Rapp's homer secures GreenJackets win

AUGUSTA, GA. - Coming into the bottom of the eighth, first baseman Joey Rapp already had two hits, a run and the GreenJackets had a 3-1 lead. But, Rapp found a way to improve his night.

The Sarasota, Fla. native led off the inning with a home run to right center field, en route to the GreenJackets (39-31) 5-1 win against the Intimidators (27-42) at Lake Olmstead Stadium.

The GreenJackets got off to a hot start when center fielder Jesus Galindo led off the first inning with a single to right field. In the next at-bat, second baseman Trevor Brown doubled down the right line allowing the speedy Galindo to score from first base.

Augusta tacked on a second run in the bottom of the second. After right fielder Chuckie Jones reached on a fielder's choice, he advanced to second on a ground out by Rafael Rodriguez, stole third base and then crossed home plate when catcher Eric Sim singled on a line drive to right field.

While the GreenJackets gradually put runs on the board, the Intimidators struggled to get a hit. With right-handed pitcher Kendry Flores starting on the mound for Augusta, Kannapolis only had three hits. However, the Intimidators' first hit was huge for them.

Kannapolis' Micah Johnson led off the fourth inning with a line drive home run over the right field wall, finally putting the Intimidators on the board.

After Johnson's homer, the GreenJackets continued to add to their lead.

In the bottom of the second, Rapp led off with a single to right field, moved to second on a single by Rafael Rodriguez, took third when Sim was hit by a pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly by Galindo.

Rapp scored once again with his homer in the bottom of the eighth to give the GreenJackets a 4-1 lead against the Intimidators. The final run of the game came shortly after.

After a fielding error by Kannapolis' shortstop Tim Anderson, Rodriguez reached first base. He then advanced to second on a ground out by Sim and scored on a single by Galindo.

While the GreenJackets offense was the highlight of the night, their pitching staff had another dominate outing.

Flores worked seven innings while giving up just three hits and one run. He fanned 10 batters to pick up his fifth win of the season, improving his record to 5-4.

Jorge Bucardo relieved Flores and pitched a scoreless, hitless eighth inning. Then Steven Okert closed out the game with a scoreless, hitless ninth inning to secure the win for the GreenJackets.

Augusta and Kannapolis will continue their four-game series tomorrow at 7:05 p.m.