8/24/16 Recap: Stephens sets career high in strikeouts

Charlotte 6, Durham 5
Starter David Holmberg struggled, but the offense scored three late runs and the Charlotte bullpen fired four no-hit, shutout innings to earn the win. The Knights got a boost from rehabbing catcher Alex Avila, who blasted a three run home run in the first inning. Jason Coats, playing in his first game in Charlotte since being sent down from Chicago, further reinforced the offense by going 2-3 with a walk.  Shortstop Eddy Alvarez had a perfect night at the plate, going 1-1 with two walks.
Holmberg allowed five runs over five innings, but reliever Juan Minaya struck out three batters over two shutout innings and Matt Purke finished the game off with two perfect innings.
The first place Knights have won four straight games and Terence Marin will look to keep the streak going on Thursday.
Montgomery 6, Birmingham 3
After firing three perfect innings, Spencer Adams had trouble the second time through the Montgomery lineup. However, Adams pitched into the 7th and finished with a line of 6.1 innings, four runs (three earned), on eight hits and no walks.
The Birmingham offense only had six hits and Joey DeMichele had half of them. DeMichele went 3-4 with a triple and drove in two runs.
James Dykstra will get the start as the Barons try to salvage a win in this series.
Frederick 2, Winston-Salem 0
Jordan Stephens pitched a gem of a game except for one pitch. Stephens allowed two runs on one swing, as Orioles prospect Aderlin Rodriguez took him deep in the first inning. However, Stephens composed himself and struck out a career high ten batters over just five innings while only allowing two hits and two walks. Stephens lead the Carolina League in strikeouts with 136 punch-outs on the season. Reliever Aaron Bummer pitched two scoreless innings in his second appearance for the Dash after being promoted from Great Falls.
The Dash offense was held to just three hits and Cleuluis Rondon had two of them, both singles. Catcher Zack Collins went 0-2 with a walk and Landon Lassiter went 1-4.
The Dash will send out Tanner Banks to start the game on Thursday.
Rome 7, Kannapolis 4
Starter Jimmy Lambert gave up five runs on six hits and three walks in just two innings as the Intimidators dropped the game to the Rome Braves. Luckily for Kannapolis, Johnathan Frebis came on in relief of Lambert and threw two perfect innings and Ian Hamilton threw two additional scoreless innings.
Alex Call led the offense by going 2-4 with a double and outfielder Jake Fincher went 1-3 with a double and a walk.
Brannon Easterling will get the start on Thursday as the Intimidators will try to avoid the sweep.
Great Falls 4, Helena 2
UDFA Aron McRee tossed six shutouts innings and his Cinderella rookie season continues. McRee struck out five and allowed five hits and one walk to lower his season ERA to 2.19. 2016 20th round pick Matt Foster struck out one in a perfect 9th inning for his 3rd save of the season.
The top of the Great Falls lineup got it done, as the 1-2 punch of Joel Booker and Mitch Roman each went 2-4.
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