Intimidators Drop Shorebirds, 11-4

Salisbury, Md. - The Kannapolis Intimidators (4-2) scored five runs between the fifth and sixth innings to defeat the Delmarva Shorebirds (4-2) 11-4 on Tuesday night at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.  The series is tied at one game apiece.

For a second straight game, Kannapolis scored in the first inning.  Micah Johnson drew a lead off walk and stole second and third.  Then, Adam Heisler bounced out to first, allowing Johnson to score.

Once again, the Shorebirds responded in the bottom of the first.  Anthony Vega led off with a single.  With two outs, Nik Balog doubled down the left field line to put runners at second and third.  Then, Joel Hutter grounded to short and Jean Almanzar's throw to first was wide, allowing Vega to score.

Kannapolis regained the lead in the second with two runs.  Patrick Palmeiro laced a double through the alley in left-center field.  Then, Michael Johnson singled up the middle to give Kannapolis a 2-1 lead.  Later in the inning, Kale Kiser singled to score Johnson.

The Shorebirds trimmed the gap to 3-2 in the bottom of the second.  Vega reached second on a fielder's choice and throwing error by Micah Johnson.  Then, Vega scored on a bouncing ball up the middle off the bat of Anthony Caronia that took a tricky hop away from second baseman Johnson.

Kannapolis stretched the lead to 6-2 in the fifth inning.  Adam Heisler hit a lead off single and scored on a triple to right-center field by Jason Coats.  Then, Coats scored on a wild pitch by Shorebirds starter Brady Wager.  Later in the inning, Michael Marjama singled and scored on a double to deep left field by Michael Johnson.

The Intimidators extended the lead in the sixth inning.  Kale Kiser was hit by a pitch to open the inning.  He reached second on a wide pick off throw by Shorebirds reliever Juan Guzman.  Kiser later scored on a balk.  Micah Johnson singled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Coats.

The Shorebirds tacked on two runs in the seventh.  Anthony Caronia and Christian Walker hit back-to-back one out singles.  With two outs, Joel Hutter hit a hard grounder through the right side of the infield to plate Caronia.  Then, Creede Simpson blasted a line drive up the middle to trim the gap to 9-4.

Kannapolis added two runs in the eighth inning to put the game out of reach.  Coats and Marjama had RBI hits.

Shorebirds starter Brady Wager was pinned with the loss over five innings.  He allowed eight hits and six runs.

Kannapolis starter Myles Jaye earned the win over five innings.  He yielded six hits and no earned runs.

The Shorebirds and Intimidators play the series finale on Wednesday, April 10 at 7:05pm.  RHP Parker Bridwell is the scheduled starter for Delmarva.