It was a mixed day in the minors, but there were a few very good pitching performances and some milestones to report.
Pawtucket 6, Charlotte 0
Doing their best imitation of the parent club, the Knights offense mustered just three hits and couldn’t get it going. Kevan Smith and Jake Peter each had a double, with the former adding a walk.
Scott Carroll gave up 5 runs (4 earned) in just 3.2 innings. Looking for positives in this game, Blake Smith and Bradley Goldberg contributed three and third scoreless innings in relief.
Tyler Danish, who thus far has struggled in AAA, gets the starting nod tonight.
Birmingham 6, Biloxi 0
Flipping the page from AAA, the Barons took the victory in this 6-0 shutout. David Holmberg was superb, not only throwing six shutout frames, but giving up just one hit and walking no one. Zack Burdi struck out a pair (both on offspeed pitches, per Barons radio) in his inning of work, and he’s seemingly getting the control under control lately.
Trey Michalczewski booked three singles, and he’s been on a nice little run lately: .333/.409/.462 in his last 10 games. The 21-year old is quite young for the Southern League. Outfielder Hunter Jones announced his presence in AA with authority in his debut, doubling twice in three trips. Courtney Hawkins hit a solo bomb (but also struck out twice), while Keenyn Walker and Alfredo Gonzalez each had a pair of hits.
James Dykstra gets the call tonight for the Barons.
Winston-Salem 7, Myrtle Beach 2
The Dash won big as well, behind the Zack/h attack/h. 10th overall pick Zack Collins continues to manhandle Carolina League pitching, contributing a 3-run home run and a pair of walks in this contest. Mason Robbins had a pair of hits and a walk (!!!), and Marcus Davis had three base knocks. Michael Suiter has been the team’s 4th outfielder, but he’s seen significant playing time lately and he’s made the most of it – with a pair of hits in this game, he’s sporting a .556 average in the five games he’s played in the past couple weeks.
Zach Thompson bounced back nicely in his second start in High A, going 5.2 innings while allowing 2 runs (but only one earned), and whiffing 4. Thompson was dominant in the SAL during the first half of this season, and if he gets into that type of run again in A+, he’ll be getting closer to center on the prospect radar.
Tanner Banks hopes to make a withdrawal from his ERA on the bump tonight.
Kannapolis 3, Greensboro 2 (F/7)
Greensboro 5, Kannapolis 4 (F/7)
The Intimidators split a double-header featuring a pair of close contests. In the first game, the enigmatic Luis Martinez found a new combination of odd stats to cobble together – he gave up a single run in five innings, with just two hits, but he walked four batters and hit another. Grant Massey‘s 3-hit day with a double and Antonio Rodriguez‘ 2-2 with a walk were the highlights on offense.
Jimmy Lambert made a nice start in the second game, though he’s on limited innings. He hurled 3 frames of 1-run ball, striking out three while not walking anyone. But the bullpen couldn’t hold it. Alex Call made his Class A debut, going 1-3 plus a walk. Micker Adolfo had a two-bagger in three plate appearances.
Everyone aboard the Johnathan Frebis for tonight’s game.
Great Falls 3, Grand Junction 1
Alec Hansen was filthy in this one, striking out a whopping 8 batters in 4 scoreless innings in his Pioneer League debut. In four professional appearances so far, here is Hansen’s combined line across the two rookie affiliates: 11 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 19 K. That seems like it’s good.
From the lineup, each of Corey Zangari, Casey Schroeder and Sam Dexter had a pair of hits, with Schroeder’s including a double. Jackson Glines had a double and two walks.
Bernardo Flores and his sparkling 1.13 ERA go to the bump for the Voyagers this evening.
AZL Brewers 7, AZL White Sox 3
The Fire League Sox managed just four hits, though they included Zach Remillard‘s first home run as a pro. Outfielder Hanleth Otano had half the team’s hits with a pair of singles. Joel Booker was 0-3 with a walk, but made it work for him as he second and third, then scored.
Andres Sanchez gave up 4 runs, but only 2 earned, as the AZL club committed three more errors after a ridiculous eight miscues the day before.
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