Charlotte 4, Norfolk 3 (Game 1)
Erik Johnson got off to a sluggish start but recovered nicely to pitch a seven inning complete game and earn the win over the Norfolk Tides. Johnson, who last started in the majors against Boston, gave up a home run to the first batter of the game and another in the third, but limited the damage just the three runs.
The offense was dormant until the last frame when Jacob May singled with the bases loaded to score a run and Tim Anderson drove in another two runs on a costly error. J.B. Shuck then gave the Knights the lead with a sacrifice fly.
Charlotte 3, Norfolk 2 (Game 2)
Different game, same results as the Knights used a late inning rally to defeat Norfolk. After Erik Johnson went the distance in the first game, it was the bullpen’s time to shine as reliever Tyler Barnette got the spot-start. Barnette gave up two runs over 3.2 innings, but Will Lamb tossed 2.1 shutout innings and Brad Goldberg closed the game emphatically with a perfect inning highlighted by two strikeouts.
Shortstop Tim Anderson reached base three time as he went 2-3 with a walk but outfielder Daniel Fields was the hero as his 6th inning single drove in the two deciding runs.
After sweeping the doubleheader the Knights are now tied with the Gwinnett Braves for 1st place in the Southern Division of the International League. Charlotte hopes to claim the division lead on Wednesday as Terrance Marin faces Norfolk in the finale of the series.
Jackson 3, Birmingham 2
Jordan Guerrero struck out eight batters over six innings but the Birmingham offense could only muster two runs in support as the Barons lost on Wednesday to the Jackson Generals. Guerrero has been quite the strikeout artist recently, totaling 25 punchouts over his last three starts spanning 17 innings. However the most encouraging stat for him in his start Tuesday is he only walked one batter, as he had walked 24 batters over 27 innings coming into the game.
Josh Richmond hit a solo home run and Nicky Delmonico went 2-4 to pace the offense. Catcher Jeremy Dowdy also went 2-4 and is hitting a robust .389 over his last ten games.
The Barons send top prospect Carson Fulmer for revenge against Jackson for a Wednesday matinee.
Myrtle Beach 5, Winston-Salem 2
Despite 11 hits, the Dash could only push across two runs and dropped the opening game of the series to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Adam Engel, playing in his first game with the Dash since being demoted from the Barons, went 2-5 with a double and Hunter Jones went 3-4.
Dash starter Brandon Brennan gave up three runs over 2.2 innings but Manny Martinez pitched well in relief tossing 2.1 innings and only allowing an unearned run.
Matt Cooper will get the start Wednesday against the Pelicans.
Lakewood 5, Kannapolis 3
Third baseman Cody Daily torched the Lakewood BlueClaws on Tuesday with a 4-4 effort that ended a home run short of the cycle. The undrafted free agent and Illinois native is hitting .317/.400/.442 on the season and has been on fire recently, raising his batting average to .317 from .271 over his last ten games. Catcher Seby Zavala went 2-4 with a double as well as Daily and Zavala combined for the Intimidators six hits. First baseman Corey Zangari went 0-4 with two strikeouts and is slumping badly in Kannapolis as a 19 year-old. Zangari is striking out in 44% of his at bats and his average has dipped to .188.
Chris Comito was rocked in his first start of the season, but pitched respectably Tuesday, going five innings and allowing three runs.
Kannapolis has the day off Wednesday before traveling to Hagerstown to take on the Suns on Thursday.
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