All four affiliates lost, though there were some highlights for White Sox prospects, and of course the matter of that 16 inning affair…
Norfolk 3, Charlotte 2
Chris Volstad booked a very nice start with 7 shutout innings and no walks, but Michael Ynoa‘s AAA debut resulted in giving up a late lead. Ynoa’s inning of work included three hits, an error (his own), a wild pitch, a home run and three runs given up. Also of note, since they pitched last night, you can probably cross both these pitchers (and Will Lamb) off the list for call-up to Chicago today.
On the offensive side, Jason Coats had another three hits including a double. He’s got a .432/.468/.614 line in his first 11 games, having reached base in all but one. The Knight’s lineup struck out a whopping 15 times and only had 5 hits total, with Tim Anderson and Travis Ishikawa having the other two.
Interestingly, Chris Beck was originally slated to start tonight for Charlotte, but that has since changed to be Erik Johnson. Might Beck be headed up? He is on the 40-man roster after all.
Jackson 9, Birmingham 3
Carson Fulmer improved again in his third start at AA, throwing more strikes, allowing three runs in five frames, walking two and whiffing five. But the Barons’ bullpen couldn’t keep it close in this one, as James Dykstra (AA debut), Matt Lollis and Robin Leyer gave up six runs in three innings.
Adam Engel had a nice game offensively, hitting his first home run at the level, to go along with a walk and his 7th stolen base. Eddy Alvarez, Trey Michalczewski and Nick Delmonico each added a double.
Lefty Jordan Guerrero gets the nod tonight.
Myrtle Beach 6, Winston-Salem 4
The Dash offense had 10 hits, half for extra bases, but went 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Marcus Davis and Brett Austin hit back to back home runs in this one, with Davis hitting a double as well. Toby Thomas had a 3-hit day, one of which went for two bases.
Matt Cooper ‘s third start of the year was probably his weakest, but it was still pretty solid: 5 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K. But the Dash bullpen has had some pretty big issues in the early going, and on this night it was Colin Kleven giving up a 3-spot late in the game to make the difference.
Thad Lowry is set to toe the rubber for the Dash tonight.
West Virginia 8, Kannapolis 7 F/16
The Intimidators played the third longest game in their history, but came up heartbreakingly short in the 16th inning. Everyone in the lineup reached base at least twice. Seby Zavala‘s triple in the 8th (part of his 2-6 day as he continues to rebound) was part of the late rally that put the I’s back in the game. Grant Massey and Antonio Rodriguez had three hits each, albeit in eight and seven plate appearances respectively.
Starter Ryan Riga put the team in an early hole, lasting just 3.2 IP and allowing 5 runs on 8 hits, 3 walks and 2 hit batsman (he actually hit the same guy, Casey Hughston, twice). Yelmison Peralta, Alex Katz and Brannon Easterling contributed 8.1 innings of scoreless relief to keep it close. But the Power got a walk-off single with 2 down in the 16th off Jaider Rocha.
NOTE: Power infielder Logan Ratledge pitched the top of the 16th, and was shaky but kept Kannapolis off the board just long enough.
Big right-hander Zach Thompson gets the call to start tonight.
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