Four of six teams in the minors were victorious last night, while Birmingham and Great Falls fell in their respective contests. Anthony Ranaudo and Tanner Banks were lights out in their starts, both earning wins. Winston-Salem and Kannapolis had solid nights offensively as well, as quite a few players played pivotal roles in leading their team to victory.
Charlotte 4, Indianapolis 0
Anthony Ranaudo was terrific once again, firing eight scoreless innings and giving up just five hits. Since being traded last month from the Rangers, he has posted a 2.27 ERA and given up just 29 hits in 43.2 innings of work. Will Lamb did a nice job following Ranaudo, pitching a scoreless ninth.
The Knights offense were only able to come up with three hits, but that did not matter as they still came away with the win. Brett Hayes had a double, run scored, and one RBI, while Leury Garcia singled, had a run scored, one RBI, and two walks. Matt Davidson also had a hit on the night, Danny Hayes had a run scored, and Vinny Rottino had a run scored and one RBI.
Scott Carroll makes the start tonight in game two of three with the Indians.
Mississippi 7, Birmingham 1
Brandon Brennan suffered his fourth loss of the season, giving up four runs on ten hits with two strikeouts. The bullpen was not much better, as Andre Wheeler and Robin Leyer combined to give up three runs in four innings of work.
The Barons only had four hits on the night, as Jeremy Dowdy led the way with a pair or hits. Adam Engel and Trey Michalczewski each singled, with Eddy Alvarez had the team’s lone RBI in the bottom of the seventh.
Southpaw David Holmberg makes the start tonight against the Braves in game four of a five game set.
Winston-Salem 6, Salem 1
Tanner Banks was terrific in his seven scoreless innings of work, giving up just three hits and punching out four. Since being promoted from Kannapolis, he has a 3.46 ERA in 13 innings of work over two starts.
At the plate, Mason Robbins, Zach Fish, and Cleuluis Rondon all had a pair of hits. Robbins led the way with a double, triple, and two RBIs, while Fish and Rondon both had a run scored. In addition, Marcus Davis had a hit and a RBI on the night, and Chris O’Dowd had one RBI and a run scored.
Kelvis Valerio makes his first start of the season tonight against the Red Sox after spending all of this season in the Dash bullpen.
Kannapolis 7, Lakewood 3
Luis Martinez earned his second win of the season, giving up two runs on six hits over five innings. The bullpen did a nice job, as they three pitchers combined to give up just one run over four innings of work. Jack Charleston had a pair of scoreless innings and struck out two, while Taylore Cherry pitched a scoreless ninth and punched out one.
Danny Mendick and Cody Daily were forces offensively, as both had two hits, including a double for each player. The bottom of the order was stellar as well, as eight and nine hitters Bradley Strong and Kyle Ruchim both had one hit and two RBIs. Landon Lassiter also was a contributor, going 1 for 3 with a double and a RBI.
The Intimidators and Blue Claws return to action tonight, and a starter has yet to be announced.
Helena 6, Great Falls 4
It was Opening Night on the road for the Voyagers, who suffered their first loss of the season. Max Beatty made the start, giving up six runs on nine hits over five innings of work. The bullpen did a great job, as Fernando Gallegos, Ben Wright, and Richard McWilliams each pitched a scoreless inning.
Two new outfielders and top five selections in last week’s draft were excellent at the top of the order for the Voyagers, as lead off man Alex Call and two hitter Jameson Fisher both had a pair of hits. Brady Conlan and Sam Dexter both had two hits and one RBI, while collegiate teammates Anthony Villa and Nate Nolan both had one RBI.
The Voyagers and Brewers square off again tonight, and no starter has been announced for either team.
DSL White Sox 5, DSL Padres 3