SALISBURY, MD - The Delmarva Shorebirds couldn't capitalize on a few scoring chances against the Kannapolis Intimidators, falling 3-1 on Friday night at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.Parker Rigler (4-3) got the win for the Intimidators (2-0, 41-28) with six strong innings, allowing one run on six hits while walking two
SALISBURY, MD - The Delmarva Shorebirds couldn't capitalize on a few scoring chances against the Kannapolis Intimidators, falling 3-1 on Friday night at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.
Parker Rigler (4-3) got the win for the Intimidators (2-0, 41-28) with six strong innings, allowing one run on six hits while walking two and striking out five. Cameron Bishop (6-4) took the loss for the Shorebirds (0-2, 35-34), giving up two runs on three hits in five innings. Joe Mockbee picked up his first hold with a scoreless seventh and Aron McRee handled the eighth and ninth for his second save.
Both starting pitchers traded scoreless innings leading up to the fourth inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Zach Jarrett led off with a double, then Trevor Craport got hit by a pitch and Branden Becker legged out an infield single to load the bases. After nearly squandering the opportunity altogether, Ben Breazeale worked a full-count walk to bring home Jarrett and make it 1-0.
Kannapolis found some offense of their own in the fifth. Tyler Frost earned a one-out walk and proceeded to steal second base. With two outs, Carlos Perez doubled home Frost, and Nolan Brown ripped his own double to left center to score Perez and make it a 2-1 Kannapolis lead.
The Intimidators found some insurance in the eighth. Craig Dedelow reached base on a one-out single and advanced to second on a passed ball. Tate Blackman then walked, followed by a hot shot down the third base line from Michael Hickman that Becker couldn't collect cleanly. Anthony Villa then lifted a shallow fly ball to right, and Dedelow sprinted in for the high-risk run to put Kannapolis further in front at 3-1.
In addition to leaving the bases loaded in the fourth, the Shorebirds stranded men on second and third in the eighth. Delmarva needed a rally in the bottom of the ninth, and Ryan Ripken obliged with a single to right field to start off the frame. Breazeale followed with a single of his own and both runners advanced on a textbook bunt down the third base line by Max Hogan. With the tying runs in scoring position, Kirvin Moesquit cracked a laser right to third baseman Luis Curbelo, who took two steps to the bag to double off Ripken and end the ballgame on an unassisted double play.
Becker finished 2-for-3 with an HBP to lead the Shorebirds, giving him four hits in the first two games of the series. Breazeale went 1-for-3 with the bases-loaded walk and RBI.
Perez led the way for the Intimidators, going 2-for-3 with a double, walk, and RBI. Brown finished the night 2-for-5 with a double and a RBI.
The Shorebirds wrap up their series against the Intimidators on Saturday night, looking to avoid a sweep. Brenan Hanifee (5-3, 2.91) gets the start for Delmarva against Kannapolis' Yosmer Solorzano (1-3, 4.00). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. with gates opening at 4:00 for batting practice. Saturday is a Q105 Firework Night presented by Hudson Health Services, as well as a slew of Delaware State Fair promotions. The first 2,500 fans will receive a Shorebirds team photo, the first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a general admission ticket to the Delaware State Fair, and select fans will receive tickets to the Delaware State Fair Concert Series. Pregame coverage on Fox Sports 960 AM and the MiLB First Pitch app begins at 6:50 with Will DeBoer and Drew Williams on the call.
