KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (April 20, 2019) - The Suns were unable to sweep the Kannapolis Intimidators after the bullpen surrendered five runs in the sixth to sink the Suns 6-4 at Intimidators Stadium Saturday evening.Hagerstown (8-9) jumped out to a 4-1 lead after an excellent start from Joan Adon . The righty tossed
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (April 20, 2019) - The Suns were unable to sweep the Kannapolis Intimidators after the bullpen surrendered five runs in the sixth to sink the Suns 6-4 at Intimidators Stadium Saturday evening.
Hagerstown (8-9) jumped out to a 4-1 lead after an excellent start from Joan Adon . The righty tossed five innings, allowing just one earned run and surrendering just three hits, while whiffing six Intimidators (5-10) batters.
Ryan Tapani (L, 1-1) entered the game and struggled to find the zone. He allowed five runs, all in the sixth. The Intimidators line-up tagged him for four hits and he issued two free passes as the Suns fell behind 6-4.
The scoring began with an Amado Nunez single to plate Gunnar Troutwine Nunez scored after a Tapani wild pitch that brought Kannapolis within one. Logan Sowers tied the game, lining a base hit to left to score Luis Curbelo. Later, Ramon Beltre doubled to score Sowers and Ian Dawkins and push Kannapolis ahead 6-4.
After Tapani was lifted, Jhonatan German was able to spin a scoreless eighth to keep the bats close.
The Suns scored early again, adding three runs in the second inning. KJ Harrison kept his hot start going, skying a double to center to score Jacob Rhinesmith. Following the game today, Harrison has earned a .432 batting average in 12 games played, which is good for the top mark in the Class-A baseball. The next highest average comes from Michael Stefanic, who plays for the Burlington Bees in the Midwest League.
After that, Juan Pascal looped a base hit to center to score Gilbert Lara and Harrison. Following today's game, Lara is on a seven-game hitting streak, good for the Suns' longest streak of the season. He is hitting 11-for-30 (.366) over the stretch, which began April 14.
Kade McClure (1-0) stuck around for six innings and earned the win after his offense lifted him past the Suns bullpen. Austin Conway (S, 1) worked the ninth and set down Hagerstown to earn his first save of 2019.
Monday, the Suns play the Greenville Drive at 6:05 p.m. at Municipal Stadium. The Suns will start LHP Tim Cate (0-1, 1.76 ERA) and the Drive have yet to announce their starters for the series.
After an off day Sunday, Hagerstown returns to historic Municipal Stadium Monday for another seven-game homestand, where they host the Greenville Drive and Greensboro Grasshoppers April 22-April 28. The homestand begins with a Monday game against the Drive and that series concludes Wednesday with our first Bark in the Park of 2019. The Grasshoppers' series is highlighted by Thirsty Thursday, Friday Night Lights and Autism Awareness Night. Finally, the homestand concludes with Sunday Funday against the Grasshoppers, April 28. For tickets visit HagerstownSuns.com or call (301) 791-6066.
