Game Notes 7/24/15: Intimidators at Grasshoppers
Kannapolis Intimidators (15–12, 50–46) at Greensboro Grasshoppers (7–20, 36–60)
Friday, July 24, 2015–7:00 p.m.
NewBridge Bank Park — Greensboro, N.C.
Game #97 of 139
RHP Zach Thompson (3–4, 3.62) vs. RHP Jorgan Cavanerio (1–4, 4.61)
Today’s Preview: The Intimidators (A, White Sox) can sweep this three-game series against the Grasshoppers (A, Marlins) with a win in Friday’s series finale in Greensboro. Kannapolis has won seven consecutive road series, including this series by winning the first two games over the Hoppers. Zach Thompson will take the mound for the Intimidators, who have won all four of the games they’ve played at NewBridge Bank Park in 2015. Thompson will duel Jorgan Cavanerio in a rematch of June 20’s pitching match-up. Kannapolis has won its last three games and five of its last six while Greensboro has lost eight of its last 10 games including four straight.
Intimidating Starter: Zach Thompson, 21, makes his eighth start of the year and second against Greensboro. He is coming off a career-high-tying 6.0 scoreless innings of one-hit ball on July 18 in a win over Hagerstown. In his lone start at Greensboro on June 20, he worked 5.0 scoreless frames to lead Kannapolis to a shutout win. Thompson is 1–3 with a 4.42 ERA (9 ER/18.1 IP) in four starts in the second half after starting 2–1 with a 2.57 ERA before the break. The 6’7”, 215-pound right-hander joined Kannapolis on June 3 from Extended Spring Training. He made his pro debut in 2014 with Advanced Rookie Great Falls, going 2–3 with a 3.27 ERA (16 ER/44.0 IP) in 11 games (11 starts). The White Sox selected him in the fifth round of the June 2014 First-Year Player Draft out of UT-Arlington. Thompson graduated from Grace Preparatory Academy in Arlington, Texas. His brother, Matt, pitched in the Rangers organization from 2008–12.
Hoppers Hurler: Jorgan Cavanerio, 20, makes his 11th start of the season and second against the Intimidators. He lost to Kannapolis on June 20, giving up four runs on six hits in 6.0 innings with six strikeouts and a walk. He is coming off 6.0 scoreless innings in a win at Delmarva on July 18, striking out seven and walking none while working around six hits. The right-hander struck out a career-high 10 batters in 6.0 innings on June 14 against Lexington. After starting the first half 0–3 with a 3.77 ERA in eight starts, he is 1–1 with a 8.38 ERA (9 ER/9.2 IP) in two starts since.
About Last Night: Kannapolis outlasted the Grasshoppers in 15 innings for a 7–5 win Thursday. The game featured five home runs, including a go-ahead two-run blast by Alexander Simon (2) and a game-tying two-run home run from John Ziznewski (2). With the game tied 5–5 after eight innings, the Intimidators eventually broke through in the 15th when Mason Robbins singled, and Simon drove him in. Brett Austin added a base hit to cash Simon for the two-run lead. Jacob Morris tossed 3.0 scoreless, hitless innings for the win, and Brad Salgado earned the save (4).
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Simon Says: Alexander Simon matched his career-high with four RBI Thursday, going 3–7 with two runs scored. He blasted his second home run of the year (11th career) in the first. Simon last drove in four runs on June 25 against Asheville. He now has 26 RBI in 39 games with the I’s.
A Bullish Pen: The Kannapolis bullpen combined to work 9.0 innings Thursday, allowing one run on four hits with eight strikeouts and two walks. Jose Brito gave up a run over 2.0 innings in the seventh and eighth. David Trexler tossed 3.0 scoreless innings to get Kannapolis through the 11th, striking out three. Jacob Morris matched his career-high with 3.0 scoreless, hitless innings to earn the win, and Brad Salgado worked around two hits in a scoreless 15th for the save (4).
More J-Mo: Jacob Morris matched his career-high with 3.0 scoreless innings, equaling an effort from July 9 at Charleston. He ranks second among SAL relievers in average (.157). Morris has not allowed a run in his last 11.0 innings, spanning five outings. He has allowed no runs in 13 of his last 15 relief appearances. Morris is now 1–0 with a 1.84 ERA in seven Second Half games.
Wring ’Em Up: Kannapolis pitchers struck out a season-high 15 batters on Thursday, including a career-high seven strikeouts from starting pitcher Yency Almonte. Kannapolis surpassed its previous team-high of 12 strikeouts, accomplished five times (last: June 5 against Delmarva).
Going Long: The Intimidators played their longest game of the season on Thursday, taking four hours, 39 minutes to beat the Grasshoppers in 15 innings. The team’s previous long game for innings and time came April 10 in Lakewood, a 12-inning game lasting three hours, 50 minutes.
JZ’s Hits: Third baseman John Ziznewski launched his second career home run on Thursday, a two-run blast to tie the game in the sixth inning. His first career home run came within the last week, a grand slam on July 16 against Hagerstown. Ziznewski and Alexander Simon each hit home runs, giving Kannapolis its fifth multi-home run game in 2015 (last: June 5 at Delmarva).
Broadcast Information: This season, all 140 games will be broadcast live on the Kannapolis Intimidators Baseball Network at IntimidatorsBaseball.com and via TuneIn Radio App with the Josh Feldman, in his fifth season as the “Voice of the Intimidators,” and Nick Nollenberger, in his first year with the team.
