The Killer Z’s had big games, as did a pair of Knights hitters on a split day on the farm…
Charlotte 8, Gwinnett 6
The Knights maintained their 2-game grip on first place behind the continued resurgence of Matt Davidson and Tim Anderson. The former posted a 3-hit, 2-double day, and his nice .269/.355/.490 line is far better than anything he posted in his first two years in Charlotte (though he’s still striking out 28.3% of the time on the year – but a reasonable 21.7% in May). The latter had another multi-hit game and I feel like a broken record reporting that, as in May he’s hitting .369, posted a high-for-him 5.6% walk rate. He also added his 10th stolen base on the year. Jason Bourgeois, Omar Narvaez and Andy Parrino added a pair of hits each, with Bourgeois going yard.
Chris Volstad started and posted a typical outing for him this year, allowing a couple earned runs in 5 innings with minimal walks (1) and strikeouts (3). Michael Ynoa etched a scoreless ninth to finish the job, and he’s looking more and more like a call-up candidate when a need arises in Chicago.
The Knights will send Anthony Ranaudo to the mound for Friday’s tilt.
Montgomery 7, Birmingham 3
The Barons put up all three of their runs in the first, but watched their opponent take the lead and hold it the rest of the way. Nick Delmonico homered for the second straight game, part of a three-hit day. The 23-year old corner infielder has had the best overall season at the plate in the entire Sox system thus far, posting a .344/.404/.648 line with 7 long balls, despite playing in a pitchers’ park. He’s ready for AAA, once a slot opens up.
Tyler Danish had a tough time of it in his start, allowing five earned runs (3 on a home run) in six innings, though he did continue to avoid the walks (1) and forced his opponent to pound grounders (11:3 GO:FO ratio).
The Barons have Jordan Guerrero going to the bump today.
Myrtle Beach 4, Winston-Salem 3
The Dash rallied late but couldn’t get it done in this one, going 0-for-5 w/ RISP. Mason Robbins (2-4, 2B) and Keon Barnum (2-4) collected the team’s multi-hit efforts.
Jordan Stephens went 5 innings, giving up four earned runs on a whopping nine hits. Kelvis Valerio added three scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
3rd-ranked White Sox prospect Spencer Adams goes for the Dash tonight.
Kannapolis 10, Asheville 7 (F/10)
Seby Zavala went ham, with his first career 4-hit game including a triple, and even picked off a baserunner at third base from behind the plate. The other “Killer Z”, Corey Zangari, hit his 7th long ball of the year and did not strike out in his five plate appearances – with the home run being the 3-run difference-maker in the 10th. Johan Cruz, Antonio Rodriguez, Landon Lassiter and Danny Mendick all had 2-hit days as part of a 15-hit Intimidators’ attack.
Starter Johnathan Frebis got hit around a bit, lasting just 3.2 IP while giving up 4 earned on 9 hits (he did also strike out 5). All three relievers (Drew Hasler, Yelmison Peralta and Brannon Easterling) allowed a single run each, but it was enough to hang on.
Enigmatic righty Luis Martinez gets the nod for the I’s this evening.
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