It wasn’t a pretty day on the farm on Sunday, as all four full-season teams lost. But there were a few highlights…
Buffalo 5, Charlotte 2
Not much doing for the Knights in this one, a day after sweeping a double-header. Danny Hayes hit his 10th home run of the season (he had 7 all of last year) to knock in both the team’s runs on the team’s only extra-base hit. He also added a walk. With Tim Anderson and Jason Coats in Chicago, and Leury Garcia on the disabled list, the once-potent Charlotte lineup is running a little thinner.
Scott Carroll got smacked around to the tune of 10 hits and 5 runs (4 earned) in 5.1 innings of work. Chris Beck threw 2.2 scoreless innings as he continues his adjustment to a relief role.
Jacob Turner will get the start for the Knights as they open a home set against Norfolk tonight.
Biloxi 6, Birmingham 5
The Barons grabbed an early lead but couldn’t hold it. Brandon Brennan, recently re-promoted back to AA, posted a decent start (3 ER on 6 hits in 5.2 innings, striking out 5 while walking just 1). But Andre Wheeler, in his AA debut, allowed a pair of runs allowing the Shuckers to tie it up. Nolan Sanburn gave up the difference-making solo home run, the 4th long ball of the day for Biloxi.
Eddy Alvarez had a pair of base hits and a walk in four trips, and he’s showing multi-game signs of life at the plate for the first time this year. The shortstop has been hitting .375 with 6 walks against 2 strikeouts in his last 8 games, which is a small sample but also provides a small glimmer of hope. Adam Engel had a walk and a base hit, as well as his 19th stolen base. Jake Peter, Joey DeMichele and Sean O’Connell all had a pair of hits each.
David Holmberg will be on the bump for the Barons today.
Carolina 9, Winston-Salem 8
The Dash came back from 5-run deficits twice to get within a run, but couldn’t quite push it across the line in this loss. Toby Thomas had a nice 3-hit game including a triple, and Marcus Davis contributed a double and a single. Chris O’Dowd, the team’s backup catcher, actually played third base in this one, recording a hit and a pair of walks as the 2-slot batter. Going into this season, O’Dowd had played nearly 200 games at catcher and 4 in right field, but had never played elsewhere. This season with Winston-Salem he’s already played 4 games at the hot corner.
Tanner Banks made his Carolina League debut in this start, allowing five earned in six innings. He did strike out five as well and didn’t walk anyone.
Dash ace Matt Cooper gets the ball Monday as Winston-Salem opens a series at Wilmington.
Hickory 8, Kannapolis 1
Seby Zavala threw out four more attempted base-stealers in this one (allowing just one SB) to pad his league lead in that category, but that was pretty close to the full extent of highlights. Leadoff hitter Tyler Sullivan, who has cooled substantially in the last month, did manage a pair of hits. Landon Lassiter reached twice on a hit and a walk.
Consistency continues to evade Luis Martinez, who was tagged for four runs in the 2nd inning and allowed five (four earned) in just four frames. He didn’t walk anyone though, and struck out four. Dylan Barrow, the 2015 23rd rounder who was just recently promoted from Extended Spring Training, threw a pair of scoreless innings.
Chris Comito will start for the Intimidators tonight as they begin a 7-game road trip.
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