The Arizona League Sox picked up a suspended game in the third inning and the Kannapolis Intimidators were rained out in the 5th.
Charlotte 8, Buffalo 5
Starter Kameron Loe gave up five runs over 5.2 innings, but the Charlotte offense made him a winner and the bullpen was rock solid. After Loe departed in the 6th, Juan Minaya spun 2.1 scoreless innings without giving up a hit and Knights closer Brad Goldberg struck out two in a perfect 9th inning for his 9th save of the season.
Adam Engel has struggled a bit since his promotion, but the speedy outfielder is officially heating up. After homering in back-to-back games, Engel went 3-4 with a triple and a stolen base to lead the offense Sunday. Rehabbing Avisail Garcia went 2-5 with a double and Jake Peter went 2-4 and also had a double.
Chris Volstad will take the hill as the Knights look to take the rubber match of the series on Monday.
Jackson 4, Birmingham 3 (10 innings)
The Barons bullpen spoiled a great AA debut for Thad Lowry and were swept by the Jackson Generals in a five game series. Lowry gave up two runs, six hits, and one walk over seven innings and left with the Barons clinging to a 3-2 lead. Reliever Colin Kleven tossed a scoreless 8th but was tagged with a run in the 9th. Brandon Brennan came on in the 10th and committed a throwing error that allowed the go-ahead run to score.
Joey DeMichele hit an inside the park home run and catcher Alfredo Gonzalez went 2-4 to pace the Barons offense.
The Barons will be happy to see the Jackson General leave town and Nolan Sanburn will start a new series against the Montgomery Biscuits on Monday.
Salem 12, Winston-Salem 1
Kelvis Valerio gave up seven runs over just 3.2 innings and Ryan Riga allowed five more over his 2.2 innings as the Salem Red Sox breezed past the Dash. Taylore Cherry and Aaron Bummer were bright spots, as they both had scoreless relief appearances to finish the game.
Marcus Davis went 2-4 and provided the only run of the game for Winston-Salem with a home run. Catcher Zack Collins went 1-4 with two strikeouts and Gerson Montilla went 1-3 with a double.
The Dash have Monday off to lick their wounds and then Robin Leyer will start a new series against the Frederick Keys on Tuesday.
Helena 6, Great Falls 3
What else can I say about Alec Hansen? The 2016 2nd round pick might be the steal of the draft as he struck out 13 of the 22 batters he faced on Sunday and only allowed one (infield) hit over six dominant innings. Hansen has struck out 70 batters over his first 43.2 innings and allowed 13 hits. To put those numbers into perspective, Hansen is averaging less than three hits per nine innings and over 14 strikeouts.
Unfortunately for Great Falls, Hansen left after six innings and Brandon Magallones was tagged for five runs (four earned) without recording an out. Catcher Casey Schroeder led the offense by going 2-4 with his fourth home run of the season.
Bernardo Flores will get the start in the continuation of the series on Monday.
AZL Brewers 9, AZL White Sox 6 (Game 1)
The AZL White Sox had a 6-0 lead entering the bottom of the 7th when reliever Evan Bell had an epic meltdown, allowing seven runs (five earned) to score. Luis Ledo started the game Saturday and threw two perfect innings before the rains came and suspended play. Ledo recorded all six outs via ground balls and has been fantastic in his stateside debut, posting a 1.07 ERA over 42 innings with the AZL Sox. Reliever Brandon Agar also threw three perfect innings and lowered his season ERA to 2.18.
Third baseman Maiker Feliz (who just turned 19 on August 17th) went 3-4 with a walk. Feliz had a .455 OBP in 2015 with the Domican Summer League squad and is getting on base with the AZL Sox this season at a .365 clip. Shortstop Amado Nunez went 2-5 and stole two bases and Hanleth Otano went 2-3 with a walk.
AZL Brewers 8, AZL White Sox 2 (Game 2, 7 innings)
Starter Edinxon Arias was roughed up and the AZL offense only had two hits as they were routed by the Brewers. Catcher Joxelier Garcia went 1-2 with a double and drove in both Sox runs. Luis Curbelo went 0-3 with a strikeout and recorded two throwing errors at second base.
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