Four affiliates closed out their seasons with losses tonight. Charlotte lost a heartbreaker that saw them finish just 0.5 games out of the playoffs despite an objectively uninspiring season record. Tanner Banks pitched a gem his final time out for the Dash while Brannon Easterling was strong in his final start for Kannapolis. Great Falls will play one more regular season game tomorrow against Missoula as they look to keep their win streak alive.
Gwinnett 6, Charlotte 2
Charlotte was fighting for its playoff lives tonight against Gwinnett. Both teams hold subpar records in a strangely weak division. As such Gwinnett (65-78) clinched a playoff spot by bringing down Charlotte (65-79) in the season finale. While their win totals are the same, Charlotte has an extra loss on the season and the schedule will not be made up to balance it out. Kameron Loe received the loss. He was saddled with four earned runs over six innings pitched. Blake Smith tossed three scoreless frames, but Zack Burdi was wild behind him. Burdi walked three batters and gave up two earned runs over two innings to finish out his year. Brad Goldberg long seemed like a candidate for Chicago and his scoreless frame and 2.84 ERA on the season might earn him a September call up. Leury Garcia closed the season above .300 with a 2-for-5 night that gave him a .313 average on the year. Jason Coats went 1-for-3 with a double and solidified a .330 average with Charlotte. Jacob May and Nicky Delmonico closed out their seasons with two-baggers of their own.
Pensacola 3, Birmingham 1
Birmingham’s season also came to a close tonight. Thaddius Lowry pitched well enough to win, but dropped to 0-3 with the Barons. He threw a quality start, going seven innings and allowing just two runs on five hits. It was a slow night on offense for the Barons. Chris O’Dowd went 2-for-4 while six Barons went hitless. Eudy Pina had a big night at DH. He went 3-for-4 with a home run and knocked in Birmingham’s only RBI.
Carolina 1, Winston-Salem 0
Winston-Salem’s season also closed out with a loss. Dash starter Tanner Banks went the distance. The lefty finished on a high note, pitching into the ninth inning with just one earned run on his line. He struck out eight batters while surrounding just one free pass. The Dash’s finish on offense wasn’t quite as encouraging. The club had just three hits as a whole. Zack Collins went 1-for-2 with two walks while Nick Basto turned in a 2-for-4 night to keep his season average with the Dash above .300.
Delmarva 4, Kannapolis 3 (10 innings)
The Intimidators also lost their finale to ensure an affiliates sweep on the evening. Brannon Easterling was excellent his final time out. He went six scoreless innings striking out more batters (6) than he allowed hits (3). Danny Mendick went 2-for-5 with a double and RBI. Meanwhile Zach Remillard and Bradley strong had identical lines, each going 1-for-4 with a double and RBI.
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