CHARLESTON, S.C. - With Taylor Varnell earning himself another quality start for Kannapolis on the mound and Kannapolis churning 10 hits into five runs, the Intimidators extended their winning streak to three games with a 5-2 victory Tuesday night against the RiverDogs. In the second frame, Bryce Bush reached on
CHARLESTON, S.C. - With Taylor Varnell earning himself another quality start for Kannapolis on the mound and Kannapolis churning 10 hits into five runs, the Intimidators extended their winning streak to three games with a 5-2 victory Tuesday night against the RiverDogs.
In the second frame, Bryce Bush reached on an infield single to shortstop Eduardo Torrealba, moving up five pitches later after Amado Nunez reached on an error committed by third baseman Nelson Gomez. With two on, Luis Curbelo singled on a line drive to left field on a 2-2 pitch, scoring Bush for the game's first run.
After a Ramon Beltre groundout, sending both runners up 90 feet, Ian Dawkins singled on a ground ball through the left side, scoring both Nunez and Curbelo to put the Intimidators up 3-0.
In the fourth, the RiverDogs used a single from Wilkerman Garcia and Josh Stowers to put two runners on, with both runners moving up 90 feet on a double-steal with two outs. On a 3-2 pitch, Gomez ripped a single into left field, scoring Garcia and Stowers to cut the lead to one, 3-2.
Luis Basabe, Chicago White Sox's 7th overall prospect, collected his first hit as an Intimidator in the fifth inning. The Venezuelan outfielder is currently with Kannapolis in a rehab assignment from Double-A Birmingham. After a pitching change, Steele Walker smacked his team-leading third triple of the season to right field, scoring Basabe to double the Kannapolis lead, 4-2.
Varnell (W, 2-1) tossed six strong innings on the bump, allowing two runs on four hits, while striking out six batters. Varnell currently posts a 1.96 ERA through four starts for Kannapolis (7-10).
Wilber Perez followed suit with a three-strikeout performance in one inning of work in the seventh, as Bennett Sousa (S, 2) sealed the deal in the eighth and ninth innings for Kannapolis on the mound with one strikeout.
In the eighth, the Intimidators added on an insurance run thanks to a Curbelo single, bringing in Evan Skoug who reached on a double to lead off the inning. Curbelo, Bush and Basabe all finished the night with two hits.
With the win, Kannapolis will enjoy a three-game winning streak heading into Wednesday night's matchup, as Davis Martin (1-1, 8.80 ERA) of Kannapolis will face off with Jio Orozco (1-1, 1.88 ERA).
