It was a dream line-up: Luis Robert, making his Charlotte rehab debut; Yermin Mercedes; Jake Burger, also making his first Charlotte appearance since his return from Chicago; and Micker Adolfo.
And all this firepower made it one of the more exciting games of the year for the Knights, though no amount of offense could have kept pace with an ugly implosion by the Charlotte pitching staff in a 14-5 blowout to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Marlins).
The Knights were actually down by a lone run going into the ninth, with Robert, Jake Lamb and Mercedes hitting second, third and fourth in the bottom of the inning. It had all the hallmarks of a big-time finish — until three Knights’ relievers gave up nine runs in the top half of the inning, courtesy of three hit batters, three walks, three singles and a home run.
Burger looked the best of the foursome, with a home run (368 feet, 100 mph exit velo) and single in four trips, along with one strikeout.
Robert showed a good eye, drawing a third-inning walk, and decent timing for a player who has been idle as long as he has, with a shot to the warning track in dead centerfield in the first. He also had a strikeout and was hit by a pitch in four trips to the plate.
Adolfo has a fair amount of swing-and-miss in his game and he struck out tonight twice in four at bats. But he is quite a physical specimen in person, with a linebacker’s body in a baseball uniform. And, despite his size, he appears to be athletic and a plus defender. At one point in tonight’s game, he showed off an especially strong, accurate arm when he almost nailed a runner at second base.
Robert’s defense is more of a well-known commodity, and he didn’t disappoint, with a couple of nice throws from the outfield.
The Jumbo Shrimp parlayed 12 singles, a double, a homer, five walks, four hit batsmen and five stolen bases into 14 runs against seven mostly ineffective Knights’ hurlers.
Jake Burger’s Second-Base Experiment
Manager Wes Helms said Burger will only play third base on the home stand this week, but would continue to get work at second base after that.
Trade Deadline Rumors
Helms has advised his team to avoid baseball websites and social media this week, and to disregard any rumors that they hear or read.
“Don’t play GM,” Helms told his squad. “If you see your name in a tweet, that doesn’t mean it is going to happen. And if you get traded, that means someone really wants you. Until something happens, just go out and play the game.”
I counted only two scouts in the stands tonight, despite being such a critical week. But one scout speculated that the turnout was so light because the Knights’ opponent this week, the Jumbo Shrimp, have so few major-league prospects on their Triple-A team.
Yermin Mercedes “Retirement”
Helms said Mercedes’ unexpected decision to “step away from baseball” was the result of frustration over his demotion. “He went up, was Rookie of the Month, hit a struggle and got sent down and it is going to be frustrating for any player,” he said. “Then you come here and you see guys going up and down and you start wondering things and his head was spinning.”
Who’s Hot — According to the Manager
Helms singled out two players who were recently promoted from Birmingham, Laz Rivera and Adolfo, as well as two players who’ve been on the roster all season, Mikie Mahtook and Nick Williams, for having put together quality at bats of late.
He also was enthusiastic about Zach Remillard’s recent power surge.
“It is kind of shocking because he’s never hit like that,” Helms said. “That’s a really, really good sign.”
And he said Blake Rutherford is beginning to “be a little more consistent and putting good at bats together.”
Injury Update
Luis Gonzalez is on the IL after injuring his shoulder diving for the ball at the end of the last home stand. In addition, Johan Cruz dislocated his shoulder on a swing, also on the last home stand. Because this is the second time it has happened in his career, the medical staff recommended surgery and Cruz is out for the season.
Photo credit: Jeff Cohen/FutureSox
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