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ROME, Ga. (May 15, 2017) - Antonio Rodriguez matched his career-high with four RBI and had a hand in all five Kannapolis runs, but it wasn't enough as the Rome Braves topped the Intimidators, 9-5, on Monday night at State Mutual Stadium. The loss snapped the Intimidators 4-game winning streak.
Trailing 7-0 after five innings, Kannapolis (19-16) answered in the top of the sixth and the first three batters - Joel Booker, Tyler Sullivan, and Mitch Roman - all singled to load the bases. Two batters later, Rodriguez belted his first of two doubles, clearing the bases and cutting the Braves lead to 7-3.
In the eighth, Micker Adolfo stepped to the plate 0-for-3 on the day with his 15-game hitting streak on the line. The White Sox prospect belted a double just out of the reach of Rome right-fielder Randy Ventura to extend his career-best hitting streak to 16 games, dating back to April 27. Adolfo is now one game shy of the longest hitting streak in the SAL this season (Hagerstown's Nick Banks, 17 games).
Rodriguez followed Adolfo's double with a ground-rule double that hopped over the wall in right-center field, driving in a run for his fourth RBI of the game. Rodriguez only other 4-RBI game came June 20, 2014, with the AZL White Sox against the AZL Mariners. Two batters later, Rodriguez scored from second base on a wild pitch to have a hand in all five Kannapolis runs.
Braves starting pitcher Ryan Lawlor (3-0) struck out a career-high nine batters over 6.0 innings to earn the win while allowing his offense to build a lead.
Rome (20-17) took its first lead of the series, scoring two runs in the home half of the third for a 2-0 lead. With two outs and Randy Ventura on first base, Marcus Mooney singled up the middle to put men on the corners. Cristian Pache followed with a double down the left field line, scoring Ventura and Mooney to put the Braves in front.
In the bottom of the fifth, Rome batted around to balloon its lead with a 5-run inning. Kannapolis committed a pair of run-scoring errors in the frame, sandwiching a Matt Gonzalez 3-run triple which helped the Braves take a 7-0 lead.
Intimidators starting pitcher Yosmer Solorzano (1-3) took the loss, allowing seven runs (six earned) on five hits over 5.0 innings. He struck out two and walked two.
The Intimidators wrap up this 4-game series against the Braves on Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m. as RHP Alec Hansen (2-3, 3.50 ERA) faces Rome's RHP Bryse Wilson (2-0, 1.72 ERA). The team returns home on Thursday, May 18, for a 7-game home stand against Hickory and Greenville. The upcoming home stand features several can't-miss promotions, including Motorsports Night on May 18 with a ticket giveaway to the big May race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. On May 19, the Intimidators are hosting Get Healthy Kannapolis. May 20 is Faith & Fireworks. May 21 is Bark in the Park in partnership with South Ridge Veterinary Hospital. Tickets are available by calling the F&M Bank Box Office at 704-932-3267 or by visiting IntimidatorsBaseball.com.
