Ayarza's go-ahead double caps big 8th

GREENSBORO, N.C. (June 26, 2018) -- Trailing by three runs, Greensboro rallied in their final at-bats to score a come-from-behind win, 8-7, over Kannapolis on Tuesday afternoon at First National Bank Field. Rodrigo Ayarza hit the go-ahead double with two outs in the bottom of the eighth to cap a 4-run frame for the Grasshoppers (38-36). 
The Hoppers bullpen kept the Intimidators quiet over 5 and 2/3 innings of relief. Colton Hock, Chris Reed, and Vincenzo Aiello combined to strick out five while working around two hits and four walks. Aiello (1-0) tossed a scoreless eighth and ninth inning to earn the win. 
Trailing 7-4 heading into the bottom of the eighth, Greensboro rallied for four runs to reclaim the lead for the first time since the second inning. Kannapolis reliever Aron McRee plunked Will Allen to open the inning and hurled a wild pitch, moving Allen into scoring position before a Lazaro Alonso groundout put the runner on third. Isael Soto, Micah Brown, and Ricardo Cespedes followed with a hit parade of three consecutive singles, leaving the bases loaded and the Hoppers down 7-5. 
Greensboro pulled within a run in the bottom of the eighth, 7-6, when a passed ball evaded Intimidators catcher Evan Skoug, allowing Soto to score. Garvis Lara added an RBI-groundout to tie the game, and Ayarza provided the go-ahead double off reliever Jose Nin, cashing Cespedes for an 8-7 lead. 
McRee (2-2) took the loss for Kannapolis.
The Grasshoppers built an early 2-0 lead with runs in the first two frames. In the bottom of the first, Thomas Jones singled, stole second base, and eventually scored thanks to back-to-back groundouts by Jose Devers and Will Allen.
Kannapolis jumped ahead with a 5-run third inning. With runners in scoring position, Luis Curbelo lined a double to right field, scoring J.J. Muno and Nolan Brown to tie the game, 2-2. Tate Blackman followed with a ground-rule double, scoring Curbelo for the go-ahead run. Tyler Frost capped the big inning with a 2-run home run (11) for a 5-2 Intimidators advantage. 
The Intimidators added to their lead in the fourth with two more runs as Curbelo singled to once again drive in Muno and Brown for a 7-2 lead. 
Greensboro got both runs back in the bottom of the fifth when Jones belted a 2-run home run (8), scoring Rodrigo Ayarza.
Trevor Rogers struck out five batters over 3 and 1/3 relief innings. The starter allowed seven runs on eight hits while walking two in his sixth start of the season, a no decision. 
The Grasshoppers continue this 6-game home stand by opening a 3-game series against the Delmarva Shorebirds with first pitch on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. from First National Bank Field. Tickets are available online at gsohoppers.com.