50pm Break Away 2 Sports Lounge Pre-game Show on the radio flagship of the Hagerstown Suns, WJEJ AM 1240. The Suns will bring LHP Robbie Ray (2-2, 2.20) against the Kannapolis RHP Jon Bachanov (1-2, 3.08).

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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