Charlotte 4, Durham 3 (13 innings)
Leury Garcia raced home on a wild pitch in the 13th as the Knights nipped the Durham Bulls in extras on Sunday. Starter Terance Marin was not scored upon in his last two starts, but that streak was snapped as he allowed a run to cross the plate in the 2nd inning. However, he rebounded and had a solid start, throwing five innings and only allowed two runs to score on seven hits and one walk. Nicky Delmonico backed Marin with a two-run home run in the 4th. Delmonico went 2-4 with the aforementioned long ball and also added two walks.
The bullpen was the real catalyst of the game as Blake Smith threw three shutout innings, Brad Goldberg followed with two scoreless innings, and finally Matt Purke closed the game with a 1-2-3 inning. Smith in particular was impressive and has been dominant recently, only allowing two earned runs over his last 20.2 innings.
The win brings Charlotte within a 1.5 of the International League South Division lead and on Monday the Knights will begin a series with the division leading Gwinnett Braves. Kameron Loe is scheduled to get the start.
Chattanooga 8, Birmingham 3
The Barons and Lookouts were tied heading into the 5th inning, but things then unraveled for starter James Dykstra. Dykstra exited the game in the 7th having allowed four runs (three earned) and reliever Peter Tago finished the inning. However, he did not record an out in the 8th as Chattanooga scored four more runs. After a brilliant July (1.06 ERA), Tago has had a miserable August, posting a 22.09 ERA over four appearances.
Shortstop Eddy Alvarez has been hot recently and he kept up his torrid pace by going 2-2 with two walks on Sunday. Courtney Hawkins went 0-5 with three strikeouts but did reach base on one of the oddest plays you will ever see.
Lynchburg 6, Winston-Salem 0
Starter Zach Thompson was roughed up for six runs over 5.2 innings and the Dash offense was silenced. Thompson was victimized by the long ball as he allowed two home runs. Reliever Alex Katz was a bright spot, throwing 2.1 scoreless innings in his High-A debut to finish the game.
Winston-Salem’s lineup scattered six singles and one walk. Zack Collins went 1-4 with two strikeouts.
Thad Lowry will get the start on Monday against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
Kannapolis 2, Lakewood 1
Micker Adolfo gunned the potential tying run down at home plate for the final out as the Intimidators escaped with a win on Sunday. Ian Hamilton entered the 9th inning with a 2-0 lead and proceeded to walk the bases loaded. Following an RBI single, a fly ball was lifted to right field where Adolfo caught it and completed the game ending double play at home.
Johnathan Frebis started the game and pitched four scoreless innings before departing for converted outfielder Louie Lechich. Lechich, making his pitching debut with the Intimidators after five scoreless innings with the AZL Sox, pitched around a couple of hits to keep his ERA a perfect 0.00. Jack Charleston earned the win thanks to three scoreless innings in relief.
Alex Call went 2-3 to lead the offense and is hitting .405 over his last ten games.
Brannon Easterling will get the ball as the Intimidators start a new series with the Greenville Drive on Tuesday.
Idaho Falls 7, Great Falls 3
The Voyagers pounded out eleven hits but could not overcome an early deficit against Idaho Falls. Starter Jake Elliott allowed five runs to score in the 2nd inning which eventually was the difference.
Aaron Schnurbusch went 2-4 with a double and Brady Conlan went 3-4 to lead the offense. Jameson Fisher went 2-4 with a double and is hitting .464/.545/.643 thus far in the month of August.
Yosmer Solorzano will toe the rubber Monday as the Voyagers start a new series against Odgen.
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