Leigh Valley 8, Charlotte 7 (13 innings)
The Knights built a lead thanks to home runs from Leury Garcia and Jason Bourgeois but the bullpen blew two save opportunities as Charlotte dropped the game to the Leigh Valley IronPigs. Starter Anthony Ranaudo struck out eight batters and allowed three earned runs over five innings of work. The eight strikeouts the most Ranaudo has recorded since he also struck out eight in his first start of the season.
Tommy Kahnle blew a 9th inning lead and after a Bourgeois home run in the top of the 10th and Matt Lollis also could not close the game out in the bottom of the 10th. Eventually, Brian Clark allowed a unearned run to score in the bottom of the 13th as the IronPigs walked-off.
The Knights will return home and send Jacob Turner to the hill to start a new series with the Pawtucket Red Sox.
Biloxi 4, Birmingham 1
Similarly to Ranaudo in Charlotte, James Dykstra struck out eight batters over five innings but came up short. Dykstra allowed three earned runs on six hits and two walks. The Barons offense had seven hits but could only generate one run. Adam Engel went 1-4 and swiped his 26th and 27th bag of the season and Brady Shoemaker added two hits in the loss.
Tyler Barnette and Robinson Leyer both had strong relief appearances, each throwing two scoreless innings and struck out seven batters combined.
Jordan Guerrero will start a new series for the Barons against the Chattanooga Lookouts.
Winston-Salem 7, Wilmington 3
Kelvis Valerio won his third start of the season and out-dueled the incredibly unlucky Zach Lovvorn. Lovvorn, a Royals prospect, gave up two unearned runs and is somehow 0-10 despite having a 3.51 ERA. Valerio pitched five innings and only allowed one run on six hits and three walks. Zack Burdi took over in the 6th and fired a 1-2-3 perfect innings, reportedly hitting 104 MPH. If true, 104 MPH would be in rarified status, with the current record being 105.1 MPH by Aroldis Chapman.
The Winston-Salem offense was fueled by a four hit performance by outfielder Mason Robbins who doubled and also stole a base. Robbins is now hitting .299 despite having a walk rate that would make Tim Anderson wince. Robbins has only taken ball four six times over 264 at bats in the 2016 season.
The Dash will send Jordan Stephens against the visiting Myrtle Beach Pelicans on Monday.
Kannapolis 3, Hickory 1
Starter Max Beatty threw 5.2 shutout innings, only allowing two hits and striking out six to lead the Intimidators to the series win. Catcher Seby Zavala went 2-3 with a walk and Micker Adolfo built off his huge day yesterday (3-5, HR) with a 2-4 day. Adolfo raised his season average with the Intimidators from .171 to .209 over two games. First baseman K.J. Woods hit a solo shot in the 7th to give Kannapolis a little breathing room.
Relievers Alex Katz and Tanner Mendonca tossed scoreless innings and closer Taylore Cherry closed the game out for his 9th save of the season.
Kannapolis will send Luis Martinez to the hill to start a new series against the Hagerstown Suns.
AZL White Sox 12, AZL Giants 1
The AZL Sox offense pounded sixteen hits and every member of the lineup got in on the action to easily rout the AZL Giants. The Sox were helped out by rehabbing former 1st round pick Slade Heathcott, who went 2-5 with a home run and drove in five runs. A couple of young international prospects broke out of slumps, as catcher Carlos Perez went 2-4 with a double and a walk and hulking OF Franklin Reyes also went 2-4 with a walk. 18 year-old 3B Maiker Feliz went 2-4 with a double and a walk. Feliz’s day raised his OBP to an impressive .469 and he has coaxed eight walks already this season.
2016 5th round pick Jimmy Lambert started the game and struck out six batters over three scoreless innings. The 21 year-old righty is probably due for a promotion, as he has overmatched AZL hitters with ten strikeouts over six innings and only allowed three hits.
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