Charlotte 7, Gwinnett 1
Every member of the Knights lineup had at least one hit and starter Terence Marin tossed 7.1 shutout innings to lead Charlotte back to first place in IL South Division. Utility player Jake Peter went 3-5 and is 9-16 over his last four games, raising his season average with Charlotte to .259. Catcher Vinny Rottino had a perfect night at the plate, as he went 2-2 with a double and two walks.
The Knights win sets up a dramatic final regular season clash for a playoff spot between Charlotte and Gwinnett. Kameron Loe will toe the rubber with the playoffs on the line.
Pensacola 5, Birmingham 4
Brian Clark uncharacteristically blew a two-run lead in the top of the 9th as Pensacola rallied past the Barons. Starter James Dykstra mostly worked around nine hits and a walk, limited the damage to two runs over six innings. If Sunday was recently acquired Colton Turner‘s last 2016 appearance, he made a good impression on his new club. Turner threw two shutout innings Sunday and did not give up a run over four innings with the Barons, striking out six. Clark entered the 9th with a 1.74 ERA and was 4-of-5 for save opportunities. However, he allowed three runs on three hits and a walk.
Trey Michalczewski went 1-2 with a walk and Marcus Lemon went 2-4 with two RBI’s.
Thaddius Lowry will get the final start of the disappointing year for Birmingham on Monday.
Carolina 5, Winston-Salem 0 (Game 1)
The Dash were held to three hits and committed three errors in an ugly loss in game one. Starter Robin Leyer allowed all five runs (three earned), while striking out five and walking five over 3.1 innings.
Carolina 3, Winston-Salem 2 (Game 2)
Starter Jordan Stephens capped off a very impressive season by striking out eight batters over five shutout innings. The 23 year-old Texan was nothing short of dominant to end his season, striking out 29 batters over his last fifteen innings while only allowing two earned runs over that span. Stephens struck out 155 batters this season which led the Carolina League and was the most strikeouts in the Carolina League since 2012. Unfortunately for Stephens and the Dash, reliever Jacob Morris blew his lead in the bottom of the 7th and the Carolina Muscats walked-off.
Outfielder Landon Lassiter led the offense by going 2-4 and catcher Zack Collins walked over three plate appearances.
Tanner Banks will get the start as the Dash finish their season against Carolina on Monday.
Kannapolis 6, Delmarva 2
Starter Jimmy Lambert struck out five batters while allowing two runs over three innings, but the Kanny bullpen fired zeroes the rest of the way. Danny Dopico got the win by virtue of tossing two scoreless innings. Dylan Barrow and Michael Horejsei followed with two scoreless innings each to finish the game.
Alex Call led things off for the Intimidators from the top of the lineup by going 2-4 with a double. Micker Adolfo and Antonio Rodriguez each went 2-4 with a RBI.
The starter for Kanny’s final game on Monday is currently to be determined.
Great Falls 5, Missoula 0 (5 innings)
On August 20th, Yosmer Solorzano threw seven no-hit innings and the Great Falls bullpen finished off the no-hitter. On Sunday, Solorzano was back at it again with five no-hit innings before the game was called due to rain. The 19 year-old Dominican Republic native struck out nine batters and only walked one to join the rarified no-no club. Thanks to Solorzano, Great Falls became the first Pioneer League pitching staff to throw two no-hitters in the same season since Billings did it in 1975.
The Great Falls offense broke through for five runs in the 4th inning. Mitch Roman started the inning off with a single, and Aaron Schnurbusch moved him to 2nd with a single of his own. Jameson Fisher reached base on an error when he laid down a sacrifice bunt and after a balk, Anthony Villa drove in Schnurbush and Fisher. Max Dutto also added a double and a wild pitch scored another run as the Voyagers romped to their 14th consecutive win.
The Voyagers are now 20 games above .500 (46-26) and will face off against Missoula on Monday.
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