Lehigh Valley 3, Charlotte 1
Starter Kyle Drabek was cruising along until the 5th inning where he could not avoid the big inning, giving up three runs during that frame. Drabek entered the 5th inning on an incredible streak of stellar pitching, having allowed just seven hits and two runs over his last 21 innings. Despite allowing three runs, Drabek still has a 2.32 ERA on the season and has only allowed 19 hits over his 31 innings of work. Reliever Daniel Webb came on and worked two scoreless innings, but the Knights offense could only muster one run of support. Trayce Thompson went 1-4 and Matt Davidson went 0-3 with a walk and two strikeouts. Second baseman Micah Johnson did not play due to an sprained ankle he has been nursing since May 16th.
Biloxi 5, Birmingham 4 (12 innings)
The Barons staged a furious 9th inning rally to make up a 4-0 decifit, highlighted by a Adrian Nieto solo home run and a Courtney Hawkins three run blast. Starting pitcher Tony Bucciferro labored through five innings, giving up four runs on nine hits and four walks. However, the Barons bullpen was solid as Kyle Hansen and J.B. Wendelken combined to pitch six scoreless innings, striking out four batter a piece and allowing no hits. Shortstop Tim Anderson and center fielder Jacob May each went 1-5 with a walk, but it was not enough as the Barons were victims of a walk-off hit in the 12th inning.
Winston-Salem 2. Wilmington 0
It’s all the family in Winston-Salem as brothers Robinson and Euclides Leyer combined to blank the Wilmington Blue Rocks over seven innings Thursday. Starter Robinson Leyer dominated in his six scoreless innings, only allowing three hits and one walk while striking out six batters. Robinson Leyer was then relieved by his older brother, Euclides Leyer, who proceeded to protect his brothers lead by pitching a scoreless 7th inning. Peter Tago then pitched a scoreless 8th and 9th to preserve the shutout and the win for the Dash. Trey Michalczewski and Cleuluis Rondon went 1-4 and Omar Narvaez went 1-3 with a walk to scrap out enough runs to take the game.
Kannapolis 2, Hickory 0 (Game 1, 7 innings)
Kannapolis 2, Hickory 0 (Game 2, 7 innings)
It was a Hickory Crawdad boil as the Intimidators swept the double-header by an identical 2-0 score on Thursday. The Crawdads and Intimidators were making up a April 19th rainout.
In game 1, top pitching prospect Spencer Adams had his best start of the year, throwing five scoreless innings, striking out four and only allowing five hits and one walk. Closer Matt Cooper came on and threw two scoreless innings to seal the victory. The 23 year-old Cooper may be in line for a promotion, as he has not been scored upon in his 8.1 innings of work, only allowing one hit over those innings with 11 punchouts. Eddy Alvarez led the offense as he went 3-3 with a double.
Game 2 was more of the same with a different cast of heroes, as starter Yancy Almonte pitched six scoreless innings, striking out four while only allowing three hits and one walk. Reliever Jefferson Olacio pitched a scoreless 7th in his first appearance for the Intimidators since being re-assigned from Extended Spring Training. Center fielder Louie Lechich hit a two run single and outfielder Michael Danner went 2-2 with two doubles to give Kannapolis enough offense for the victory.
Want to know right away when we publish a new article? Type your email address in the box and click the “create subscription” button. Our list is completely spam free, and you can opt out at any time.