All four starters had solid performances, but a lack of offense from the A-ball clubs resulted in close losses and a split day on the farm.
Charlotte 2, Durham 1
Miguel Gonzalez continues to solidify his role as the next starter up for the White Sox should the need arise. In his second start, Gonzalez pitched six innings of one-run ball, striking out five against a pair of walks. Relievers Matt Purke and Daniel Webb added three innings of scoreless relief to seal the win.
Offensively, Matt Davidson had his best game of the year: his third home run, a single, a walk and no strikeouts in four trips to the dish. This was the first game of the year where he didn’t strike out. Tim Anderson had a double in 4 PA, Carlos Sanchez a pair of singles, and Jason Coats drew his first walk of the year to go along with a base hit.
*Note: Jim Margulus of South Side Sox happened to be at the game, and you can read some of his in-person observations here.
The Knights open a new series against Norfolk on Monday, with Chris Volstad headed to the hill.
Birmingham 6, Jackson 2
Nick Delmonico, who only recently joined the team from the DL, had a big 4-hit performance including a pair of doubles to lead the offense in this one. Eddy Alvarez added a couple hits, a walk and a stolen base and he’s had two straight solid games at the plate after missing time to the flu. Joey DeMichele and Trey Michalczewski each had two hits as well, part of a 14-hit Barons attack.
Tyler Danish made his third start, and just as his second was better than the first, his third was better than the second. Danish threw 6 innings of 2-run baseball, striking out 5 and getting lots of ground ball outs. Peter Tago struck out five of the six batters he faced.
Carson Fulmer gets his third start Monday, facing another top pitching prospect in Edwin Diaz of Jackson.
Salem 3, Winston-Salem 1
Spencer Adams is looking awfully good in High-A this season, booking his second straight start of no walks and at least as many strikeouts as innings pitching. In this one it was five innings of one-run ball, striking out eight.
Brett Austin‘s double in three plate appearances was the biggest highlight from the lineup. Mason Robbins knocked him in with a sacrifice fly, as part of his 1-2 day in three plate appearances. While the offense didn’t score much, they did achieve something noteworthy – no one in the lineup struck out. Nor did any of them draw a walk.
Matt Cooper gets the call for the Dash on Monday against Myrtle Beach.
Hickory 2, Kannapolis 1
Grant Massey, playing shortstop with Johan Cruz on the disabled list, had a career-high 3 hits including a pair of doubles. But that represented half the team’s hits and the only ones for extra bases. Corey Zangari had a base hit, a walk and two strikeouts. Landon Lassiter had a hit and a walk, and he’s still reached base in every game he’s played this season.
Starter Luis Martinez was shaky in the first frame (2 runs on a hit and a walk), but followed that with four scoreless frames. Taylore Cherry and Matt Ball added three more scoreless innings, as they both continue to perform well from the Intimidators’ bullpen.
Lefty Ryan Riga gets the nod on Monday as the I’s begin a three game set at West Virginia.
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