White Sox Minor League Update: May 15, 2018

Leading off: Fun look in the tweet above at an Instagram post by Michael Kopech, sharing his goals for becoming a better pitcher.

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Toledo Mud Hens 3, Charlotte Knights 2

Patrick Leonard (.258): 2-for-4, 1 R

Mason Robbins (.273): 2-for-3, 3B, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB

Dylan Covey (2.33 ERA): 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K ***MVP***

L: Tyler Danish (1-2, 4.30 ERA), 1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER

Covey turned in another gem, allowing only one run (unearned) in six innings while striking out six, but Tyler Danish struggled in the seventh inning and the Knights fell on Tuesday. Charlotte was limited to six hits while striking out nine times in this one. RF Mason Robbins and 3B Patrick Leonard each had a pair of hits with Robbins contributing a three-bagger, driving in one run and scoring one run.

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Mobile BayBears 11, Birmingham Barons 5

Ryan Brett (.253): 1-for-5, 1 RBI

Zack Collins (.231): 1-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB

Eloy Jimenez (.321): 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 BB

Jameson Fisher (.274): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R, 1 BB ***MVP***

Nick Basto (.137): 0-for-2, 3 R, 3 BB

Danny Mendick (.284): 2-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB

L: Jordan Guerrero (1-4, 6.10 ERA), 6 IP, 10 H, 7 R (5 ER), 3 K

Trailing 6-0 after four innings, the Barons tried to claw their way back into it closing the gap to 7-4 after six innings but that was as close as they would get. LF Eloy Jimenez had one single along with two walks with the bases loaded, accounting for his two RBI. RF Jameson Fisher and SS Danny Mendick each had a pair of hits, but the Barons had trouble putting the bat on the ball striking out a whopping 18 times on the night. Starting pitcher Jordan Guerrero struggled in six innings of work, giving up seven total runs on 10 hits including a five-spot in the fourth inning.

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Buies Creek Astros 3, Winston-Salem Dash 1

Alex Call (.279): 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SB (1)

Micker Adolfo (.314): 1-for-4

L: Jimmy Lambert (3-3, 3.41 ERA), 6 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K ***MVP***

Quiet night for the Dash at the plate with just four hits while striking out 12 times. 1B Gavin Sheets went hitless but had the lone RBI for Winston-Salem with a groundout in the fourth inning. Starting pitcher Jimmy Lambert earned a quality start for his effort but the three runs he allowed in the sixth inning proved to be the difference.

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Asheville Tourists 14, Kannapolis Intimidators 12

Luis Gonzalez (.328): 2-for-5, HR (6), 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R

Johan Cruz (.236): 2-for-5, 3B, 2 R

Craig Dedelow (.270): 1-for-5, 2B, 1 RBI

Anthony Villa (.364): 3-for-5, 2B, 1 RBI, 2 R

Justin Yurchak (.254): 3-for-5, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 1 R ***MVP***

Michael Hickman (.252): 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 1 R

Nolan Brown (.339): 2-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 1 R

Blake Battenfield (1.59 ERA): 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K

BS: Luis Ledo (2, 5.82 ERA), 2/3 IP, 5 H, 5 ER

L: Jose Nin (2-1, 2.79 ERA), 2/3 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

The Intimidators battled back to tie the game at 12 in the top of the ninth inning before Jose Nin gave up a pair in the bottom half. Starting pitcher Blake Battenfield put forth a quality start with six innings, two earned runs allowed and seven strikeouts but the I’s bullpen was simply atrocious, giving up 11 runs to the Tourists over the final three innings after Battenfield departed. RF Luis Gonzalez stayed hot, hitting his third home run in the last four games. 1B Justin Yurchak was one of two I’s with three hits (3B Anthony Villa being the other) and finished with four RBI. Overall, Kannapolis’ offense pounded out 15 hits -- nine for extra bases -- and every starter but one had at least one hit with five having at least two hits.