Gonzalez's Four Hits Not Enough As Bullpen Drops the Ball for Kannapolis

CHARLESTON, W.V. - The Kannapolis Intimidators (6-5, 34-45) went back and forth all afternoon with the West Virginia Power (5-6, 42-39) at Appalachian Power Park, but ultimately was let down by the bullpen and fell 9-8 in the last game of the series.
For the third straight game, Kannapolis struck in the top of the first. With Lenyn Sosa on third base, West Virginia balked to allow him to come into score to make things 1-0 early on.
In the top of the second, the home runs continued to fly this series for Kannapolis. Corey Zangari hit a solo shot (6) to double the lead to 2-0. It was the first of three on the day for the Intimidators.
One inning later in the top of the third, a groundout from Johan Cruz brought Ramon Beltre in to push the lead to 3-0.
Eventually, in the bottom of the fourth, the Power managed to get a couple runs back. Bobby Honeyman doubled and scored J.R. Davis and Julio Rodriguez to cut their deficit to one run.
It didn't take long for Kannapolis to re-extend. In the top of the fifth, a passed ball from West Virginia's catcher scored Ramon Beltre. Then in the top of the sixth, Romy Gonzalez hit a solo home run (2) to put Kannapolis up 5-2 through six frames.
Davis Martin's day ended after six innings with his final line reading as: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 7 K, BB. Devon Perez came in to relieve Martin.
As the game headed into the top of the eighth, Romy Gonzalez struck again. He hit his second solo shot of the day, and third home run of the season to bring the Kannapolis lead to 6-2.
West Virginia wouldn't go away easily. A fielding error by Cruz in the bottom of the eighth scored Davis to bring the Power within three runs, 6-3. A pitching change was then made after Perez went just 1.1 innings to bring in J.B. Olson. A David Sheaffer sac fly scored Charlie McConnell in the bottom of the eighth as well to cut the deficit to two runs.
With one out in the bottom of the ninth, the slug fest the series has been continued. Ryan Ramiz hit a two-run home run to tie the game at 6-6, sending the game into extras.
In the top of the 10^th inning, Romy Gonzalez tallied his fourth hit of the ballgame, this one a double, to score Alex Destino and put Kannapolis in front 7-6. Amado Nunez then singled to score Gonzalez to extend the lead to 8-6 heading into the bottom of the tenth.
J.B. Olson (L, 0-1) remained in the game for Kannapolis. After tying the game with a couple singles and walks, Ryan Ramiz singled to bring in Honeyman and give West Virginia the 9-8 win.
Kannapolis travels back to Intimidators Stadium supported by Atrium Health on Monday to take on Rome at 7:00 p.m. for a three-game series.