Game Notes 5/2/15: Intimidators vs. Braves
Kannapolis Intimidators (9–12) vs. Rome Braves (9–12)
Saturday, May 2, 2015–7:05 p.m.
CMC-NorthEast Stadium — Kannapolis, N.C.
Game #22 of 140
RHP Luis Martinez (0–2, 3.29) vs. RHP Caleb Beech (0–1, 9.00)
Today’s Preview: The Intimidators (A, White Sox) look to even this series against the Rome Braves (A, Atlanta Braves) on Saturday night as Luis Martinez takes the mound on the heels of his most impressive outing of the season. The lanky right-hander will start his fourth game for Kannapolis against Rome’s Caleb Beech. The Braves lead the all-time series, 57–47, however the Intimidators have won the season-series each of the last three seasons. This 4-game set is the only series between Kannapolis and Rome during the 2015 regular season.
Today’s Promotion: Tonight’s game features postgame fireworks presented by Cabarrus Eye Center. The Intimidators are welcoming students from Stanly County Schools who are being recognized by their teachers as Reading All-Stars.
Intimidating Starter: Luis Martinez, 20, takes the mound for his fourth start of the year on the heels of a hard-luck loss in Hickory on April 26. The Venezuelan pitcher limited the Crawdads to a run on two hits while striking out four and walking one over 5.0 innings in his last start. In 2014, Martinez went 5–3 with a 2.93 ERA (19 ER/58.1 IP) with 62 strikeouts in 12 games (11 starts). He began 2014 with the AZL White Sox, making seven appearances before earning a promotion to Advanced Rookie Great Falls. In one of his final starts in the Arizona League, Martinez struck out a career-high eight batters over 6.0 scoreless innings while allowing one hit on July 23, 2014.
Rome’s Righty: Caleb Beech, who turned 22 two weeks ago today, makes his second start of the season today in his first career action against a White Sox affiliate. The Texarkana, Texas, native took a loss in his season debut on April 26 against Augusta, giving up seven runs (four earned) on seven hits over 4.0 innings. The right-hander made his professional debut last season with the GCL Braves, going 0–0 with a 14.40 ERA (8 ER/5.0 IP) in four relief appearances. The Braves selected Beech in the 13th round of the June 2014 First-Year Player Draft out of Shelton State Community College in Alabama.
Emperor of Rome: The Rome Braves are managed by Randy Ingle, who was inducted into the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame in 2014 during the All-Star break in Hickory, N.C.
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About Last Night: The Braves kept Kannapolis off the scoreboard over the first six innings on their way to a 3–1 win on Friday. Thad Lowry (3–1) matched his career-high with six strikeouts over 6.0 innings but suffered the loss despite allowing just two runs on four hits. Rome’s Sean Furney worked into the seventh inning before giving up a run. Toby Thomas doubled off Furney with two outs. Caleb Dirks took over on the mound for Rome but threw a pair of wild pitches that allowed Thomas to cross the plate for the Intimidators’ lone run. The Braves opened the scoring the fourth inning when Jordan Edgerton followed a Keith Curcio lead off walk with a double to put men in scoring position. Curcio scored on a Tanner Krietemeier groundout for a 1–0 lead. In the sixth, Curcio crossed the plate again on a Bryan De La Rose base hit to center field. The Braves took a 3–0 lead in the seventh when Curcio tripled to score Omar Obregon. Jorge Zavala tossed the scoreless ninth inning for the save (3).
Friday Night Record: The Intimidators drew 3,974 fans to CMC-NorthEast Stadium on Friday, the largest Friday night crowd in Kannapolis on record (since 2005).
.500 Franchice: Friday’s loss puts the Kannapolis baseball franchise at exactly .500 overall at 1,393 wins and 1,393 losses. The Intimidators entered this season with 1,384 and 1,381 losses. The team has not been below .500 since the team’s inaugural season in 1995.
First Impressions: Kannapolis is now 1–6 in series openers this season after dropping Friday night’s game to Rome. The team’s lone series opening win came Tuesday against Greenville.
Lowry’s Luster: Starting pitcher Thad Lowry matched his career hights with 6.0 innings of work and six strikeouts on Friday night. Lowry, the White Sox fifth round pick from the June 2013 First-Year Player Draft, has now spun 6.0 innings 12 times in his career. Each of his first four starts of the season have been quality outings (6 IP or more, 3 ER or less).
Lechich goes streaking: Outfielder Louie Lechich has hit safely in his last six games, batting .350 (7–20) in that stretch. The White Sox sixth round pick from the June 2014 First-Year Player Draft, he is now batting .328 (20–61), tied for eighth best in the SAL this season.
Guerrero’s Greatness: Jordan Guerrero leads the league with a 0.69 ERA and 0.77 WHIP while also tying for the league-lead in innings pitched (26.0), ranking tied for second in strikeouts (26), and ranking third in opponent average (.174).
Can’t Stop Curley: Chris Curley ranks second in the SAL in extra-base hits (13) and total bases (43), tied for second in RBI (19), fourth in slugging percentage (.580), and tied for fourth in home runs (5).
