KANNAPOLIS SCORES THREE IN NINTH TO WIN GAME TWO, 5-2

‘Birds Fall to 30-35 at Perdue Stadium

Salisbury, Md. – The Kannapolis Intimidators broke a 2-2 tie in the ninth inning with three runs to defeat the Delmarva Shorebirds, 5-2, at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Shorebirds jumped in front in the second inning. Omar Casamayor reached base on a fielder’s choice grounder to third. Two batters later, Gary Helmick yanked a double to left field. The shortstop, Tyler Saladino, threw low and wide to second to try and nail Helmick, allowing Casamayor to turn third and score.

Kannapolis erased the deficit in the fourth inning. Jake Oester opened the frame with a triple. The next batter, Saladino, grounded out to short to plate Oester.

The Intimidators grabbed the lead for the first time in the sixth inning. After two outs were recorded by relief pitcher Brian Parker, Trayce Thompson doubled to right field. Then, Jordan Cheatham doubled to right-center field to give Kannapolis a 2-1 edge.

The lead was short-lived as the ‘Birds tied the score in the bottom of the sixth. T.J. Baxter reached on a bunt hit. He moved to second on a throwing error by pitcher Kevin Moran. Later in the inning, Austin Rauch singled into shallow right to plate Baxter.

The game remained tied until the ninth inning. Cheatham got the rally going with a single. He stole second and Miguel Gonzalez following with a walk. With two aboard, John Spatola hit his second triple to right-center field to plate both runners. Spatola came into score on a wild pitch by reliever Clayton Schrader.

Matt Hobgood pitched five innings, his longest outing since June 11, and settled for a no decision. He allowed five hits and one run. The right-hander struck out two and walked one.

Brian Parker tossed three innings and surrendered just two hits and one run.

Orioles 10th round selection Clayton Schrader was tagged with the loss in his debut. He gave up the three runs in the ninth inning. Schrader fanned two batters.

Kevin Moran earned the win for Kannapolis while Orlando Santos picked up his 15th save of the season.

The Shorebirds and Intimidators play game three of the series on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m.