Charlotte improved to 44-33 with a 6-2 win over Norfolk, propelling them back into first place. The Knights had 11 hits for the game, two of which were from Tyler Saladino who also added his 21st stolen base of the season. Micah Johnson, Saladino’s double play partner, went 1-4 with two RBIs, a walk, and a stolen base — his 15th of his AAA season. Matt Davidson doubled and scored a run in four ABs with two strikeouts. Trayce Thompson doubled and scored a run in four ABs with one strikeout. Former U-Pitt quarterback Kevan Smith scored two runs on one hit and a walk in three ABs.
Shawn Haviland started the game and went 5.2IP, allowing two earned on three hits with no walks and four strikeouts.
Jackson 4, Birmingham 0
Jackson blanked the Barons (36-38), allowing just five hits in a shutout. Tim Anderson, batting .308 for the season, was responsible for one of those hits in his four ABs, striking out once. Courtney Hawkins had an identical line (1-4, SO). The 21-year-old (roughly three years young, on average, for his level) has a BB:SO of 14:76 in 239 PAs. Recently activated and previously hard-hitting Nick Delmonico went 0-3 with two strikeouts.
Tony Bucciferro (0-5, 6.80) allowed two HRs, five hits, two earned, two walks (four SOs) in 5 IP.
Winston-Salem 2, Myrtle Beach 1
Behind a strong pitching effort, the Dash improved to 34-40 in this close contest. RHP James Dykstra started the game for the Dash and went six innings, allowing five hits, one earned run, one walk, while striking out five. Jefferson Olacio relieved Dykstra and registered a scoreless inning, featuring two strikeouts (one walk and a hit). Andre Wheeler (3-2, 3.65) worked two perfect innings (with three strikeouts) to tie a bow on this one.
The offense generated a good amount of hits – 10, four multi-hit efforts – but that only translated into two runs (2-9 RISP). Jake Peter and Trey Michalczewski each had two hit nights – Peter with his 12th double of the season. Jeremy Dowdy and Nolan Earley, the other multi-hit performances, each had three-hit, two RBI games. Cleuluis Rondon went 0-3 with a strikeout, which lowered his batting average to .180 on the season.
Asheville 6, Kannapolis 1
Eddy Alvarez: 1-5
Alexander Simon: 3-3, R, BB
Nick Basto: 1-3, 2B, BB
SP Zach Thompson: 6 IP, 7Hs, 4Rs (2ER), BB, SO
**
Great Falls’ game was suspended with the Voyagers leading 3-0 over Helena after a half inning.
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