Posted By Rachel Laudiero/Nurse Calli
May 14, 2007 -

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Kannapolis struck early, and its bullpen held on to defeat the Gnats 5-1 Sunday.  Ricky Brooks (2-3) went 6.0 innings and earned the win for the Intimidators while Greg Mullens (2-1) suffered his first loss of the season, giving up four runs in 6.2 innings.

Kannapolis put up three runs on Mullens in the second inning.  He plunked the first batter of the inning, Archie Gilbert, then surrendered a triple to Lee Cruz and a double to Mike Grace.  Two batters later, John Shelby delivered an RBI single to score Grace.

The Gnats battled back in the bottom half of the third when Juan Lagares delivered a two-out double.  Greg Veloz then drew a walk, and Joe Holden singled home Lagares.  Veloz was thrown out at third on the play as he ran through a stop sign by manager Tim Teufel.  That ended the rally and the inning.

The Gnats did not have another base runner until the sixth inning as they recorded just two hits from the third inning on.  The 2-through-6 hitters in the Gnats lineup went a combined 0-for-17 on the day.  Three Kannapolis relievers pitched an inning each as they combined to allow just one hit in 3.0 scoreless innings and struck out four.

Meanwhile, the Intimidators manufactured an insurance run in the sixth and another in the eighth.  Both runs were unearned due to errors by Daniel Stegall, Francisco Pena and Juan Lagares.

Monday the Gnats and Kannapolis will face off in a doubleheader composed of two seven-inning games.  The first game is scheduled to start at 5:05 p.m.  Monday is Love 101.1 Motown Monday at the ballpark featuring $2 tickets, $2 Cokes, $2 beers, $2 hot dogs and Motown trivia with Gary Young from Love 101.1.  For tickets and a complete schedule, call 912-351-9150 or visit www.sandgnats.com.