KANNAPOLIS, N.C. - The Kannapolis Intimidators (19-23) took on the Delmarva Shorebirds (32-9) for the fourth time in three days Sunday afternoon, with the Intimidators ultimately falling to the Shorebirds 8-4 thanks to 11 hits and two Kannapolis errors.Jonathan Stiever (L 3-3) took the mound for Kannapolis and had one
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. - The Kannapolis Intimidators (19-23) took on the Delmarva Shorebirds (32-9) for the fourth time in three days Sunday afternoon, with the Intimidators ultimately falling to the Shorebirds 8-4 thanks to 11 hits and two Kannapolis errors.
Jonathan Stiever (L 3-3) took the mound for Kannapolis and had one of those days where the baseball just didn't bounce his way.
Towards the beginning of the top of the second, Doran Turchin hit a two-run home run (4) to make things 2-0. However, the bad luck for Stiever began when Delmarva had two bloop singles and a check-swing that resulted in a line drive single in three of the next four batters, which helped Delmarva put up a four-spot in the inning.
A wild pitch in the top of the third allowed Turchin to score once again to extend Delmarva's lead to 5-0.
Finally, in the bottom of the fourth, a Romy Gonzalez home run (1) that bounced off the scoreboard and went 420 feet got Kannapolis on the board. Johan Cruz then followed suit in the bottom of the fifth with a home run (2) of his own (his second in as many games).
Unfortunately, this came after Seamus Curran hit a three-run home run (4) in the top half of that fifth inning to leave us with a score of 8-2 after five frames.
Stiever was credited with the loss on the afternoon and had a final line of 5 IP, 11 H, 8 ER, and 7 K's.
Andrew Perez (0-2, 2.33 ERA) came in and threw three scoreless innings with three strikeouts. In an attempt to save arms with the score seemingly out of reach, Ryan Newman decided to call a position player to the bump for the top of the ninth.
Alex Destino, who pitched in emergency only situations in college, was brought in. He gave up one run to put Delmarva up 9-2 but did tally his first minor league strikeout with a fastball that hit 88mph.
Travis Moniot tacked on his second RBI of the season by scoring Amado Nunez, who reached on a double to lead off the ninth.
The Intimidators will finish their series with the Shorebirds on Monday at 7:00 p.m. Taylor Varnell (3-2, 3.89 ERA) will be on the bump for Kannapolis.
