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Four-run first inning lifts Greensboro over Kannapolis

June 15, 2018

On a night where the Kannapolis Intimidators honored the large Hispanic population in the area by playing as Los Rapidos de Kannapolis, the Greensboro Grasshoppers spoiled the night, scoring four runs in the first inning, helping ease their way to a 7-1 victory Friday night at Intimidators Stadium supported by

On a night where the Kannapolis Intimidators honored the large Hispanic population in the area by playing as Los Rapidos de Kannapolis, the Greensboro Grasshoppers spoiled the night, scoring four runs in the first inning, helping ease their way to a 7-1 victory Friday night at Intimidators Stadium supported by Atrium Health.
With Parker Rigler (L, 3-3) on the mound for Kannapolis (39-26), the southpaw gave up back-to-back singles to Jose Devers and Jhonny Santos with one out, as Isael Soto grounded out to first base to bring in Devers. One batter later, J.C. Millan scored Santos with a sharp ground ball into left field, giving Greensboro a 2-0 lead.
Two batters later, Marcos Rivera and Michael Hernandez both reached to bring in a pair of runs, extending the 'Hoppers lead to four, 4-0.
In the bottom of the first, Luis Robert beat out an infield single to short, as Laz Rivera followed with a single to left field that was deflected by third baseman Rivera, sending Robert to third base. Next up, Craig Dedelow drove the first pitch of his at-bat off Greensboro's Edward Cabrera (W, 3-6) to right field, cutting the lead to three, 4-1.
After tagging on runs on in the third, sixth and seventh innings, Greensboro found themselves with a 7-1 lead heading into the ninth inning. In the bottom half of the inning, Evan Skoug struck out on a check swing for the second out of the inning, followed by a walk from Tyler Frost . Still not over the call made by the infield umpire with the left-handed batter at the plate, manager Justin Jirschele got ejected for the first time this season. While the ejection was taken place, the Intimidators also found out that the Lakewood BlueClaws lost 4-3 to the Hickory Crawdads, keeping the lead in the Northen Division to one full game for the Intimidators.
Kannapolis will look to right the ship tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. against the Greensboro Grasshoppers as RHP Yosmer Solorzano (1-2, 4.45 ERA) will start for the I's against RHP Ryan Lillie (5-1, 2.47 ERA).