Norfolk 13, Charlotte 9
The Knights mounted a furious late rally, but it was for naught as Norfolk’s lead was too much to overcome. Rehabbing starter Miguel Gonzalez was rocked over 4.1 innings, allowing seven runs (six earned), but on the bright side he did strike out seven and did not issue a walk. Chris Volstad entered the game for Gonzalez and didn’t fare much better, allowing six runs over the last 4.2 innings.
Utility player Jake Peter led the offense by going 4-5 and Slade Heathcott was perfect at the plate by going 2-2 with three walks.
With the loss, Charlotte’s playoff hopes became much dimmer, as they are now 2.5 games back with only four games left to play. Carson Fulmer hopes to get the Knights back in contention and will get the start on Friday.
Pensacola 11, Birmingham 8
Nolan Sanburn entered the contest with a very solid 3.03 ERA but unfortunately he was lit up for nine runs on ten hits and two walks. The offense responded and kept it close by matching Pensacola in hits (15) and Joey DeMichele led the team by going 4-5. Courtney Hawkins blasted a three-run home run and first baseman Keon Barnum also went yard for his 4th home run of the year. Trey Michalczewski went 2-5 with a double and Ryan Leonards went 2-4 with two doubles.
Blair Walters will toe the rubber as the series continues on Friday.
Salem 9, Winston-Salem 8 (11 innings)
The Dash and the Salem Red Sox picked up the game suspended from Wednesday in the 11th inning and Zack Collins immediately doubled and scored on a Toby Thomas single to grab the lead. However, Drew Hasler allowed two runs in the bottom of the inning as Salem walked off. It spoiled a great start from Tanner Banks who went seven innings and allowed two runs while striking out six and walking none. Zack Collins also had a fantastic game, hitting the aforementioned double and he walked four times.
Winston-Salem 7, Salem 2
Unfazed by the disappointment of the result of game one, the Dash rolled the first place Salem Red Sox in the game two. Outfielder Mason Robbins finished a home run short of the cycle and went 3-5 with four RBI’s. Zack Collins went 2-5 to increase his slash line with the Dash to a impressive .264/.413/.491 and Landon Lassiter went 1-3 with two walks.
Starter Zach Thompson earned the win thanks to 6.2 innings of two-run ball. Thompson struck out five, walked none, and allowed six hits. Reliever Ryan Riga threw 2.1 scoreless innings and his only blemish was one hit against him.
Kelvis Valerio will be the starter as the Dash start their last series of the year against Carolina.
Lakewood 2, Kannapolis 0
Alec Hansen lost a pitchers duel thanks to a throwing error he committed and the Kanny offense was stymied for only one hit. Hansen’s error let two unearned runs to score, but otherwise he was very impressive. ESPN’s Keith Law was in attendence and had this to say on twitter:
I’m assuming White Sox RHP Alec Hansen’s night is done. If he’d pitched and looked like this all spring he’d have gone in the top 20 picks.
— keithlaw (@keithlaw) September 2, 2016
Antonio Rodriguez had the Intimidators only hit and also swiped a bag.
Kannapolis faces off against the Delmarva Shorebirds for their last series of the season and Max Beatty will get the start on Friday.
Great Falls 8, Billings 6
The Voyagers scored six runs in the first two innings and held on for their 11th consecutive win to match the 1988 Great Falls Dodgers for the longest winning streak in the history of the affiliate. Jameson Fisher followed his big day on Wednesday by going 2-2 with a double and raised his batting line for his rookie season to .341/.434/.488. Joel Booker, a 2016 22nd round pick, went 2-4 with a double and a walk and is quietly having a great rookie season himself. The speedy outfielder is hitting .314/.407/.413 between AZL and Great Falls and also has stolen 38 bases in 41 attempts.
Starter Bernardo Flores earned the win, allowing four runs over five innings while striking out five and not issuing a free pass. The Voyagers bullpen was solid in relief, especially Jaider Rocha and Matt Foster. Rocha struck out the side in the 8th inning and Foster did the same in the 9th for his sixth save with Great Falls. The White Sox may have found something in Foster, as he has only allowed two earned runs over his first 29.2 professional innings. He has struck out 41 and limited opposing batters to a .121 average against him.
Chris Comito is tasked with getting the Voyagers their 12th straight win on Friday.
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