Intimidators early lead holds up in 6-4 win

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (July 29, 2016) - The Kannapolis Intimidators batted around in the first inning for four runs and held on against the Greensboro Grasshoppers for a 6-4 win Friday night at Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System. Antonio Rodriguez was one of four Intimidators to have a multi-hit night, going 2-for-4 with three RBI and a double.  

Kannapolis (18-16 Second Half, 42-62) raced out to an early lead against Grasshoppers starter LJ Brewster (4-3). With one out in the bottom of the first, Alex Call doubled down the third base line starting a streak of five straight to reach base safely. Brewster was removed following an Antonio Rodriguez two RBI single, having recorded just one out in his abbreviated outing.

Bradley Strong continued to move the line for Kannapolis in the first inning with an RBI single off Greensboro (19-15 Second Half, 57-47) reliever Joel Effertz to cap a four-run inning in which the Intimidators batted around.  

The Intimidators added two more runs in the second. Tyler Sullivan singled to center to begin the second rally of the night, his first of three hits on the night. Three batters latter Sullivan scored on a KJ Woods RBI single. Antonio Rodriguez chased home the second run of the inning with an RBI double down the right field line, but was thrown out by a Grasshoppers relay that had him caught off the second base bag at second to end the inning.

Greensboro answered the Intimidators early offense with a run of their own in the second inning. Kannapolis starter Jimmy Lambert allowed his only run of the night to Giovanny Alfonzo who singled home Justin Twine following an error by shortstop Johan Cruz.

Lambert was replaced after 2 and 2/3 innings of work by reliever Dylan Barrow. Barrow (2-1) earned his second win of the year with four strong innings of relief, a new career high. In his final inning out, the Grasshoppers tagged Barrow for two runs in the seventh inning to pull to within three runs.

Trailing 6-3 in the ninth, Greensboro challenged Intimidators reliever Ben Wright. Kyle Barrett singled home the fourth run of the night for the Grasshoppers in part of 3-for-5 night at the plate.  

Wright rebounded following Barrett's RBI single, to get Angel Reyes to ground out to end the game. Wright earned his second save of the year with a 2 1/3 inning outing.

The Intimidators have now taken two of the first three games of a five game series with Greensboro and moved to within 2 and a ½ games of the first place Hagerstown Suns.

The Intimidators continue the home stand against the Greensboro Grasshoppers with game four of a five game series. The Intimidators will give the ball to left-hander Johnathan Frebis (7-9, 5.04) while the Grasshoppers will counter with righty Steve Farnworth (4-4, 3.24). On Saturday, July 30, fans can stick around for post-game fireworks presented by SignArt.  For tickets and promotional information, call the F&M Bank Box Office or 704-932-3267 or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.