Despite out-hitting the Columbia Fireflies for the third straight game, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers fell 4-2 as the pitching couldn’t keep runners off the base paths.
Solesky’s Standout Start
A fourth outing for Chase Solesky was a solid one. Despite starting the game off with two walks, the 23 year old settled in and worked quickly through the first and second innings, hurling a total of 25 efficient pitches.
One thing that was working for the Tulane product was his ability to attack up in the zone with his fastball. Three of his five strikeouts on the day were in the upper part of the strike zone. He was able to attack up with his low-90mph fastball and kept hitters guessing by mixing his slider and curveball in effectively.
This was Solesky’s strongest performance on the year, going four strong innings and allowing only one hit, striking out five, walking four, and keeping Columbia off the scoreboard. This was the righty’s first game at the Low-A level without giving up a run.
With the starting pitching keeping the Fireflies in check across the first four innings, Kannapolis was able to take advantage of Columbia starter Matt Stil.
A Quick Burst of Runs
Following a quiet first inning, the Cannon Baller bats brought some run support for Solesky. Hot-hitting Benyamin Bailey kicked off the frame by knocking a single, which extended his hitting streak to five games.
The White Sox top-20 prospect got another base hit later in the game during a homestand that treated him very well. Across the six-game stretch, Bailey went a solid 8-for-24, with a run, an RBI, and five strikeouts.
He was backed up by a Victor Torres double and a Sam Abbott groundout that scored Bailey to put Kannapolis out front 1-0. Johnabiell Laureano brought home another run on a single to right.
Getting out front in the early innings — something that has troubled the Cannon Ballers to start the year — put the team in a strong position to contend for their third win on the season. Unfortunately, the bullpen couldn’t hold on.
The Bullpen
Taking over from Solesky in the fifth inning was Martin Carrasco, who looked to improve upon his 10.61 ERA. Carrassco started his outing surrendering a double and single that scored Columbia’s first run.
In the sixth, Carrasco came out and dealt one of his best innings of the year. Aside from allowing a single, he struck out two and looked to be in command of all his pitches.
After striking out the Fireflies’ Matthew Schmidt to end the inning, Carrasco immediately doubled over in pain, favoring his right arm. He had to leave the game and we will have to wait to see how severe the injury is.
Coming in to pitch the seventh was lefty Garvin Alston. The inning didn’t treat the White Sox 2019-draftee very well as he gave up two runs on four walks, a fielders choice and a sac bunt. The inning was Alston’s only one and, despite giving up the two runs, his ERA improved to 10.29 across seven innings this season.
Another lefty, Trey Jeans, came out to pitch the final two frames and allowed one run. Aside from the run, Jeans’ outing proved to be strong as he struck out three, allowed a hit and a walk.
Striking Out on Sunday
With the bullpen blowing the lead behind Solesky’s start, the bats tried to claw back, but couldn’t late as the strikeouts surmounted for the Cannon Ballers. The home team accounted for 15 combined strikeouts. With that tally, Kannapolis leads the Low-A East 246 strikeouts, which is 20 more than the next worst team of the Fayetteville Woodpeckers.
Two players who accounted for almost half of the team’s strikeouts were James Beard and Lency Delgado. The duo had their strikeouts come at costly times in the game, leaving a combined 11 runners on base and in scoring position in the 2nd, 4th, and 8th innings.
Looking Ahead
The Cannon Ballers are heading on the road for a two week, 12-game stretch that starts against the Carolina Mudcats and ends with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, who are the two teams above Kannapolis in the Low-A East Central Division.
Photo credit: Michael Guariglia/FutureSox
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