The day after all four Sox affiliates were victorious, they were swept during Thursdays games despite starting several top pitching prospects.
Durham 5, Charlotte 2
Erik Johnson was effectively wild Thursday, walking four but striking out six and not allowing an earned run over four innings. Johnson now sports a fantastic 0.75 ERA and a K/BB rate of 13/4, which is more reminiscent of his 2013 form than his miserable 2014. Neftali Soto doubled and hit his first home run of the year in the 9th to give the Knights their only bit of offense. White hot Carlos Sanchez singled to extend his hit streak to all twelve games he has appeared in since being demoted from the Major League club.
Pensacola 5, Birmingham 3
Starter Mike Recchia labored through five innings, allowing seven hits, five runs (four earned) and a walk. Recchia pitched well at Birmingham last year, but is off to a rough start in 2015. Outfielder Brian Fletcher, who was just signed and making his Barons debut, doubled twice and knocked in a run. Courtney Hawkins tripled in his only hit of the night and Tim Anderson went 1-4 with two strikeouts.
Myrtle Beach 6, Winston-Salem 0
Starter Jace Fry was betrayed by his defense as he allowed four unearned runs during his 4.2 innings on Thursday. The 2014 3rd round pick struck out six, but walked three and gave up six hits. Reliever Michael Ynoa pitched one scoreless inning in his first appearance since a brief disabled list visit. The Dash had two players collect their only five hits of the evening, Adam Engel went 3-4 and Keenyn Walker went 2-3.
Hickory 3, Kannapolis 2 (10 innings)
Top pitching prospect Spencer Adams pitched well but gave up two solo home runs, which was the only damage against him. Adams threw five innings, striking out five, and allowing four hits and one walk. Devon Davis relieved Adams and pitched three perfect innings, striking out four in the process. Eddy Alvarez was a catalyst at the top of the Intimidators lineup, going 2-4 with a walk and two stolen bases. Catcher Brett Austin only went 1-4 with a single, but the former backstop for Carlos Rodon is making a name for himself, hitting .412/.488/.676 over his first ten games of 2015.
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