After allowing the GreenJackets to score a combined four runs in the eighth and ninth innings, the Intimidators put up three in the ninth inning and hit a walk-off in the tenth inning to take the first game of the series, 7-6, in an overall wild game in Kannapolis, NC.After
After allowing the GreenJackets to score a combined four runs in the eighth and ninth innings, the Intimidators put up three in the ninth inning and hit a walk-off in the tenth inning to take the first game of the series, 7-6, in an overall wild game in Kannapolis, NC.
After retiring the first five Augusta batters, RHP Spencer Moran allowed a two-out double that bounced in and out of the glove of the diving Ramon Beltre down the right field line, putting a runner in scoring position for Orlando Garcia. The GreenJackets' second baseman then muscled a ball over the left side of the infield a couple pitches into his at-bat, scoring Kirby for the game's first run.
In response to Augusta's run in the second, the Intimidators capitalized on a walk and stolen base from Tate Blackman, as Ian Dawkins scorched a fastball up the middle off RHP Aaron Phillips, tying the game, 1-1.
After zeroes on the board for both teams in the third, Augusta used a single and two walks to load the bases in the fourth, as Ryan Kirby smacked a fielder's choice to Michael Hickman at first, scoring the second run for Augusta. With runners now at first and third for the GreenJackets, Moran induced a 6-4-3 double play to get out of the jam with just one runner coming into score.
Down 2-1, Kannapolis (63-54) used a Steele Walker leadoff hit-by-pitch to get the first runner on, as Walker then stole second to put a runner in scoring position for the good guys. After back-to-back strikeouts for the Intimidators, Carlos Perez smacked a bloop-single on an outside slider into right field to bring in Walker to tie the game, 2-2.
With Moran finishing his five innings on the bump with a double play in the fifth, Tyler Frost cranked his 17th homer of the season into right field with two outs to give the Intimidators a 3-2 lead after five complete.
After a couple clean innings for both sides, the GreenJackets scored two in the eighth inning on a few errors by the Intimidators to tie the game, 3-3, going into the ninth inning.
In the top of the ninth, Manuel Geraldo singled, followed by a fielder's choice smacked to Hickman at first base. But, on the play, Hickman sailed the ball into left-center field, trying to get the lead-runner, putting runners at first and third with no outs. After a strikeout for Will Kincanon, Geraldo scooted home on a wild pitch by Kincanon, giving the GreenJackets a 4-3 edge. After a walk and a pitching change that brought in Andrew Perez, two more runs scored on a single and hit-by-pitch, increasing the lead to three, 6-3.
Losers of eight-straight games, the Intimidators could have easily thrown in the towel and called it a night; but it was only the beginning. In the bottom of the ninth, Walker doubled on the first pitch off the right field wall, scurrying to third base a couple pitches later after a wild pitch from Olbis Parra (BS, 1)(L, 2-6) with no outs. After an infield single to third base off the bat of Blackman, keeping Walker at third base, Perez hit a sacrifice fly into center field to cut the lead to two, 6-4.
Next up, Ian Dawkins roped a double off the wall in left field on a 2-2 pitch, putting runners at second and third for Hickman. On just the second pitch of his at-bat, Hickman doubled on a shot to center field that deflected off Heliot Ramos' glove at the warning track, scoring both Blackman and Dawkins to tie the game, 6-6.
After a clean inning for Jose Nin (W, 5-4) in the top of the tenth inning with a runner placed at second base, the Intimidators took advantage of the new extra inning rule. With Beltre leading off the inning at second base, Frost smoked a ball of the diving first baseman's glove, as the ball trickled into right field, allowing Beltre to come in to score the winning run in a crazy, extra inning game.
The Intimidators and RHP Jhoan Quijada (1-4, 4.38 ERA) will host the GreenJackets (58-59) for game two of the three-game set at 7:05 p.m. Thursday night at Intimidators Stadium supported by Atrium Health.
