Some starting pitchers struggled late in their games as the middle of the system struggled, but the Knights and the stateside rookie clubs all hit their way to victories.
Charlotte 7, Durham 4
The Knights won this one behind Matt Tuiasosopo‘s third grand slam of the season. Kevan Smith also homered as part of a 2-4 day, and he’s hitting .289 in his last 10 games as he gradually improves in AAA. Given the trade rumors around Geovany Soto, Smith may be auditioning for a role with the big club in the latter part of this season. Brad Penny gave up four runs in his six inning start, allowing a pair of home runs as well. Leury Garcia may also be a candidate for Chicago, depending on how that roster shakes out, and his 2-4 day pushed his average up to .303 on the year (though he was also caught stealing for the 12th time this year).
Tennessee 3, Birmingham 2 (F/7)
On the front end of a double-header, Myles Jaye uncharacteristically struggled and only pitched four innings, while the offense struggled to put runs on the board. Jaye has been having a very good season to date, and even after allowing three runs in four innings the 23-year old’s ERA stands at 2.55. The Birmingham lineup is now almost back to full strength with Courtney Hawkins‘ return, and he did hit a double but also struck out three times. Tim Anderson went 2-4 and stole three more bags (35 on the year) but whiffed twice, as the Barons struck out a whopping 15 times in this seven inning affair. Adrian Nieto went 1-2 with a triple and a walk.
Tennessee 3, Birmingham 1 (F/7)
Tyler Danish cruised through six innings of 1-run ball to start this one, but the Smokies walked off in the bottom of the seventh on a 2-run home run from Bryant Flete. It was still a quality start from the righty who has struggled at times in his first year at AA, but being as young as he is for the level he’s held his own. Tim Anderson went 2-for-3 in this one with a triple and he’s now hitting .311 despite being young and quite raw for this league. Rob Brantly went 2-3 with a double, and he’s now got an .862 OPS on the season and 1.231 in 10 July games.
Lynchburg 6, Winston-Salem 4
The Dash fell short of pulling off another series sweep, as James Dykstra (much like Danish) threw 6 strong innings before the wheels fell off in the 7th. Four Winston-Salem hitters registered 2-hit games: Keon Barnum (2-5, HR), Nick Basto (2-3, 2B, BB, K), Omar Narvaez (2-2, 2B, 2 BB), and Cleuluis Rondon (2-4, 2B). Rondon has had a miserable season offensively, though he has hit .250 in his last 10 games (compared to .170 prior to that). Adam Engel hit a double, drew a walk, stole his 38th base but was also caught stealing for the 10th time this season.
Great Falls 5, Idaho Falls 2
The Voyagers rode another quality start from Brannon Easterling (6 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 4 K) to a win and a series split. The door was shut by 15th round pick Danny Dopico, who struck out the side in both of his two innings. In 17.2 innings, the 21-year old has given up just 12 hits, walked 5, and struck out an impressive 27 batters. The offense was led by Zach Fish‘s three-hit day that finished a triple short of the cycle, and it sure seems like he’s too much for rookie ball (.341/.409/.683 in PIO). Dante Flores had a pair of singles and a successful SAC bunt in five trips as his average moved above .300. Grant Massey has the other multi-hit day with his own pair of base knocks.
AZL White Sox 9, AZL Reds 5
The younger rookie White Sox affiliate put up another hitting barrage to win this one, with all but one player in the lineup registering a hit (and the one who didn’t, Cody Daily, is still hitting .390 on the short season). Corey Zangari had a triple, single and a walk, and is hitting .348 in his last ten games (though he’s also K’d 15 times in that span). Jacob May hit a double and struck out once in his 5 plate appearances on rehab assignment, playing center field the full game. Yeuris Guerrero got hit a bit but kept the damage limited to three earned in five frames.
DSL Blue Jayes 9, DSL White Sox 4
Carlos Perez went 2-3 with a double and Hanleth Otano was 2-4. Maiker Feliz was not in the lineup, which is probably just a day off, but one wonders if he’s headed state-side soon.
***Kannapolis was off
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