Mother Nature assists Drive to sweep

Valerio works complete game in rain-shortened contest

Kelvis Valerio spun five innings before rain ended the Intimidators game against the Drive on July 14, 2017, at Greenville. (photo by Brian Westerholt/Four Seam Images)

By Josh Feldman

July 14, 2017

GREENVILLE, S.C. (July 14, 2017) - Rain cut short Friday night's game in Greenville, providing an early end to the Drive's 2-0 win in five innings over the Intimidators to secure a series sweep at Fluor Field. Kannapolis (8-14 Second Half, 47-43) dropped its fourth straight game while enduring its third series sweep of 2017.
Greenville scored runs in the first and second innings for the game's only offense. In the first, Lorenzo Cedrola scored on a Roldani Baldwin sac-fly for a 1-0 lead, and Steven Reveles singled to drive in Mitchell Gonsolus one inning later.
Drive starter Bryan Mata (3-1) earned the win with 5.0 scoreless innings for a complete game shutout. He allowed two hits and two walks while striking out four. Kelvis Valerio (2-1) took his first loss with the Intimidators, giving up two runs on six hits while striking out one over 5.0 innings.
The game entered a 37-minute rain delay before beginning the top of the sixth inning before being eventually called.
The Intimidators open a 3-game series against the Columbia Fireflies on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at Spirit Communications Park. Kannapolis is slated to send RHP Yelmison Peralta (0-2, 7.50 ERA) to the mound to face Columbia's RHP Gabriel Llanes (4-6, 3.24 ERA). The team returns to Kannapolis on July 19 for a 7-game home stand that features Star Wars Night with post-game fireworks on Saturday, July 22. Tickets are available by calling the F&M Bank Box Office at 704-932-3267 or by visiting IntimidatorsBaseball.com.