Hoppers shortstop Riddle too tough to solve

Intimidators drop opener of final series of 2014 campaign

By Josh Feldman

August 29, 2014

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (August 29, 2014) - Greensboro shortstop J.T. Riddle drove in the game's first runs in the fourth inning, and the Grasshoppers went on to beat the Kannapolis Intimidators, 7-2, on Friday at CMC-NorthEast Stadium. Riddle finished 2-for-5 with a pair of RBIs to lead the playoff-bound Grasshoppers to a victory in the series opener.

Domingo German (9-3) struck out seven batters over 5.0 scoreless innings while limiting Kannapolis to one hit and one walk, earning the win.

Jose Brito started on the mound for Kannapolis, his first start of the season. Brito (3-2) matched his longest outing of the season, tossing 3 and 2/3 innings but allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits while walking four and striking out two in the loss.

The Grasshoppers broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning for a 3-0 lead. With the bases loaded and two outs, Riddle blooped a base hit into shallow left-center field, scoring Felix Munoz and Chad Wallach, and Yefri Perez crossed the plate on a throwing error on the play by center fielder Jacob Morris.

Kannapolis cut into the Greensboro lead in the seventh inning. Chevy Clarke opened a 2-out rally with a double, and T.J. Williams followed with his own double to cash Clarke and put the Intimidators on the scoreboard. Mike Danner added a base hit to plate Williams, cutting the Hoppers lead to 3-2. After Eddy Alvarez drew a walk, Greensboro lifted reliever Tyler Kane in favor of Miguel Del Pozo, who struck out Christian Stringer with the tying and go-ahead runs on base.

Tanner Banks, the White Sox 18th round pick in the June 2014 First-Year Player Draft, spun 2 and 1/3 scoreless relief innings in his Class A debut. Bank struck out two while allowing two hits.

Despite pulling within a run, the Intimidators could never fully close the gap, and the Grasshoppers ran away with the game by scoring four runs in the top of the ninth, all with two outs. Mason Davis and Brian Anderson extended the lead with RBI-singles, and Avery Romero connected on a 2-run double.

The Intimidators continue this 4-game series against the Grasshoppers on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. when LHP Chris Freudenberg (2-1, 4.88) faces Greensboro's RHP Kyle Fischer (1-0, 2.60). Saturday night's game is the final fireworks night of the season, presented by CMC-NorthEast. For ticket and promotional information, call the F&M Bank Box Office at (704) 932-3267 or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.