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GREENSBORO, N.C. (May 25, 2017) - Seby Zavala hit a go-ahead home run in the top of the 10th inning, but the Grasshopper rallied to edge the Intimidators, 9-8, in 10 innings on Thursday at First National Bank Field. Kannapolis (24-21) blasted a season-high four home runs at the hitter-friendly ballpark.
Zavala led off the top of the 10th with a bomb to left field, his team-leading eighth home run (8) for an 8-7 lead. Greensboro (26-20) plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the 10th off Ben Wright, who walked two batters and allowed back-to-back hits. Mason Davis' pinch-hit RBI-single tied the game, and Luis Pintos clinched the walk-off win with a base hit against a drawn-in infield. L.J. Brewster (4-2) earned the win while Wright (1-3) suffered the loss.
Trailing 7-5 going into the seventh, Kannapolis took advantage of Greensboro miscues to tie the game. With one out, Joel Booker legged out an infield single and Jameson Fisher dropped a base hit into shallow left-center field between three Greensboro fielders. One batter later, Mitch Roman singled to left field where Boo Vasquez misplayed the ball, allowing both Booker and Fisher to score, tying the game, 7-7.
The Intimidators built a 4-0 lead in the top of the second as both Antonio Rodriguez and Booker connected on their first home runs of the season to chase Grasshoppers starting pitcher Braxton Garrett from the game. Greensboro wasted little time in returning fire with a 5-run home half of the second inning. The Hoppers sent eight men to the plate, connecting on five hits including a 2-run double by Justin Twice to start the rally. Aaron Knapp added a sac-fly to score Twine, and Corey Bird and James Nelson each hit in runs to pull Greensboro ahead, 5-4.
Trailing 6-4 in the top of the sixth, Zach Remillard pulled the Intimidators within a run with a solo home run (2) off reliever Ryley MacEachern. The Grasshoppers got the run back in the bottom the inning when Bird's sac-fly cashed Twine for a 7-5 lead.
Intimidators starting pitcher Chris Comito took no decision, working 3.0 innings and allowing six runs on seven hits while striking out one and walking none. Danny Dopico spun 2 and 1/3 scoreless relief innings, striking out three. Closer Mike Morrison worked a career-long 3 and 2/3 innings of scoreless, hitless relief. The All-Star-calibur reliever struck out one and walked none.
Garrett lasted only 1 and 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits including a pair of home runs. He struck out four and walked none. Sam Perez bridged the middle innings for Greensboro, tossing 3 and 1/3 scoreless frames with four strikeouts. MacEachern gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits over 2.0 relief innings before giving way to Chad Smith, who tossed a scoreless eighth and ninth.
Kannapolis hits the road on Thursday to open a week of commuting to games at Greensboro and Hickory. The Intimidators face the Grasshoppers on Thursday at First National Bank Park at 7:00 p.m. RHP Chris Comito (0-0, 5.65 ERA) will toe the rubber for Kannapolis on Thursday against Greensboro's LHP Braxton Garrett (1-0 0.66 ERA). The Intimidators return to Kannapolis for a 4-game home stand June 1-4 against the Grasshoppers. Tickets are available by calling the F&M Bank Box Office at 704-932-3267 or by visiting IntimidatorsBaseball.com.
