Bats Stay Quiet for Kannapolis in 3-1 Loss

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Despite another multi-hit game for Ian Dawkins and a strong pitching performance out of the bullpen, the Intimidators bats stayed quiet Wednesday night against the Drive, falling 3-1 at Flour Field.
The Intimidators were the first team to jump on the scoreboard with a run in the fourth inning, as Alex Destino doubled (11) home Lenyn Sosa on a line drive to left field to give Kannapolis a 1-0 lead.
While picking up three strikeouts through the first three innings in a one-run game, Kannapolis' Davis Martin (L, 3-6) allowed back-to-back singles to begin the bottom of the fourth inning. With no outs, Jordan Wren doubled (10) to center field to score Tyler Esplin and Devlin Granberg to give the Drive a 2-1 advantage.
After a 1-2-3 inning for the Intimidators' bats in the fifth, Greenville used a leadoff triple (4) from Grant Williams and back-to-back singles to extend their lead to two runs, 3-1. Following a mound visit from pitching coach José Bautista, Martin retired the next three batters to leave two runners stranded.
Kannapolis' best chance to score against the Drive came in the sixth frame, as Ian Dawkins singled for his first of two hits on the day with one out. After a strikeout and a single from Romy Gonzalez to put runners at first and second, Greenville made a pitching change to bring in Oddanier Mosqueda.
Next up, Destino reached on a fielding error by Granberg at first base, only to be followed by a strikeout from Amado Nunez to leave all three runners stranded.
Although Devon Perez held the Drive bats hitless through the last three innings on the bump, striking out five batters, Kannapolis was unable to string together multiple hits in in the latter innings.
The Intimidators will head back to Kannapolis for a four-game series with the Greensboro Grasshoppers starting Thursday at 7:00 p.m.