In Game 2 of the Carolina League Division Series, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers were hoping for their first playoff series win since moving to the Carolina League. They last won as the Kannapolis Intimidators — in 2017. Their opponent, the Charleston RiverDogs (Tampa Bay Rays), needed a win to stay afloat and try to keep their streak of three straight league champions alive. Despite Kannapolis outhitting the RiverDogs 11-9, the win went to Charleston. With the 7-4 victory, the Dogs force Game 3, which will be back in Kannapolis, tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. CST.

This contest was quite different than Tuesday’s 5-4 win. It started as a pitchers’ duel, with neither club scoring through the first four innings. Then, the dam busted, and the runs began flooding across the plate. The Ballers finally broke through with a run in the bottom of the fifth after Charleston scored three tallies in the top of the frame.

Ryan Burrowes led off the inning with a double, and then, with one out, George Wolkow smashed what at first looked like a round-tripper to center. The call on the field was a double, as the ball freakishly slipped between the scoreboard and the wall.

With the score 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth, Kanny did what they’ve done all season — get guys on and drive them home. A single by Arxy Hernández, a walk to Jackson Appel, and a base hit by Jeral Perez packed the sacks for Burrowes. It was a big night for the shortstop, as he came through with a two-RBI double, knotting the score at 3-3.

Ryan Burrowes comes through with a big double to tie the game! @Kcannonballers #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/dfkuELouK1

— Melissa Sage-Bollenbach (@soxmom72) September 13, 2024

Kanny wasn’t done yet as designated hitter Sam Antonacci knocked a single to right, plating Perez and giving the Ballers a short-lived 4-3 lead.

Mason Moore, a Round 15 (No. 439) pick of the White Sox in the 2024 MLB Draft, got the start this evening for the Cannon Ballers. In only his second professional appearance, the 22-year-old was terrific, throwing three scoreless innings. The righthander surrendered no runs on only three hits with two walks and three strikeouts.

Unfortunately, the bullpen couldn’t keep Charleston off the bases this evening. Carlton Perkins, who came on in the fourth, struggled with his control, and the RiverDogs took full advantage of the 21-year-old’s difficulties finding the zone. Three hits and four free passes yielded three runs in only 2 1/3 innings.

Frankeli Arias came on in relief of Perkins in the top of the sixth. After digging Perkins out of trouble with two on and one out, he quickly found himself in a bind of his own in the seventh. With two outs, he walked back-to-back batters and surrendered an RBI single to give the Dogs the 5-4 lead.

Charleston added a pair of insurance runs, with one in the eighth off Connery Peters and one in the ninth off Pierce George. With the Ballers unable to score in either of those innings, the 7-4 advantage was enough for the RiverDogs to claim the victory.

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Ryan Burrowes photo by Tiffany Wintz/Sox Populi.