Wheeler leads shutout to end 6-game slide

Thomas blasts home run in second straight game in route

By Josh Feldman

August 11, 2014

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (August 11, 2014) - The Intimidators built a big lead early and Andre Wheeler spearheaded a shutout of the Lexington Legends as Kannapolis ended its 6-game losing streak with a 10-0 win on Monday at CMC-NorthEast Stadium. Wheeler (2-3) earned his second win of the season, tossing 5.0 shutout innings of 1-hit ball while striking out three and walking two.

Matt Abramson followed with 3.0 scoreless frames out of the pen, scattering four hits and two walks while fanning two. Andrew Mitchell preserved the shutout with a scoreless ninth, striking out out two.

Toby Thomas blasted Kannapolis on the board with his second home run (2) in as many days, hitting a 3-run blast to left field with no outs in the second inning.

Kannapolis (54-64, 25-26 Second Half) led 3-0 before pushing a touchdown across the plate in a 7-run third inning. Danny Hayes and Jacob Morris kickstarted the rally with a pair of RBI-doubles for a 5-0 lead. Carl Thomore's sac-fly cashed Morris for a 6-0 lead. T.J. Williams chipped in with a 2-run double off reliever Pedro Fernandez, and a the Intimidators added two more runs on a Chevy Clarke sac-fly and an ensuing throwing error by Legends right-fielder Dex Kjerstad.

Lexington starter Matt Tenuta left due to an apparent injury, escorted off the mound by trainer Mark Keiser with a 3-0 count to Thomas with one out in the third. Tenuta (5-9) took the loss, allowing seven runs on six hits over 2 and 1/3 innings. Pedro Fernandez tossed the final 5 and 2/3 innings for Lexington, including blanking the Intimidators over the final five frames.

The Intimidators continue the series against the Legends with game two of three as RHP Robinson Leyer (5-8, 3.43) takes the mound for Kannapolis against Lexington's RHP Alec Mills (1-1, 1.23). Tuesday's game is Arby's Two-for-Tuesday featuring 2-for-1 tickets when fans present any Arby's proof of purchase at the box office. For ticket and promotional information, call the F&M Bank Box Office at (704) 932-3267 or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.