Stiever inconsistent in Knights’ loss as speculation builds about a Burger call-up

The big news in Charlotte was who did not take the field — Jake Burger — as social media exploded Thursday night with rumors that he was on his way to Detroit to fill in for an injured Yoan Moncada.  Manager Wes Helms said post-game that the decision was made last-minute to give Burger a night off, but my guess is that any change to Burger’s status will have to come from the White Sox.

Burger missed a dud-of-a-game-turned-thriller that came up a hair short, as the Tides beat the Knights 7-6 in Charlotte tonight.  The Knights were down 3-2 after four innings and a 54-minute rain delay.  But shoddy middle-inning relief couldn’t keep the Knights close and a rally in the bottom of the ninth scored two runs, left runners on the corners but couldn’t quite come all the way back.

Jonathan Stiever started for the Knights, and fell into his recent pattern of dominating in all but one inning.  But it is that one inning, in this case the fourth, when he lost control of his breaking pitches and got knocked around.

In the first, Stiever gave up singles to the game’s first two hitters, then struck out the next two batters, walked the next and finally got out of the inning unscathed with another strikeout.  Stiever had a 1-2-3 second and third, with three more strikeouts.  

Unfortunately, the fourth was a different story, as Stiever game up a home run, single, pop-out, home run, single and wild pitch. He then regained his control and struck out two more Tides’ batters, but the damage was done.

“It just seems like he has that one inning that gets to him and then he settles down,” Helms said.  “And of course he settled down and the rain came.  That’s the thing that is going to get him over the hump…being consistent with locating his pitches and attacking the hitter and when he does, that’s when we’ll see the real Stiever and what he can do.”

Burger’s Selection to the Futures Game

MLB announced this week that Burger has been selected as a participant in its Future Game, to be held during the All-Star break.  Helms could not be prouder.

 “It is well-deserved,” he said.  “Even though he hasn’t played in three years, he’s shown in two months the player he is now and what he’s going to be in the future.  The guys in the Futures Game are the up-and-coming stars, the next round of impact players to help teams win ballgames and Burger is one of those guys.  When he gets that opportunity to go to the Futures Game, that’s a special moment for him, his family and also us as coaches and his team.”

Scanning the Box Score

The Knights out-hit the Tides, 14-9, led by Tim Beckham with three hits, and two apiece from Blake Rutherford, Mikie Mahtook, Matt Reynolds and Zach Remillard.  Mahtook hit his ninth home run, one behind Burger and Beckham for the team lead, and Luis Gonzalez hit his fourth.  Beckham, Remillard and Seby Zavala also chipped in doubles.

Despite 14 hits and four walks, the Knights just couldn’t manage enough big hits. The team was 2-16 with runners in scoring position.

It was a rough night for Matt Tomshaw and Tyler Johnson, who gave up four runs, four walks and three hits over the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

Photo credit: Laura Wolff/Charlotte Knights

Want to know right away when we publish a new article? Type your email address in the box on the right-side bar (or at the bottom on a mobile device) and click create subscription. Our list is completely spam free and you can opt out at any time. Also, consider supporting FutureSox on Patreon! You can get early access to special articles and Patreon-only posts, in addition to more benefits.

Shop our exclusive merchandise! Show your support with FutureSox apparel.