ROME, GA - Despite a 12-hit performance on Tuesday, the Intimidators dropped the first of a three-gamer with the Rome Braves 14-4 at State Mutual Stadium, allowing the Braves to score in six of their eight innings at the plate.As both pitchers worked around singles in the first inning on
ROME, GA - Despite a 12-hit performance on Tuesday, the Intimidators dropped the first of a three-gamer with the Rome Braves 14-4 at State Mutual Stadium, allowing the Braves to score in six of their eight innings at the plate.
As both pitchers worked around singles in the first inning on the hill, Davis Martin (L, 7-9) of the Intimidators was broke first by the Rome offense. In the second, Brendan Venter capped off three-straight Rome singles with a single that dropped before Cam Simmons in left field, scoring Shea Langeliers for the game's first run. After a pop out and batter interference, Carlos Paraguate hit a sacrifice fly on the first pitch of his at-bat to center field, scoring Jeremy Fernandez to extend the lead, 2-0.
In the third, Rome's starter Tanner Lawson (W, 4-6) induced two flyouts to begin the inning, but allowed Ian Dawkins to single to right field on an 0-1 count. After a five-pitch walk to Lenyn Sosa and a seven-pitch walk to Alex Destino, Tyler Osik walked on four-straight pitches to get the Intimidators on the board, down 2-1. One batter later, Ramon Beltre cashed in one of his two hits of the night with a line drive to left field, scoring Sosa to tie the game, 2-2.
However, the Braves returned to the plate a half inning later and got two runs back. Using two singles and then two doubles from Fernandez and Venter, Rome added on to their lead, now up 5-2.
In the fourth, Paraguate reached on a two-base fielding error by Ramon Beltre at third base, as the Rome infielder then used a Justin Dean flyout to right field to move to third. On an 0-2 count, Michael Harris hit a sacrifice fly to Alex Destino in right, bringing in Paraguate to increase the lead to four runs, 6-2.
The Braves looked to William Woods to pitch in relief for Lawson in the fifth frame with the top of the order for Kannapolis due up. On the second pitch of his at-bat, Sosa singled on a line drive to right field to get the frame going. After a flyout and strikeout, Beltre collected his second and final hit of the night on a line drive up the middle, scoring Sosa to cut the lead in half, 6-3.
A half inning later, Lane Ramsey stepped to the bump for the Intimidators, striking out the side to begin his two innings of work. Martin finished his four innings giving up nine hits, six runs, four earned, and striking out three batters.
The Braves added on two more runs in the sixth and four in the seventh to break the game wide open, with Bryce Ball hitting his first homer of the season since his promotion to Rome from Danville. In the eighth, J.B. Olson walked two batters after allowing a single, followed by a hit-by-pitch to bring in the 13th run of the ball game for the Braves.
Position player Ramon Beltre tossed his first inning in his professional career Thursday night, allowing one run (charged to Olson) and inducing a groundout to second base. Kannapolis added on a run in the top of the ninth thanks to a Simmons double (3) and Sosa RBI groundout.
The Intimidators will look to bounce back in game two of the series in Georgia Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. at State Mutual Stadium. Jason Bilous (5-8, 3.55 ERA) will get the ball for Kannapolis against Rome's Ricky DeVito (0-1, 4.91 ERA).
