In his third start with the Kannapolis Intimidators, LHP Drew Harrington (W, 5-4) threw a seven-inning gem, striking out seven batters along the way to a 2-1 Intimidators win against Greensboro Thursday night at First National Bank Field.Despite both teams getting a plethora of runners on through the first few
In his third start with the Kannapolis Intimidators, LHP Drew Harrington (W, 5-4) threw a seven-inning gem, striking out seven batters along the way to a 2-1 Intimidators win against Greensboro Thursday night at First National Bank Field.
Despite both teams getting a plethora of runners on through the first few innings, Kannapolis proved to be the first team to break the scoring seal, as Anthony Villa drew a six-pitch walk with two outs against Trevor Rogers (L, 0-4). On the sixth pitch of his at-bat, Tyler Frost singled on a groundball to right field, backed by a Carlos Perez line drive single up the middle that scored Villa to give the I's a 1-0 lead.
Through the first four innings, Harrington struck out six batters, including three in the first inning, while scattering four hits on just 78 pitches (54 strikes).
After the fourth inning, each team sent the minimum to the plate all the way up until the ninth inning, as Tate Blackman led off the frame with a seven-pitch walk. One batter later and on the first pitch, Michael Hickman singled to right field, allowing Blackman to go first-to-third on the single. Next up, Villa smacked the second pitch of his at-bat up the middle, bringing in Blackman while increasing the lead to two runs, 2-0.
In the bottom of the ninth, Will Allen hit a solo-shot off Will Kincanon to right field, bringing the 'Hoppers within one run, 2-1. After a single, wild pitch and walk, all issued by Kincanon, manager Justin Jirschele looked to Jose Nin (S, 4) to close the deal against Greensboro.
So, with two on (first and third base) and only one out, Nin induced back-to-back groundballs to shortstop Luis Curbelo, as Curbelo charged and fired from the hip to first base to get Michael Hernandez out but less than a step to end the threat and game with two runners on.
Kannapolis will send RHP Jhoan Quijada to the mound against Greensboro's LHP Scott Sebald in Friday night's rubber match starting at 7:00 p.m. at First National Bank Field.
