Three teams lost and another one fell victim to field difficulties. But there was one stand-out pitching performance and three hitters who’ve been on fire for Kannapolis in June…
Pawtucket 2, Charlotte 1
The Erik Johnson comeback tour continues as Johnson threw eight dazzling innings against the Red Sox by striking out eight and only allowing three hits and one walk. Johonson, who has given up only four earned runs in his last three starts, did give up one unearned run which ended up coming to haunt the Knights as Jarrett Casey gave up the game winning run in the ninth after only retiring one batter.
The offense couldn’t muster much of anything with only Micah Johnson, Matt Davidson, Tyler Colvin and Drew Garcia getting hits. Of those four, only Colvin had an extra base hit (a double and the Knights’ lone RBI).
[Birmingham’s game was postponed due to playing conditions – a rogue sprinkler made the field unplayable]
Wilmington 11, Winston-Salem 5
The Dash defense betrayed the team, allowing six unearned runs on four errors. Jake Cose allowed seven runs but only two earned without making it out of the fifth, though he didn’t walk anyone and struck out four (he also committed two of those four errors himself). The lineup did generate plenty of hits with Adam Engel, Trey Michalzewski and Nolan Early each booking a pair of hits (both of Earley’s being doubles). Michalczewski’s bat remains red hot, as he’s got a 1.008 OPS thus far in June with just 3 strikeouts in 34 plate appearances. Jake Peter is riding a 13-game hitting streak.
Greensboro 5, Kannapolis 3
The Intimidators found themselves in an early hole, allowing three unearned runs. Starter Yelmison Peralta blazed through the first four frames before crumbling in the 5th due in part to that lack of defense (though one of the errors was his own). Offensively, Brett Austin booked the first 4-hit game of his career, including a double. Mason Robbins added a pair of hits and continues to be on fire at the plate, with a .429/.432/.543 line in June. Christian Stringer had the other multi-hit game (2-5, 2B), and he’s also hitting a ton in June: .324/.378/.618, 3 BB, 3 K in 38 PA. All three of those hitters are candidates for mid-season promotions.
[Matt Cassidy contributed to this report]
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