Ballers Complete Seventh Inning Comeback to Swipe Series Finale with Red Sox Sunday 

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – Sunday’s series finale between the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers and the Salem Red Sox saw four total lead changes, but the hometown Ballers pulled out a come-from-behind 4-3 win at Atrium Health Ballpark to close out the homestand.

RHP Jared Kelley tossed another solid outing, allowing one run in 4.2 innings, walking five and striking out four. LHP Haylen Green (W, 3-1) earned his third victory in relief, firing 2.1 innings, allowing two runs, three hits, walking three and striking out one.

Salem opened the scoring in the top of the fifth after Kelley departed, notching a 1-0 lead on a Tyler Miller RBI single, scoring Eddinson Paulino.

Kannapolis answered by taking the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, getting on the board with a DJ Gladney RBI single, scoring Wes Kath to tie the game at 1-1. Wilfred Veras promptly followed with an RBI double to center field, allowing Gladney to cross the plate, handing the Ballers a 2-1 advantage.

The lead changed hands again in the top of the sixth inning, when Salem rattled off two runs to take a 3-2 lead. A passed ball by Ballers catcher Nick Thornquist allowed Yorberto Mejicano to score, followed quickly by a Paulino sacrifice fly to permit Bryan Gonzalez to touch home, making it 3-2 Red Sox.

Never losing hope, Kannapolis fought back and retook the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning, tying the game on a Veras RBI double, trailed quickly by a Colby Smelley RBI single, putting the Ballers up 4-3 late.

RHP Liam Jenkins (S, 3) entered on the mound for Kannapolis, earning his third save of the season with two innings of shutout work against a tough Red Sox team.

The Ballers will take a day off Monday before heading on the road for a six-game set with the Columbia Fireflies, Low-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals Tuesday-Sunday. Kannapolis returns home August 23-28 for a six-game series with the Carolina Mudcats at Atrium Health Ballpark.

Fans can purchase tickets for any upcoming home games at kcballers.com or at the F&M Bank Box Office located at Atrium Health Ballpark.