White Sox Minor League Update: May 27, 2018

Charlotte Knights 4, Indianapolis Indians 3

Alex Presley: 1-for-4

Patrick Leonard: 0-for-3, 1 BB, 2 K

Michael Saunders: 0-for-4

Dustin Garneau: 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Casey Gillaspie: 2-for-3, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB **MVP**

Donn Roach: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

The Knights won again, televised on NBC Sports Chicago. Donn Roach is continuing to bounce back after his struggles in the beginning of May. His ERA is now down to 3.70, but there is not much hope for a promotion after Dylan Covey. Casey Gillapsie was able to account for three of the four Knights runs, though he has also lost all hope for a promotion with the White Sox. Just wait until the All-Star Break; the Knights will start to look like a team of the future again.

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Birmingham Barons 7, Jacksonville Generals 5

Zack Collins: 2-for-4, 1 BB, 1 K

Eloy Jimenez: 2-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K

Jameson Fisher: 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB

Matt Rose: 0-for-5, 1 R, 1 K

Tito Polo: 2-for-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 K **MVP**

Ian Clarkin: 6 ²⁄₃ IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB

Ian Hamilton: 1 ¹⁄₃ IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Not quite as dramatic as a go-ahead grand slam in the top of the ninth, but the Barons came back in another thriller. Ian Clarkin had his best start in more than a month, allowing two runs in 6 ²⁄₃ innings — but without a single strikeout. Most of the offense came in the sixth inning for Birmingham, but the fireworks were saved for Tito Polo in the eighth inning. With the game tied 5-5, Polo launched a two-run shot for the lead, and the Barons bullpen was didn’t budge from there.

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Potomac Nationals 4, Winston-Salem Dash 0

Joel Booker: 2-for-4, 1 K

Blake Rutherford: 0-for-4, 1 K

Micker Adolfo: 0-for-4, 2 K

Gavin Sheets: 0-for-2

Alex Call: 1-for-3, 1 K

Jimmy Lambert: 6 ²⁄₃ IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 K **MVP**

This was a stinker all-around for Winston-Salem. Only five hitters reached base, four via a hit. Joel Booker was able to reach base twice on two singles, but he was caught stealing once. Jimmy Lambert was not sharp today, even with the quality start: He walked four batters and was on the mound when four runners crossed the plate (one run earned). Micker Adolfo’s regression keeps coming in droves. His average is now down to .283, but that is still an improvement on last year’s breakout season.

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Game 1: Kannapolis Intimidators 11, West Virginia Power 0

Luis Gonzalez: 2-for-2, 1 HR, 4 R, 2 BB **MVP**

Laz Rivera: 1-for-4, 2 R, 1 BB

Craig Dedelow: 2-for-4, 1 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 K

Tate Blackman: 1-for-4, 1 R

Justin Yurchak: 0-for-4, 1 K

Evan Skoug: 1-for-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 K

Luis Curbelo: 0-for-3, 1 K

Blake Battenfield: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K

Will Kincanon: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

The first game of the doubleheader was a blowout from the beginning. Kannapolis shot first with a solo home run by Luis Gonzalez in the first inning (yes, I saw Solo). From that point on, Blake Battenfield did not need the other 10 runs. He was able to shut off the Power and only allowed five runners on base in six innings. Battenfield is now sporting a 1.57 ERA and is primed for a call-up after the draft. Craig Dedelow and Evan Skoug provided half of the offense with two swings of the bat: Dedelow added a three-run homer in the third and Skoug added a three-run bomb in the seventh. Will Kincanon, a 2017 11th round draft pick, made his season debut to close out the game.

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Game 2: Kannapolis Intimidators 2, West Virginia Power 1 (8)

Luis Gonzalez: 1-for-4, 1 R, 3 K

Laz Rivera: 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI

Craig Dedelow: 1-for-4, 1 K

Tate Blackman: 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 K **MVP**

Justin Yurchak: 0-for-2, 1 K

Yosmer Solorzano: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

Tyler Johnson: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 K

The I’s won the nightcap with outstanding pitching into extra innings. The entire pitching staff was terrific today, only allowing one run in 15 frames. Yosmer Solorzano, a middle reliever, got the spot start and calmed down West Virginia’s hitters for four innings. Tyler Johnson got the win, his fourth, and lowered his ERA to 1.71. Tate Blackman, the only Kannapolis hitter with a multi-hit game, drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth inning in the 2-1 win.