Kevan Smith and Jason Coats led the Knights with impressive results at the plate, setting the tone for what was a remarkable offensive performance system-wide – more on that later. Smith was a perfect three for three, including a double, triple, three RBIs, and two runs scored. The 26-year-old has an .815 OPS in 83 PAs and an OBP hovering near .400 – .395. Batting ninth, Jason Coats went for three hits in four ABs with two doubles, two RBIs, and a run scored, and a strikeout. Dan Black continues to get on base. Black – the owner of a .449 OBP (20.2 BB%) in 89PAs – had a base hit, a walk, a run scored, and a strikeout in four ABs. Matt Davidson and Carlos Sanchez struggled on the night. Davidson went 0-5 ABs and struck out three times, while Sanchez also went 0-5 ABs and struck out once. Brad Penny started for the Knights – (6IP, 7Hs, 2ER, 2BBs, 1SO).
Birmingham 8, Montgomery 7
Tim Anderson, wow, where to start. Anderson hit for the cycle last night, raising his OPS to .711 (128 PAs) for the season. Anderson, batting leadoff, had four hits in six at bats with one strikeout. Here is a video of the home run – his first of the season – that completed the cycle. Anderson carried the Barons’ offense on the night, as Anderson’s three XBHs accounted for half of the team’s XBH total.
Jacob May had one hit in four ABs with a walk and an RBI. Courtney Hawkins went 1-5 with an RBI and two strikeouts. Adrian Nieto drove in two runs, going two for four with a walk and a strikeout. Joey DeMichele went three for five with two runs scored. He raised his batting average to .298 (84 ABs). Frankie Montas got the start for the Barons (4.1 IP, 4Hs, 3ERs, 2BBs, 1SO). Montas threw 76 pitches (46 strikes).
Game 1: Winston-Salem 2, Myrtle Beach 3
In game one of a doubleheader, the Dash struggled to generate offense, registering just four hits. The Dash did, however, display plate discipline (6 BBs, 7SOs). Adam Engel, batting leadoff, drew two walks (no SOs) and went 0-2. Jake Peter had a hit in five ABs, a run scored, and a strikeout. Trey Michalczewski struck out twice and went hitless in four ABs, but drew a walk. Keenyn Walker had a hit and a strikeout in four ABs, stealing his 19th base of the season. Jace Fry had a nice start for the Dash, going six innings (5Hs, 2ERs, 0BBs, 5SOs). The 21-year-old has a 24:9 strikeout to walk ratio in 32.2 IP this season (3.03 ERA/3.08 FIP).
Game 2: Winston-Salem 6, Myrtle Beach 1
Trey Michalczewski, not to be outdone by Tim Anderson, had an impressive night at the plate in the seven-inning shortened affair. Michalczewski was perfect at the plate, going three for three with a triple, home run, four RBIs, and a walk, raising his OPS to .765 (124PAs). He even stole a base – his second of the season. Adam Engel went 1-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Keenyn Walker drew a walk, had an RBI, and a run scored. He stole his 20th base of the season. Andre Wheeler got the start for the Dash. He went four innings (4Hs, 0Rs, 1BB, 2SOs).
Eddy Alvarez catalyzed an eight run ninth inning for the Intimidators. Alvarez filled the box score (4 ABs, 4Rs, 3Hs, 2B, 3B, HR, 5 RBIs, 2 BBs, a SB, and no SOs). He has a .913 OPS in 121 PAs for Kannapolis. The bottom third of the order – Ryan Leonards, Tyler Williams, and Ryan Plourde – contributed five RBIs, six total bases, and five runs scored. Brett Austin joined in on the fun with a pinch hit RBI-single. Luis Martinez started for the Intimidators – (4IP, 3Hs, 4ERs, 3BBs, 2SOs).
Oh, and Carlos Rodon got the win in his first career major league start.
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