White Sox Minor League Recap 5/28/2016: Coats leads Knights in comeback, Johnson turns in strong start, Massey leads the way offensively in Kannapolis

Both Charlotte and Kannapolis won their games in comeback fashion, clawing back in the ninth inning after being behind. Erik Johnson was superb in his start, and Jason Coats led the way in the Knights’ comeback. Intimidators Grant Massey had a night to remember, as he had three hits including a walkoff single in the bottom of the tenth.
Charlotte 4, Rochester 3
Erik Johnson was very good in his start, as he lasted 6.2 innings giving up three runs (one earned) on six hits with five strikeouts. Michael Ynoa got the win, as he fired 1.1 innings of scoreless ball, while Brad Goldberg struck out two in a scoreless ninth and earned his fourth save of the season. The Knights trailed 3 to 2 heading into the top of the ninth, but were able to score two runs to take the lead. The two runs came across off the bat of Jason Coats, who singled up the middle driving in J.B. Shuck and Matt Davidson. Coats also hit a solo homer in the top of the second, his fifth of the season. Other offensive standouts include J.B. Shuck, who had a multi-hit game including a double, and Tim Anderson, Matt Davidson, and Omar Narvaez who all had a hit on the night.
Jacob Turner makes the start this afternoon as the Knights square off with the Red Wings in the rubber match of a three game set.
Pensacola 5, Birmingham 4
David Holmberg got the start and went 4.2 innings, giving up three runs on seven hits with a pair of strikeouts. Matt Lollis did a nice job in relief, firing a scoreless inning while striking out two. At the dish, Adam Engel had a pair of hits, including a solo home run, his second of the season. Eudy Pina had three hits and a RBI, while Joey DeMichele had three hits as well. Catcher Sean O’Connell had a multi-hit game, including a two-bagger.
Southpaw Blair Walters toes the rubber this afternoon in the final game of a five game series with the Blue Wahoos.
Potomac 5, Winston-Salem 2
Thaddius Lowry struggled in his start, giving up five runs on seven hits over four innings of work. Kelvis Valerio and Andre Wheeler were stellar in relief, as they each pitched two scoreless innings. Valerio had one punch out on the night, while Wheeler had three. At the plate, Toby Thomas hit his third home run of the season, a two run dinger in the top of the seventh. Keon Barnum had two hits, including a double, while Mason Robbins and Brett Austin both had a double on the night.
Baseball Prospectus writer Adam McInturff was at the game and tweeted out some reports on Lowry. McInturff had Lowry’s fastball mostly low 90’s, but ranging from 89 to 94 with “run and control”. He also saw his slider as showing 45-grade look, and an average change when he maintained arm speed.
The Dash return to action this afternoon with the Nationals, as Jordan Stephens will make the start.
Kannapolis 5, Asheville 4 (10 innings)
Zach Thompson started for the Intimidators, giving up four runs on four hits over 5.1 innings of work. He uncharacteristically issued five free passes, which clearly did not do him any favors, but he did strike out seven. Ryan Riga threw a brilliant 1.2 innings in relief, but the big story out of the pen came from Brannon Easterling, who hurled three innings of scoreless ball while earning his third win of the season. The Intimidators came to life in the bottom of the ninth, as they scored two runs to tie the game after being down 4 to 2. They won the game in the bottom of the tenth on a Grant Massey single. Massey and Frank Califano both had three hits and a RBI, while Seby Zavala launched his fourth home run of the season, a solo shot in the bottom of the fifth. Other offensive standouts include Danny Mendick, Landon Lassiter, and Bradley Strong, who all had a pair of hits.
The Intimidators return to action this afternoon with the Tourists, as southpaw Tanner Banks is on the mound to start.
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