Zangari goes yard in Intimidators series win
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (May 6, 2016) - Corey Zangari crushed a three-run homer and Intimidators pitching silenced the Hagerstown Suns for a 5-3 win Friday night at Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System.
Corey Zangari stacked Kannapolis to an early three run lead with a mammoth three-run homerun in the bottom of the first inning. For Zangari, it was his team best sixth home run of the season, and his team leading 18th RBI.
Zach Thompson started for the Intimidators and did not take anytime settling into a groove. The right-hander set down the first six Suns batters he faced and threw six shutout innings to earn is second win of the season. Thompson (2-2) struck out five and held the league's best offense to just one hit over his six innings of work.
Following Zangari's home run, Suns starting pitcher, Pedro Avila settled down. The righty allowed only one hit following the Zangari home run and set down the Intimidators in order in the second, third and fourth innings. Avila (1-1) worked five innings, allowing just the home run, while striking out six but was hung with his first loss of the season.
The Intimidators clung to their three run lead until the bottom of the seventh when they broke through for two runs against Suns reliever Taylor Gulibeau. Cleuluis Rondon sparked the rally with a base hit to left. Rondon tallied a season high three hits, going 3-for-3 with a run scored and a walk. Johan Cruz singled home the first run of the inning and was followed by a Gulibeau fielding error that brought home Rondon for the second run of the frame.
Hagerstown was held scoreless through the first seven innings, but broke up the shutout with two unearned runs in the eighth and one unearned run in the ninth. Edwin Lora did not collect a hit for Hagerstown, who were held to just four on the night, but reached base on each of his four trips to the plate. Lora drew three walks and scored a run in the ninth after reaching on a Cody Daily throwing error.
The win gives the Intimidators their first home series win of the year and hands the Suns their first series loss on the road.
The Intimidators open up a 4-game series against the Lakewood BlueClaws on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. as LHP Tanner Banks (5-0, 2.08 ERA) starts for Kannapolis against Lakewood's RHP Harold Arauz (1-2, 4.05 ERA). A postgame fireworks show will follow the game courtesy of Cabarrus Eye Center and Cabarrus Business Magazine. For tickets and promotional information, call the F&M Bank Box Office or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.