Norfolk 7, Charlotte 6
Following a win in their Home Opener, the Knights lost their first game of the 2015 season to the Norfolk Tides by a score of 7-6. Chris Beck started for the Knights, allowing four hits and three earned runs in 4.2 IP. He issued one walk, recording just one strikeout. After 87 pitches, Beck exited the game – whereupon Jarrett Casey managed three strikeouts in 1.2 scoreless innings pitched. The success of the Knights’ bullpen stopped there. Spring training cast-offs Matt Lindstrom (0.2 IP, three earned runs) and Daniel Webb (2 IP, two walks, and an earned run) blew the lead for the Knights. Tyler Saladino, batting leadoff, was 2-5 with three stolen bases. Matt Davidson, coming off the Home Opener in which he homered and walked, had a base hit, but struck out three times. Trayce Thompson had 2 RBIs and one strikeout.
Carlos Rodon will make his 2015 season debut tonight.
Mobile 4, Birmingham 3
Birmingham, after getting rocked in their Home Opener, lost a close one Friday night as they struggled to generate offense, collecting six hits in an 11-inning affair with the Mobile BayBears. Starter Mike Recchia proved serviceable as he went five innings, allowing three earned runs on a home run, managing three strikeouts and three walks. Before the 11th inning, the Barons’ bullpen was stellar. An offseason waiver claim, Onelki Garcia struck out two batters in his lone inning pitched – throwing 15 pitches, 11 of which were strikes. Batting leadoff, Tim Anderson had two singles, a stolen base, and a run scored. Speedster Jacob May scored a run and drew a walk, but struck out twice. Courtney Hawkins, hitting third, registered a double, an RBI, a base on balls, and two strikeouts on the night.
Frederick 3, Winston-Salem 2
After a 13-run performance in the game prior, Winston Salem’s bats were quiet as Frederick’s starter David Hess stymied the Dash, allowing just one hit over five innings. Hess’ counterpart, however, Jace Fry – a 2013 third round selection of the White Sox, had a successful night too, striking out five over five scoreless innings pitched, issuing just one free pass. Nathaniel Stoltz of Fangraphs was there in person and tweeted this re: Fry: “[fastball] 91-93 T94, plus life, gets on guys quick”. Andre Wheeler, coming out of the bullpen and making his high-A ball debut, struck out two over two scoreless innings pitched – throwing 24 pitches, 16 of which were strikes. Cleuluis Rondon drew two walks. Trey Michalczewski drew a walk, but was hitless in four ABs and struck out once. In five ABs, Adam Engel was hitless, though he managed to record an RBI. Keon Barnum had a nice night, recording two base hits and a walk out of the cleanup spot.
Kannapolis 4, Lakewood 3
Spencer Adams made his season debut for Kannapolis. He struggled with command, allowing seven hits over a four-inning start. Adams failed to add to his ridiculous 59:4 SO:BB ratio from rookie ball in 2014, as he allowed one walk and struck out two. But after losing a close one in the opener, the Intimidators pulled out the extra inning win when Chris Curley cashed Eddy Alvarez with two down in the 12th. Brett Austin – a catcher – clubbed two triples.
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