Kannapolis Intimidators Slip Past the Rallying Lakewood BlueClaws in 3-2 Win

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com – LAKEWOOD, N.J. - The BlueClaws nearly erased a ninth inning deficit for the second time against Kannapolis, but came up just short in a 3-2 loss to the Intimidators on Friday night at FirstEnergy Park.

Dennis Winn came up with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth, but bounced into a game-ending double play. Henry Mabee kept his perfect mark intact, recording his sixth save in his sixth opportunity, helping Kannapolis to series split.

Logan Johnson drove in the winning run via a solo home run off of Joe Rocchio (1-3) in the top of the seventh. Johnson's fourth home run of the year broke a 2-2 tie.

Rocchio was perfect except for Johnson's home run. He retired nine of the ten hitters he faced, with Johnson being the lone exception.

The BlueClaws managed a pair of runs against Anthony Carter, one of the top pitchers in the South Atlantic League. Joel Naughton doubled home a pair of runs with a two-out hit in the bottom of the second. Both the runs were unearned against Carter thanks to an error by Kannapolis second baseman Dale Mollenhauer.

But Naughton's hit was the only the BlueClaws had with runners in scoring position, as Carter rebounded to pitch three more scoreless innings. The right- hander has not allowed more than two runs in any of his six starts this season.

As has been the case many times this season, the BlueClaws were one big hit away from coming out on top. The 'Claws stranded at least one runner in scoring position in each of the last four innings.

Mike Durant nearly tied the game up in the bottom of the eighth, crushing a ball off of reliever Steve Spurgeon that dropped just foul down the leftfield line. Durant ended up walking before being stranded at second.

Despite the strong start, Carter took a no-decision as the Intimidators (13-14) tallied just two runs against BlueClaws starter Jacob Diekman. Diekman had his second consecutive strong start, allowing two runs in six innings. He also walked three and struck out four.

The BlueClaws are still winless in games started by Diekman this season.

Santo Luis (2-1) took the win by pitching two innings in relief. He allowed two hits and also struck out two. The win helped to make up for the blown save and loss that Luis took in Tuesday's 5-4 Lakewood win.

The BlueClaws (13-15) will welcome Lexington (9-19) to FirstEnergy Park for a four game series starting at 4:05 p.m. on Saturday. Chance Chapman (1-2, 1.77) will square off against Sergio Severino (2-1, 1.50). The same two pitchers met in Lexington on Sunday and the result was a 1-0 Legends victory.

Saturday will also be the annual Bark in the Park at FirstEnergy Park. Festivities start at 1:00 and gates will open at 3:00. Fans can bring their dogs to the ballpark with a BluePaw pass, which is available at the game before the game.

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