All three Minor League teams in action last night lost close games. While the starting pitching was very solid across the board, Zachary Thompson stood out once again, giving up one run in seven innings. Thompson now carries a 2.78 ERA with 69 strikeouts over 64.2 innings of work. It was a down night offensively though for all three teams in action, but Nick Basto hit his sixth home run of the season in a loss for the Dash.
Biloxi 2, Birmingham 1
James Dykstra made the spot start for the Barons and was great in four innings of work. He gave up just one hit and struck out three, and was followed by Tyler Barnette, who fired 2.1 innings of scoreless ball and punched out two. The Barons led 1 to 0 heading into the bottom of the eighth, but could not hold the lead. Robin Leyer suffered the loss, giving up two runs in 1.2 innings. At the plate, Adam Engel led the way with a pair of hits and one RBI, while Marcus Lemon had a hit, run scored, and a RBI. Jake Peter, Trey Michalczewski, and recently promoted Keon Barnum all had a hit on the night as well.
Southpaw Jordan Guerrero takes the ball tomorrow night as the Knights and Shuckers square off again.
Carolina 3, Winston-Salem 1
Jordan Stephens had a quality start but still suffered the loss, giving up three runs on five hits with four strikeouts over six innings. The bullpen did a great job, as Euclides Leyer and Danny Dopico each pitched a scoreless inning in relief without giving up a hit. The Dash only had five hits on the night, as Toby Thomas led the way with a pair of singles. Nick Basto launched his sixth home run of the season, a solo shot in the top of the fourth inning, while Chris O’Dowd and Hunter Jones each had a base knock.
The Mudcats and Dash return to action tomorrow night as Spencer Adams makes the start.
Hickory 2, Kannapolis 1 (10 innings)
Zachary Thompson was brilliant once again in his start, going seven innings and giving up just one run on three hits with seven strikeouts. Dylan Barrow pitched a scoreless eighth, but the Intimidators fell in extras as Ryan Riga got the loss, giving up one run in two innings of work. The offensive for the Intimidators was nonexistant, as they only were able to muster two hits. Johan Cruz had a double and a run scored, and recent Minor League free-agent signee Kyle Ruchim had a triple. Grant Massey had the lone RBI on the night, driving in Cruz on a ground out in the bottom of the seventh.
Brannon Easterling will make his second start of the season against the Crawdads in game three of a four game set tomorrow night.
**Note: Charlotte was off today, but they return to action for a doubleheader with the Buffalo Bisons starting tomorrow night.
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