Kannapolis Sweeps Lakewood In Impressive Fashion

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Sunday April 10, 2011
Posted: 6:50 p.m.
WHITE SOXKannapolis A
The Intimidators swept a doubleheader at Lakewood Sunday, taking a marathon before winning a sprint. Kannapolis won the opener, 2-0, in 16 innings before taking the conventional seven-inning nightcap, 4-1.

Michael Blankes one-out, two-run homer in the top of the 16th was the difference but only part of the story. Jacob Petricka, the clubs second-round pick in 2010 out of Indiana State, made his first South Atlantic League start and tossed six no-hit innings, striking out a career-high nine. Petricka appeared in nine games for Kannapolis last year but all were in relief.

Addison Reed allowed a two-out hit to Domingo Santana in the seventh but the Claws would manage only two more over the next eight innings before Blankes bomb decided it. Four relievers followed Reed with Steven Upchurch pitching the final 1 13 innings for the win. Blanke was one of three players to collect two hits.

Lakewood managed only four hits in the nightcap as Spencer Arroyo earned the win with a strong five-inning effort. Miguel Negron went the final two innings for the save.

The Intimidators scored three fifth-inning runs to snap a 1-1 tie. Brady Shoemakers two-run triple was the big blow after Jeremy Barnes throwing error from third base prolonged the inning and let in a run.
Charlotte AAA
The Knights swept a doubleheader from Norfolk on Sunday, taking both games by a 2-1 count behind a pair of spectacular pitching efforts. It marks the first time in franchise history that Charlotte has started the season at 4-0. The Knights are the only team in the Division to come out of opening weekend undefeated.

Freddy Dolsi earned the win in the opener, allowing only a first-inning a run on four hits. He went six innings before Brian Bruney came on to earn his second save of the season with a perfect seventh inning.

The Knights managed only four hits as well, but one of them was a Tyler Flowers two-run homer in the bottom of the first.

Pete Whisler got the nod in the nightcap and was no less effective, allowing two hits over five shutout innings. The Tides once again managed only four hits with the deciding blow being Alejandro De Azas solo homer in the third. He finished with two hits and two runs scored.
Winston-Salem A
Jared Mitchell cooled off but Jose Martinez remained hot, helping to lead Winston-Salem to a 4-2 victory over Kinston at Historic Grainger Stadium.

Mitchell, the Sox former top pick, had been blistering through the seasons first two games but went hitless in five at-bats, striking out four times on Sunday. Martinez, however, went 2-for-4, including a double, while driving in a run. He hit .615 in the season-opening series, which the Dash won. Ian Gac also contributed with a two-run homer that sparked a three-run sixth-inning. He is 2-for-12 this season with both hits being longballs.

Hecor Santiago started but didnt factor in the decision after allowing a run and striking out seven in four innings. Ryan Kussmaul picked up the win despite allowing a run over his two innings. Tyson Corley earned the save with two scoreless innings.
Birmingham AA
The Barons suffered their first loss of the season, dropping a 4-3 decision at Montgomery. Kyle Cofield suffered the loss. Brandon Short drove in a pair for Birmingham.
CUBSPeoria A
The Chiefs blasted a trio of homers, including a three-run shot by the red-hit Greg Rohan, to romp by Cedar Rapids Sunday afternoon at OBrien Field.

Rohan, who has hit safely in three games, had a pair of hits, including the homer, and is hitting .429. Hes served as a catalyst in the middle of the batting order. Rubi Silva and Richard Jones also went deep as the Chiefs used a five-run fifth inning to blast by the Kernels. A throwing error by Kernals third baseman Jesus Campos fueled the fifth inning after Silvas one-out homer. The homer was Silvas first of his career.

Jeff Antigua 1-0 earned the win in relief of Cam Greathouse, who allowed four runs in 4 13 innings. Antigua allowed two runs on three hits in 2 23 innings.The first road game of the season will be played on Monday at Burlington at 6:30 p.m. Graham Hicks will start for Peoria while Jacob Brown starts for the Bees.
Iowa AAA
Tony Campanas four-hit effort paced Iowa on Sunday afternoon as they bested Round Rock at the Dell Diamond, 8-6, to take three of the four games in the opening series. The I-Cubs collected at least 15 hits for the third time in the series.

Campana scored twice and drove in a run and is hitting .467. He was at the heart of almost every Iowa rally, closing out the scoring with a run-scoring double in the eighth. Lou Montanez had three hits and drove in four runs and is batting .500.

Justin Berg earned the victory in relief.Right-hander Ramon Ortiz was added to the roster and will start Monday at Albuquerque. The 37-year-old Ortiz made 16 appearances (eight starts) with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season and also made stops with triple-A Buffalo in the New York Mets system and triple-A Durham in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. He was 3-5 with a 5.31 ERA in 28 games (14 starts) between the stops.
Tennessee AA
Brett Jacksons seventh-inning grand slam powered Tennessee to an 8-5 victory Sunday afternoon at Chattanooga.

The Smokies had trailed 5-2 heading into the seventh before Jackson, who finished with two hits and two runs scored, gave them a lead they would not relinquish. Tennessee tacked on runs in the eighth and ninth innings to end any doubt as to the games outcome. DJ LeMahieu added three hits.

Trey McNutt started and pitched 2 23 hitless innings for the Smokies but left after facing only 10 batters. Despite giving up three runs in his only inning, Ryan Buchter earned the victory.
Daytona A
The Cubs rallied from a five-run, first-inning deficit to defeat Brevard County, 11-7, at Space Coast Stadium and remain undefeated in the Florida State League action.

Kevin Czerwinski can be reached at ktczerwinski@gmail.com.

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