Jake Burger is smokin’ hot! He clubbed his second home run in as many games, and third in the past five games, as the Knights fell 8-7 to the Durham Bulls. Burger also had a double and a walk in Saturday’s contest, raising his average to .226.
Burger’s power barrage is a welcomed surprise this early in the season. After all, it has been three years since he played in a competitive baseball game (excluding his time in the CarShield Collegiate League in 2020).
His six home runs have come across his first 13 games in triple-A Charlotte.
In addition to Burger’s blast, Mikie Mahtook hit a solo shot in the game tonight, and it was also his second homer in as many games.
Conversely, it was a short, unproductive night for another top White Sox prospect. Right hander Jonathan Stiever tossed just one inning, surrendering two hits and two earned runs.
As a result, the Knights needed a yoeman’s effort from the pen, and had a chance late before collapsing and losing yet another winnable game. The Knights pushed across three runs in the top of the 7th to take a 7-4 lead, but Connor Sadzeck promptly issued three walks and two runs in the bottom half of the inning.
Neither team scored in the 8th, though the inning was not without intrigue. Just two nights after reliever Nik Turley was tossed from the game after a heated exchange with home plate umpire Jacob Metz, it was Danny Dopico’s turn to argue a close call and get ejected.
Dopico was in a bit of a jam, but appeared to get an inning-ending strikeout. Both he and catcher Nate Nolan began heading off the field — but no strike call came. Dopico showed his displeasure by walking all the way to the third-base line before returning to the mound. After getting a strikeout with the next pitch, Dopico had some choice words for Metz, who was behind the plate again tonight. Metz wasted no time in tossing Dopico.
But the worst was yet to come. In the top of the 9th, the Knights had a runner on third with one out but could not push across any insurance. Then, in the bottom of the inning, down 7-6, the Bulls went to work against reliever Ryan Burr.
The first batter hit a towering foul ball down the left field line, and Luis Gonzalez made a valiant effort and got his glove on it after a long run and a slide, but couldn’t hold it. As things have gone lately, the batter — as well as the next one — proceeded to punch seeing-eye singles through the infield.
A groundball then found Marco Hernandez, who fired the ball home in plenty of time to get the batter — but Nate Nolan dropped the ball. A solid single to right field then ended the game.
Matt Tomshaw gets the ball for the series finale tomorrow for the Knights. The team is off Monday and then begins a six-game series at Norfolk on Tuesday.
Photo credit: Sean Williams/FutureSox
Want to know right away when we publish a new article? Type your email address in the box on the right-side bar (or at the bottom on a mobile device) and click create subscription. Our list is completely spam free and you can opt out at any time. Also, consider supporting FutureSox on Patreon! You can get early access to special articles and Patreon-only posts, in addition to more benefits.
Shop our exclusive merchandise! Show your support with FutureSox apparel.