It was a rough day down on the farm, with just Birmingham and the DSL White Sox winning.
Gwinnett 5, Charlotte 2
Former White Sox prospect, Kaneoka Texeira (22nd round pick by the White Sox in the 2006 draft), allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits in six innings, while striking out six en-route to a 5-2 win. While the Knights’ offense was quiet, the big news of the day was RHP Erik Johnson, whose scheduled start was pushed back to Tuesday, which coincidentally is when Jeff Samardzija is scheduled to make his next start. The move by the White Sox is a clear sign that Johnson would be called up if Samardzija is traded prior to his next start.
Terance Marin got the start in Johnson’s stead, giving up three runs in five innings of work. Nate Jones, who is working his way back to the White Sox bullpen, pitched a scoreless inning of relief (1 hit, 0 BB, 0 K) and maintained his 0.00 ERA in three appearances with the Knights. RHP J.B. Wendelken, who was promoted to Charlotte from AA Birmingham earlier in the day, allowed two runs in his Charlotte debut. The loss was the Knight’s third in a row.
Birmingham 5, Jacksonville 0 (doubleheader game 1)
Jacksonville 3, Birmingham 2 (doubleheader game 2)
The Birmingham Barons split a doubleheader vs. Jacksonville, winning one game 5-0 while losing the other game 3-2. Similar to the Knights’ game, the big news of the day was related to Frank Montas, who was scratched from his scheduled start. With Erik Johnson expected to replace Samardzija in the White Sox rotation (presuming Samardzija is traded by Tuesday), Montas might be on his way to AAA, to replace Johnson.
In the game the Barons won 5-0, 1B Danny Hayes (1-3, HR, 4 RBI, BB) provided the bulk of the offense, driving in four of the Barons’ five runs, while Tim Anderson (2-3, 2B, BB, R) and Jacob May (2-4, R, K) each had two hits apiece. That was plenty of offense for Mark Blackmar, who pitched six scoreless innings en route to his fourth win of the season.
In the second game the Barons lost 3-2, RHP Tim Crabbe, who replaced Montas, took the loss, giving up three runs in three innings of work. The Barons’ offense was very Sox like, mustering out just three hits off Jacksonville pitching while striking out 12 times. In fact, every Baron in the lineup struck out at least once, with Tim Anderson, Joey DeMichele, and Marcus Lemon striking out twice.
Frederick 2, Winston-Salem 1 (11 innings)
The team formerly known as the Warthogs wasted a gem from starter Matt Heidenreich, who retired the first twelve batters, and allowed just one run on four hits in eight innings. Heidenreich turned the ball over to Jake Cose, who took the loss, giving up the walk off hit in the 11th inning. While the Dash used just two pitchers, Frederick relied on its bullpen, which allowed one hit in 5 1/3 innings of work. The top of Winston-Salem’s lineup – Adam Engel (1-3, R, 2BB), Eddy Alvarez (1-4, BB, 2 SB), and Jake Peter (1-4, RBI, SB) – provided the only offense of the night.
Lakewood 5, Kannapolis 1
Kannapolis lost 5-1 with RHP Spencer Adams giving up 10 hits and three runs in six innings while striking out five. The Intimidators’ lone offense came on Brett Austin’s (2-4, HR, RBI, K) fourth home run of the season. Yelmison Peralta made his first relief appearance of the season, giving up two runs in two innings of work.
Missoula 5, Great Falls 1
Missoula clinched the first half North Division title and completed the sweep over Great Falls, who committed four errors en route to its third straight loss. Tanner Banks got the start and gave up four runs, none of which were earned, in five innings of work. Zach Fish (1-4, 2B, RBI) knocked in the lone run for Great Falls, who struck out 14 times in the game. Five Voyagers struck out at least twice, led by DH Jake Jarvis, who struck out three times.
DSL White Sox 6, DSL Reds 4
DSL White Sox capitalized on a strong start by Nelson Acosta (6 IP, 0R, 3H, 6K), who struck out six en route to his first win of the season. LF Hanleth Otano was the offensive star of the night, with three hits, two of which were doubles, and three runs batted in. Ylexander Villarroel had a good night as well, going 2-3 with two walks.