Banks' strong start overshadowed in loss

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (May 29, 2016) - The Intimidators could not solve Asheville starting pitcher Jack Wynkoop, who pitched the Tourists to a shutout win, 5-0, on Sunday afternoon at Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System. Wynkoop worked a career-high 8 and 2/3 innings while giving up only six hits to Kannapolis (20-30).  

Tanner Banks did his best to match Wynkoop, but one rough inning was all it took for the Tourists to tag the Intimidators starting pitcher with his third straight loss. Banks (6-3) worked 7.0 innings, allowing three runs - all in the fifth - on seven hits while striking out three and walking none. The Intimidators starting pitcher has now received three total runs of support over his last four starts.  

Wynkoop (6-2) came within an out of Asheville's first 9-inning complete game shutout of the season on his way to the win. With two outs in the ninth inning, Tourists third baseman Max George committed a fielding error, allowing Danny Mendick to reach base and ending Wynkoop's afternoon after 99 pitches (71 strikes).  

In the fifth, Asheville (26-22) staked itself to a lead that Kannapolis could not overcome. Sam Hilliard led off with an infield single, stole second base and moved to third on an ensuing error before scoring on Terry McClure's RBI-single. Scotty Burcham doubled home McClure, and Mylz Jones added a run-scoring hit for a 3-0 lead.  

Yelmison Peralta pitched the eighth and ninth innings for Kannapolis, allowing two runs (one earned) in the final frame.  

The game lasted just two hours and three minutes, the second-fastest 9-inning game the Intimidators have played this season. Banks tossed a 9-inning complete game shutout in an hour, 56 minutes on April 20 at West Virginia.

The Intimidators continue this home stand by welcoming the Augusta GreenJackets (San Francisco Giants) to Kannapolis on Monday at 6:05 p.m. Kannapolis will send LHP Johanthan Frebis (4-2, 4.32 ERA) to the mound against Augusta's RHP Phil Bickford ().  Every Monday this season is a Belly Buster Monday featuring all-you-can-eat for only $10 (excludes pre-packaged items like candy and sodas and third-party vendors like The Smoke Pit). For tickets, call the F&M Bank Box Office at 704-932-3267 or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.