Toledo 3, Charlotte 2 (10 innings)
The Knights lost a heartbreaker as reliever Jairo Asencio gave up a run in the 9th inning to tie the game and another run in the 10th to end it. Starter Erik Surkamp was brilliant in a spot start for Chris Beck, who was pulled from the start because he is joining the White Sox for their doubleheader Saturday. Surkamp struck out seven Mudhens over five innings, only allowing one run, one walk, and two hits. Reliever Maikel Cleto came on for Surkamp and pitched three perfect innings, striking out one in the process. Cleto, who struggled with his command in the majors last season, has only issued three walks through 17 innings this season and has a sparkling ERA of 0.53. Carlos Sanchez continues to do nothing but hit in Charlotte, going 3-5 on the evening. Matt Davidson went 1-3 with two walks and Kevan Smith went 1-2 with two walks as well.
Birmingham 5, Montgomery 4 (10 innings)
Courtney Hawkins blasted a grand slam and the Barons bullpen pitched 3.1 perfect innings to grab the win Friday night. Starter Myles Jaye struck out six over 6.2 inning, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk. Reliever Miguel Chalas took over and dominated for 2.1 innings to earn the win, striking out four and allowed no hits or walks. Joey DeMichele hit an RBI single in the top of the 10th which proved to be the game winner. Cody Winiarski pitched a perfect bottom of the 10th to earn the save.
Winston-Salem 10, Myrtle Beach 6
The Dash offense has been a juggernaut over the past four games, racking up forty runs during that span. Friday they pounded out ten runs, thirteen hits, eight walks, and seven (!) steals. Starter James Dykstra had a uncharacteristically bad start, giving up six runs on nine hits and only lasting 4.1 innings. His bullpen picked him up however, as Brian Clark and Zach Isler combined for 4.2 scoreless innings of relief. Third baseman Trey Michalczewski was scuffling entering Friday’s game, hitting .232, but he raised his average 20 points with a monster game, going 3-4 with three doubles, a walk, and four RBI’s. the 1-2 hitters Adam Engel and Jake Peter set the table perfectly for Michalczewski, Engel went 2-4 with a walk and three stolen bases and Jake Peter went 2-2 with three walks and a stolen base.
Kannapolis 4, West Virginia 3
The Intimidators utilized the long ball and received a strong pitching effort from Thad Lowry and David Trexler to win Friday’s contest against the West Virginia Power. Lowry threw six innings without a walk, struck out four, and allowed two runs on five hits. Catcher Brett Austin hit his first professional home run in a 2-4 effort and Mason Robbins went 1-4 with a two-run home run to give the Intimidators just enough runs for the win.