Despite out-hitting the Tourists 10-to-4, the Intimidators dropped their last home game of the season 5-4 in 10 innings, proving to be the third extra inning game played throughout the four-game series with Asheville in Kannapolis, NC.In the first, the Tourists capitalized on a couple hits and four walks issued
Despite out-hitting the Tourists 10-to-4, the Intimidators dropped their last home game of the season 5-4 in 10 innings, proving to be the third extra inning game played throughout the four-game series with Asheville in Kannapolis, NC.
In the first, the Tourists capitalized on a couple hits and four walks issued by Kannapolis starter Yosmer Solorzano, scoring four runs in the first frame to take an early lead. In the home-half of the first, Tyler Frost struck out looking on a low strike call, leading to his first ejection of the season, while also leading to four defensive changes for Kannapolis.
In the bottom of the second, Kannapolis used a walk from Craig Dedelow and two singles from Tate Blackman and Michael Hickman to load the bases for Carlos Perez. After seeing a slider in the dirt, Perez took a 1-0 fastball through the left side scoring Dedelow to cut the lead to three, 4-1.
Next up, Ian Dawkins grounded into a 4-6-3 double play for the first two outs of the inning, as Blackman scored on the play to slice the lead in half, 4-2.
In the third, Kannapolis's Luis Curbelo doubled off the left-center field wall, moving to third one batter later after a Johan Cruz sacrifice bunt. With one out, Steele Walker connected with a 2-2 pitch to center field, bringing in Curbelo for the I's third run of the game, now 4-3. Three batters later and with Walker at second base, Hickman singled on a sharp groundball to right field, scoring Walker to tie the game, 4-4.
Both pitching staffs settled in over the next six innings, sending the game into extras, tied 4-4.
In the top of the tenth, Casey Golden flied out to Dawkins in right field, sending Sean Bouchard to third base with one out. Two batters later and with Matt McLaughlin at the plate, Jose Nin (L, 5-5) threw a wild pitch that went through the legs of Carlos Perez, scoring Bouchard, allowing Asheville to take a 5-4 lead.
In the bottom of the inning, after being bunted over to third base, Curbelo got thrown out at the plate with the infield in, proving to be the last chance for Kannapolis.
The Intimidators will head to Hagerstown to take on the Suns, battling the West Virginia Power for the wild card spot with just four games to play.
