CEENTA Sights & Sounds of the Week (Aug. 17)
From an Olympian joining the team to a catcher’s triple, and from a game-ending double play to a twin-killing off a ricochet, the Intimidators have seen (and done) a little bit of everything in the past week. In this highlight-heavy edition of Sights & Sounds of the Week, presented by Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates, we jump into those highlights and game recaps as the Intimidators enter the home stretch of the 2014 season.
A Look at the Olympian
As described in a blog post on Monday, the Intimidators made a roster move at the beginning of the week that seemed as if the newsworthiness would be in the promotion of the player going up, not in whom Kannapolis was receiving as the corresponding move. That was until we realized that replacing Trey Michalczewski was Olympian Eddy Alvarez. The folks at MiLB have done a great job detailing the journey Alvarez has taken from baseball to speed-skating and back to baseball.
On Tuesday, Alvarez made his Class A debut with Kannapolis, coming through with this game-tying base hit in the Intimidators’ eventual 5–1 win over Lexington.
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At the plate, it’s been a great debut week for Alvarez, who hit .474 (9–19) in his first five games since his promotion from the Arizona White Sox. And while defensively he still needs a little work to catch up to the other middle-infielders on the Intimidators roster, you can see the makings of something special. After that game-tying base-hit on Tuesday, Alvarez was involved in turning the game-ending double-play for secure the Intimidators’ win.
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As I said, not a bad debut for Alvarez. Also, he says his folks may make a trip up to Kannapolis, and if they do, we may get a chance to see that silver medal (he keeps it at home with them, reportedly in his sock drawer according to an interview he did with Joe Habina of The Observer and Cabarrus News).
JEREMY DOWDY TRIPLE HEADLINE
Now turning our attention from a guy who is fast enough to medal in the Olympics to a man whose speed is deceptive (read: he’s faster than you think … I guess). Catcher Jeremy Dowdy tripled on Monday during a 4-run 8th inning against Lexington to break open the game. Here’s the highlight:
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Afterwards, Dowdy made sure to let us know — via Twitter — that catchers are faster than we might think.
Fast-forward to Saturday, and Dowdy scored from first base on a hit-and-run where Toby Thomas doubled over the left-fielder’s head in Greensboro.
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A Wheeler and a Dealer
Speaking of Saturday’s game in Greensboro, starting pitcher Andre Wheeler ran his scoreless innings streak to 17 with his third straight start of 5.0 shutout frames on his way to a second straight win. The left-hander has not allowed a run (earned or otherwise) since July 25 in Hagerstown. On Saturday, he faced the minimum through three innings (thanks to a couple double-play balls) and eventually worked five frames before calling it an evening and letting the bullpen complete the shutout victory.
Highlight of Wheeler’s outing to come — still being processed by MiLB
Also still to come, the highlight of Christian Stringer turning a double-play off a deflection from shortstop Ryan Leonards. Check back later today. You won’t want to miss this!
Hammering Hayes
True the Intimidators now have an outfielder named Chevy, but Danny Hayes is the one that’s been “like a rock” for Kannapolis in 2014. The first baseman is batting a team-best .292 through Saturday’s game despite a slow start to the series. In fact, Hayes was 0-for-10 in Greensboro before dipping his toes in the water with an 8th inning single. Then in the 9th, Hayes provided a cannon ball into the middle of the pool, washing away the Grasshoppers with a bases-clearing double.
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That’s this week’s highlight wrap up with the CEENTA Sights & Sounds of the Week. Thanks for viewing & listening.
-JF
@BigTexJosh
