Santos' 2 homers intimidates Kannapolis

GREENSBORO, N.C. (May 21, 2018) -- Jhonny Santos blasted two home runs to power the Grasshoppers past the Kannapolis Intimidators, 5-3, on Monday at First National Bank Field. The game started late, following an hour, 26-minute rain delay.
In the bottom of the second, Santos launched a one-out home run to left-center field. The Intimidators leapfrogged the Grasshoppers in the top of the third on a Craig Dedelow 2-run home run (3).  
Greensboro (19-21) reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fourth on Santos' second home run (3) of the game. Cameron Baranek led off the inning with a base hit, which was misplayed by Kannapolis center fielder Tyler Frost, allowing Baranek to reach second base. Lazaro Alonso knocked a base hit to left field to tie the game, 2-2, and Santos followed with a 2-run blast for a 4-2 lead.  
In the fifth, Kannapolis got a run back when Laz Rivera homered (5) to the top of the berm in left field, but Greensboro manufactured a run of its own in the home half of the frame. Thomas Jones reached base on an Intimidators error and went first-to-third on an Jose Devers base hit. Baranek followed with a sacrifice fly for a 5-3 lead.  
Hoppers reliever Nestor Bautista (1-0) earned the win, working 3 and 2/3 innings and striking out four. The right-hander worked around a run on two hits in relief of starter Ryan Lillie, who worked the first 3.0 frames. Intimidators starter Lincoln Henzman (3-3) took the loss, giving up five runs (four earned) on seven hits while striking out three and walking none. Michael Mertz spun the final 2 and 1/3 innings for the save (2). 
The Grasshoppers and Intimidators play Game 2 of this 4-game series on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday's game is Bark in the Park presented by All Pets Considered, and tickets are available online at gsohoppers.com.