Fredericksburg, V.A. - The Fredericksburg Nationals dropped the series opener 4-1 to the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. The visitors scored four unanswered runs to take the game.
It was a strong start to the game for the FredNats who were led on the mound by RHP Marlon De La Cruz. The 20-year-old put together his best outing of the year, throwing four scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, while tying his career high in strikeouts with seven.
The FredNats offense backed up their young pitcher, giving him a lead to work with. After stranding three in scoring position through the first two innings, Cristhian Vaquero broke through the shutout in the bottom of the 3rd with his 4th home run and 7th XBH in just 11 games at Single-A.
Kannapolis struck back as soon as De La Cruz exited the game. MLB rehabber Josiah Gray entered and allowed one run on two hits with a strikeout. The Cannon Ballers added on a run in the 6th after a balk and wild pitch to take the lead. They then got some insurance in the 7th, after a leadoff error and hit batter, Grayson Fitzwater hit a two RBI triple to make it 4-1.
With the loss, the FredNats fall back to four games below .500 in the second half. They’ve now lost six of their last seven games. The Nationals will look to get back on track tomorrow. RHP Gus Hughes is set to make his first start of the season against RHP Truman Pauley. First pitch from Virginia Credit Union Stadium is set for 6:35 PM.