White Sox Minor League Update: May 21, 2018

Leading off: The White Sox signed OF Michael Saunders and assigned him to Charlotte. Saunders, an All-Star with the Blue Jays in 2016, hit .202 with 6 HR, 21 RBI in 73 games between Toronto and the Phillies last season.

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Charlotte Knights 12, Norfolk Tides 6

Charlie Tilson (.230): 1-5, 2B, 1 R

Matt Skole (.250): 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 3 R

Kevan Smith (.283): 2-for-2, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 2 R, 3 BB

Patrick Leonard (.276): 2-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB

Mason Robbins (.244): 2-for-4, 3 RBI, 1 R, 1 SB (2)

Juan Perez (.205): 1-for-5, 1 RBI, 1 R

Eddy Alvarez (.269): 2-for-3, HR (2), 3B, 3 RBI, 2 R ***MVP***

Jacob May (.227): 2-for-4, 1 RBI

W: Jordan Stephens (1-1, 2.19 ERA), 6 1/3 IP, 5 H, 3 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 4 K

This one was, for all intents and purposes, over early after the Knights plated eight runs in the second inning. Every member of Charlotte’s starting lineup had at least one hit -- except DH Jake Elmore -- with six starters having a pair of hits. 2B Eddy Alvarez crushed his second home run of the season and tripled, finishing with three RBI on the night. RF Mason Robbins also drove in three runs while swiping his second bag of the year. RHP Jordan Stephens was strong, pitching into the seventh inning and only allowing one earned run with the other two crossing the plate as a result of an error by 3B Patrick Leonard.

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Montgomery Biscuits 7, Birmingham Barons 3

Zack Collins (.246): 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB

Eloy Jimenez (.328): 1-for-4, HR (8), 1 RBI

Matt Rose (.227): 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB

Trey Michalczewski (.283): 1-for-4, 3B, 2 RBI ***MVP***

Ryan Brett (.253): 1-for-3, 1 BB, 1 SB (1)

L: Ian Clarkin (3-5, 6.75 ERA), 5 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 5 BB, 3 K

Eloy Jimenez stayed hot, clubbing his eighth home run of the season and Trey Michalczewski came through with a two-run triple but that wasn’t enough on this evening as the Barons only managed five hits while striking out 15 times. Starting pitcher Ian Clarkin got hit around and struggled with his control, throwing 90 pitches but only 48 for strikes.

Prior to the game, according to the Daily Herald’s Scot Gregor, Birmingham placed C/DH Seby Zavala on the disabled list with a wrist injury. Zavala currently leads the Southern League with 10 home runs.

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Buies Creek Astros 4, Winston-Salem Dash 1

Alex Call (.272): 1-for-4, 1 R

Blake Rutherford (.307): 1-for-4, 1 RBI

Mitch Roman (.286): 1-for-2, 1 BB

L: Bernardo Flores (3-3, 2.90 ERA), 7 IP, 10 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K ***MVP***

A quiet night at the plate for the Dash, who only managed three hits (all singles) while striking out 11 times. Dash bats couldn’t provide any support for LHP Bernardo Flores, who turned in his sixth quality start of the season by going seven innings and allowing three earned runs. RF Blake Rutherford drove in the only run of the night for his 31st RBI of the season.

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Greensboro Grasshoppers 5, Kannapolis Intimidators 3

Laz Rivera (.373): 2-for-3, HR (5), 2B, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 SB (6) ***MVP***

Craig Dedelow (.268): 2-for-4, HR (3), 2 RBI

L: Lincoln Henzman (3-3, 2.96 ERA), 5 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

SS Laz Rivera did a bit of everything in this one, with his fifth home run of the season and his sixth stolen base. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for the I’s as the Grasshoppers scored five runs (four earned) off of Lincoln Henzman to secure the victory. LF Craig Dedelow also cleared the fences with his third homer of the year. Henzman’s outing ended a streak of six straight starts allowing two earned runs or less.