Big Fourth Inning Leads Intimidators to Victory Over Hagerstown

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. - Backed by a five-run fourth inning, the Kannapolis Intimidators (60-72, 32-32) notched a 5-4 victory over the Hagerstown Suns Tuesday night in game two of the four-game series.
The Suns struck first in the top of the second, when Jacob Rhinesmith tallied his tenth home run of the season on a fly ball to right field to give Hagerstown a 1-0 lead.  
RHP Johan Dominguez (W, 5-5) started on the rubber for the Intimidators, throwing five frames, striking out four, walking one, and giving up three earned runs over five hits.
Hagerstown (62-72, 32-32) starter LHP Ryan Williamson kept Kannapolis off the scoreboard in his three-shutout innings of work, giving up three hits, walking one, and striking out one.
Kannapolis found the totality of their offense in the bottom of the fourth inning. The first to cross the plate was Tyler Osik, who was brought in on a Cameron Simmons sacrifice fly to make it a 1-1 game. Three batters later, Amado Nunez drove in Corey Zangari and Ramon Beltre on a ground rule double to center field, giving the Intimidators a 3-1 lead. After an Ian Dawkins groundout, Lenyn Sosa singled a line drive to center, allowing Gunnar Troutwine to score, making it a 5-1 lead in favor of Kannapolis.
LHP Alfonso Hernandez (L, 0-2) entered the game in relief of Williamson. The Suns southpaw struggled to keep the Intimidators off the scoreboard, giving up six hits, five earned runs, and two walks over four innings.
The Suns rallied in the top of the sixth, when Drew Mendoza singled a ground ball to right field, scoring Jackson Cluff. One batter later, Jacob Rhinesmith flew out to right field, sacrificing home Cole Daily.
Rhinesmith tallied his second RBI of the night in the top of the eighth, grounding into a fielder's choice to Sosa, allowing Cluff to score his second run of the game.
The Intimidators will look to continue their winning ways Wednesday night in the third game of the series with the Hagerstown Suns. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. Kannapolis will send RHP Kevin Folman (0-4, 5.40 ERA) to the mound in search of his first win of the season, while the Suns will give the nod to Washington Nationals #3 overall prospect RHP Jackson Rutledge (2-0, 2.42 ERA).
Fans can purchase tickets for either of the final two 2019 home games by visiting intimidatorsbaseball.com or stopping by the F&M Bank Box Office located at Intimidators Stadium supported by Atrium Health.