Gnats offense erupts in 11th

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (Sept. 1, 2012) -- The Savannah Sand Gnats erupted for five runs in the top of the 11th inning en route to a 6-2 win over the Kannapolis Intimidators on Saturday night at CMC-NorthEast Stadium. Albert Cordero doubled to bring home two runs and Yucarybert De La Cruz pulled the Gnats farther ahead with a three-run triple in the 11th frame.

Savannah starting pitcher Marco Camarena gave up one unearned run over a season-high 9.0 innings, striking out five and walking none, in a no decision. Gnats reliever Estarlin Morel (1-1) tossed a scoreless 10th inning for the win.

Kannapolis struck in the bottom of the first when Adam Heisler reached on a two-base error, and Grant Buckner singled to score the runner for a 1-0 lead.

Matt Lane wiggled out of a bases-loaded, no outs, jam in the third inning. Grant Buckner gloved a hard ground ball and threw home to start a 5-2-3 double play. One batter later, D.J. Jarrad fielded a ground ball behind second base and threw to first to end the inning and the scoring threat.

With two outs in the fourth inning, Lane walked Dustin Lawley, who then scored from first on a Gregory Pron double to tie the game, 1-1.

Lane finished the game with 6.0 innings of work, allowing a run on four hits with four walks and three strikeouts. Daniel Webb tossed 3.0 scoreless innings of relief, retiring the first seven batters he faced, and striking out four batter while walking one.

Jason Van Skike (4-2) tossed a scoreless top of the 10th but got into trouble in the 11th inning, giving up five runs, and suffering his second straight loss.

The Intimidators and Sand Gnats (New York Mets) play the third game of this 4-game series at CMC-NorthEast Stadium on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. For ticket information, call the box office at (704) 932-3267 or visit www.IntimidatorsBaseball.com.