Giolito too hot to handle in Hagerstown

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (July 25, 2014) - Lucas Giolito, the Washington Nationals top prospect, retired 18 straight Kannapolis Intimidators over 6.0 scoreless innings as the Hagerstown Suns claimed the series rubber match, 5-1, on Friday at Municipal Stadium. Kannapolis (47-54, 18-16 Second Half) was 1-hit for only the second time this season and dropped the last two games of the 3-game series in Hagerstown.

Giolito retired the last 18 batters he faced after giving up a leadoff single to Adam Engel to start the game. Giolito, whom the Nationals selected out of Harvard-Westlake High School in Los Angeles, Calif., with the 16th overall pick in the June 2012 First-Year Player Draft, struck out seven batters while working 6.0 innings of 1-hit ball.  

John Wooten's 2-out home run (8) in the first inning opened the Suns' offensive attack. They added four more runs, including a solo home run by Jimmy Yezzo (9) over the next four innings to take a 5-0 lead.

Andre Wheeler (1-3) took the loss for Kannapolis, allowing five runs on four hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Prior to allowing a pair of home runs today, Wheeler had allowed just two home runs all season.  

Jordan Guerrero tossed 2 and 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, striking out five batters, and Andrew Mitchell worked a scoreless eighth inning, striking out two.

Engel legged out an infield single to open the game against Giolito, extending his career-best hitting streak to 12 games.  

The Intimidators' lone run came in the seventh inning without the benefit of a hit. Christian Stringer drew a leadoff walk off Joseph Webb. Stringer stole second base, and with no one cover the bag, catch Spencer Kieboom's throw sailed into centerfield, allowing Stringer to advance to third. Danny Hayes later followed with an RBI-groundout.

Webb tossed the final 3.0 innings for Hagerstown for the save (1).

The Intimidators head to Lakewood, N.J., to play five games in four days against the BlueClaws (Phillies) starting on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. The team returns to Kannapolis on Thursday, July 31, for a 7-game home stand against the Augusta GreenJackets (Giants) and Hickory Crawdads (Rangers). For ticket and promotional information, call the F&M Bank Box Office at (704) 932-3267 or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.