Martinez shines but Suns brighter in extras

Intimidators come up empty-handed over final seven innings

By Josh Feldman

June 17, 2015

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (June 17, 2015) - Luis Martinez spun six strong innings for Kannapolis, but the Hagerstown bullpen kept the Intimidators quiet before rallying in the 11th inning for a 4-1 Suns win on Wednesday at Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System. The Intimidators (32-34) put just two base runners aboard over the final six innings as Hagerstown pitching retired 18 of the final 19 Kannapolis batters of the game.

In the top of the 11th, the Suns rallied against reliever David Trexler, who had spun a scoreless 10th. Jose Marmolejos-Diaz singled to score Alec Keller for a 2-1 lead, and Grant DeBruin and Jeff Gardner followed with back-to-back RBI-doubles.

R.C. Orlan (2-0) tossed two perfect innings to earn the win, striking out five of the six batters he faced. Jake Walsh spun a perfect bottom of the 11th for the save (2). Trexler (0-2) took the loss for Kannapolis.

Hunter Jones found the game's first hit in the bottom of the fourth inning, a broken bat grounder up the middle that shortstop David Masters threw away, landing Jones on second base. Two batters later, Louie Lechich singled to cash Jones for a 1-0 lead.

Martinez kept the Suns hitless through the first four innings giving up a single to Jeff Gardner with one out in the fifth. Martinez finished after 6.0 innings, giving up a run on four hits with three strikeouts and two walks in a no decision. Suns starter Austen Williams also spun 6.0 innings, giving up an unearned run on four hits.

Hagerstown evened the game in Martinez's final inning of work, using a Raudy Reed RBI-single to plate Brennan Middleton to tie the game, 1-1, in the top of the sixth.

Kelvis Valerio spun three scoreless, hitless relief innings for Kannapolis to get the game to extras.

The Intimidators wrap up this three-game series against Hagerstown on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. as RHP Thad Lowry (7-2, 3.66 ERA) takes the mound for Kannapolis against Hagerstown's RHP Joan Baez (0-0, 4.82 ERA). Thursday's game is a Thirsty Thursday presented by Andersen Heating and Cooling featuring a special appearance by WWE Hall of Famer and wrestling legend Hacksaw Jim Duggan. For tickets and promotional information, call the F&M Bank Box Office at (704) 932-3267 or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.