A four-run second inning and a Matt Davidson three-run-homer (7th of the season) in the fifth helped the Knights improve to 25-19. In his three other PAs, Davidson walked once and struck out twice. Batting leadoff, Micah Johnson had a base hit, a run scored, two RBIs, and also struck out twice. Tyler Saladino, Johnson’s double play partner at SS, walked and struck out once with a run scored in four PAs. Jason Coats had a hit, sacrifice bunt, and an RBI in three at bats. Coats is batting .292 and has 21 RBIs in his first 29 games in AAA. It should be noted that Coats’ .677 OPS leaves much – mainly plate discipline and XBHs – to be desired.
Birmingham 2, Biloxi 7
Brian Fletcher’s two-run-homer accounted for all the Barons’ offense (and XBHs) in this rain shortened affair with Biloxi. Tim Anderson’s base hit accounted for the other hit in the game. 4.5 innings was enough for Biloxi to jump all over Tyler Danish, as Danish allowed four earned (seven runs as a result of three errors). Danish failed to record a strikeout, walking one and allowing nine hits in four innings pitched. While it did not seem to perturb Biloxi, weather conditions likely played a role in this poor performance for Danish and the Barons.
Winston-Salem 0, Salem 4
Winston-Salem wished their game was shortened by rain. The Dash had two hits in 28 at bats, as Salem starter Teddy Stankiewicz blanked them in eight scoreless innings. Adam Engel could not figure Stankiewicz out, as Engel struck out three times in four ABs. Tyler Williams’ triple accounted for the lone XBH in the game. Jace Fry’s fantastic start was the lone bright spot of the game. Fry went six innings, allowed an earned run, scattered nine hits, and struck out seven, while only walking one batter. Before this start, the 21-year-old Fry had a 6.3 SO/9 – a rate that will need to increase for Fry to shed his ceiling projection as a backend starter/reliever floor.
Kannapolis 6, Lexington 5
A Ryan Leonards walk-off single won the game for the Intimidators, as they improved 20-24 on the year. Leonards had two hits on the night in five ABs, with two RBIs, while striking out once. Batting leadoff, Eddy Alvarez reached base twice – a walk and a hit – and scored a run. Ethan Gross had three hits in four at bats. Louie Lechich had two hits in four ABs with a walk, an RBI, and a run scored. While Brett Austin went 0-3 with an RBI, he did manage to throw out two Lexington Legends in the same inning. Thad Lowry, Austin’s battery mate, went five innings. The 20-year-old allowed four runs (two earned), four hits, two walks and struck out seven.
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I will be visiting Kannapolis tomorrow night and Winston-Salem on Wednesday night. Expect player interviews and scouting notes.
The scheduled pitchers for the games: Spencer Adams for Kanny and Robin Leyer for Winston-Salem, respectively.
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