Adams earns seventh win with strong start

 

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (August 1, 2015)- The Kannapolis Intimidators used timely hitting and shaky Grasshopper pitching to beat Greensboro, 7-4, Saturday night in front of 4,551 fans at Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System. Michael Suiter extended his hitting streak to a career-high 11 games when singled in his final at-bat of the game. Suiter ended his night 1-for-4 with a RBI and a walk. During the streak that dates back to July 19, Suiter is hitting .318 (14-44).

Spencer Adams earned the win (7-5), spinning 6.0 innings, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out a season-high-tying six. Adams struck out six against Augusta on July 7.

Tyler Kolek worked just 2.0 innings, taking the loss (4-8) while walking five and striking out two.

The Intimidators jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, after Brett Austin singled to score Mason Robbins and Ryan Leonards.

The Grasshoppers countered in the second, tying the game 2-2. Justin Twine doubled home Brian Schales and later scored on a sac-fly.

In the home half of the second, Kannapolis scored two more runs to make it 4-2, thanks in large part to five Tyler Kolek walks. With the bases loaded Robbins grounded into a force out to score John Ziznewski. And Leonards later walked with the bases loaded to score Ethan Gross.

K.J. Woods cut the lead down to 4-3 in the third with a solo home run over the left-field wall.

Kannapolis recaptured their two-run lead in the bottom of the third after Gross grounded out to score Toby Thomas.

In the fifth, the Intimidators padded their advantage when John Ziznewski singled home Cody Daily, who led the inning off with a double, to make it 6-3.

Greensboro's Twine cut the lead to 6-4 with a solo homo run in the seventh, but Kannapolis again responded in the home half of the frame when Suiter singled home Ziznewski.

Kelvis Valerio earned the save (5), working 1 and 2/3 innings, allowing no runs while striking out three.

The Intimidators and Grasshoppers wrap up their four-game series Sunday at Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System. Intimidators ace Thad Lowry (10-5, 3.90) gets the start against Michael Mader (4-9, 5.02). Sunday is the Intimidators annual Kids Eat Free game presented by the City of Kannapolis Parks & Recreation Department. The first 200 kids (ages 14 and under) will receive a voucher for a free hot dog, chips, and drink. Sunday is also Kids Day presented by Cornerstone Church, which includes $5 kids tickets, pre-game autographs, and post-game kids run the bases. Get your Sunday night tickets today by calling the F&M Bank Box Office at (704) 932-3267 or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.