Kannapolis 2, Sand Gnats 0

Sand Gnats starter Chris Schwinden turned in another quality outing for the Savannah pitching staff but it wasn’t enough as the offense went dormant in Kannapolis’, 2-0, win over the Gnats in front of 1,841 spectators at Grayson Stadium. It’s the first time this year that Schwinden (6-5) worked eight innings but he suffers his fifth loss of the season. The Intimidators used two one-run innings and a quality start from their starter Dexter Carter (5-2) to best the Sand Gnats Thursday evening. Carter, the league-leader in strikeouts, fanned nine Savannah batters and faced the minimum required through the first five innings with some help from his defense before allowing back-to-back singles in the sixth. He allowed just three Gnats hits in eight innings of work. In the second, Dan Black singled to start the frame but Schwinden looked as if he’d get out of the inning unscathed as he retired the next two batters he faced. A two-out, RBI double by Brandon Short plated Kannapolis’ first run. An inning later, Jon Gilmore singled in Luis Sierra with two away to bring the second run home. The Georgia boys had their opportunities, getting the leadoff man on in the second and third innings, but weren’t able to move them over and get them in. Savannah grounded into three double plays in the game and had just four hits off Intimidators pitching. Jefry Marte secured the Gnats fourth hit in the game with two away in the ninth with a double but was stranded at second when Wilmer Flores struck out to end the game. Schwinden’s eight innings pitched are a new career high for the Visalia, Calif. native.