White Sox Minor League Update: May 9, 2018

Leading off: Bad news on the injury front as 3B Jake Burger, the White Sox’s first-round pick in the 2017 draft (No. 11 overall), tore his left Achilles tendon again as he continued rehabbing from the original tear he suffered during spring training in February. The recovery window goes back to the original 12-month mark, meaning Burger would be back playing again in May 2019, barring any further setbacks. White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said the long-term prognosis remains positive and he expects Burger to have “no restrictions” once his leg heals.

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Charlotte Knights 4, Gwinnett Stripers 1

Charlie Tilson (.227): 2-for-5, 2 R, SB (7)

Jacob May (.219): 1-for-1, 1 BB, SB (5)

Juan Perez (.233): 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB

Jake Elmore (.208): 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB, SB (2)

Eddy Alvarez (.311): 1-for-4, 1 RBI

W: Dylan Covey (3-1, 2.76 ERA), 6 1/3 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K ***MVP***

S: Jeanmar Gomez (2, 0.96 ERA), 1 1/3 IP, 1 H, 2 K

Dylan Covey was the true star of this one, striking out nine while allowing just one run on four hits and carrying his quality start into the seventh inning. Charlotte’s offense jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning after a sacrifice-fly RBI from 1B Matt Skole. Two innings later, the Knights tacked on their second run of the game on an RBI groundout from 3B Patrick Leonard, which would prove to be all the offense necessary despite adding a run in the seventh and ninth innings. Charlotte finished with six hits and only six strikeouts in a day that featured several productive at-bats.

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Birmingham Barons 16, Pensacola Blue Wahoos 3

Ryan Brett (.286): 2-FOR-6, 1 RBI, 2 R

Zack Collins (.247): 2-for-4, 2B, 1 R, 2 BB

Eloy Jimenez (.346): 2-for-3, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB

Keon Barnum (.147): 1-for-1, 3 RBI, 1 BB

Seby Zavala (.282): 2-for-6, HR (9), 2 RBI, 2 R

Matt Rose (.268): 2-for-5, 2B, 2 R

Trey Michalczewski (.286): 0-for-3, 1 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB

Jameson Fisher (.247): 2-for-3, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB

Nick Basto (.148): 0-for-4, 2 RBI, 1 BB

Danny Mendick (.274): 2-for-3, HR (6), 4 RBI, 2 R ***MVP***

W: Jordan Stephens (4-3, 2.95 ERA), 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 K

Many baseball experts, including Ken “Hawk” Harrelson, have said “hitting is contagious” and Wednesday’s ballgame certainly proved that. The Barons had 15 hits, including at least one hit in all eight innings they came to the plate. Off of those hits they plated even more runs (16), as even when players weren’t hitting they were providing quality at-bats. Only two Barons starters (Trey Michalczewski and Nick Basto) were held hitless yet they still accounted for a combined five RBI and five runs scored. Eloy Jimenez extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a pair of doubles -- which also extended his games with multiple hits streak to nine games -- before he was lifted for Keon Barnum who drove in three runs in two trips to the plate. Seby Zavala hit his team-leading ninth home run of the season -- his third straight game with a homer. Meanwhile, lost in the offensive masterpiece was RHP Jordan Stephens. Stephens tossed six shutout innings to get his ERA under three. His eight strikeouts marked his third straight start with at least seven Ks as he threw 70 out of 108 pitches for strikes.

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Winston-Salem Dash 10, Salem Red Sox 8 in 10 innings

Blake Rutherford (.333): 2-for-5, GW HR (2), 5 RBI ***MVP***

Micker Adolfo (.322): 1-for-4, 2 R, 1 BB

Gavin Sheets (.288): 1-for-5, 1 R

Ti’Quan Forbes (.260): 1-for-4, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB

Nate Nolan (.210): 2-for-4, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R

Mitch Roman (.310): 3-for-3, 3 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB

Tanner Banks (5.06 ERA): 6 2/3 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K

BS: Zach Thompson (3, 2.60 ERA), 1 1/3 IP, 4 H, 3 R (1 ER), 1 K

Blake Rutherford’s three-run home run in the 10th inning gave the Dash a sweep of the Red Sox at Haley Toyota Field for their fifth straight win and eighth win in the last nine games. Rutherford’s heroics wouldn’t have been possible if not for a 13-hit Dash attack, including 3 RBI from Mitch Roman as well as a quality start from Tanner Banks. Unfortunately for Banks, closer Zach Thompson blew the save -- albeit without much help as only one of the three runs scored off of him was earned as Winston-Salem made three errors on the night.

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Kannapolis Intimidators 10, Greenville Drive 2

Nolan Brown (.327): 2-for-5, 3 RBI, 1 BB

Laz Rivera (.353): 3-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB

Evan Skoug (.212): 3-for-5, 2B, 3 R

Justin Yurchak (.240): 2-for-2, 3 R, 3 BB ***MVP***

Johan Cruz (.224): 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB

W: Lincoln Henzman (3-2, 2.61 ERA), 6 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

A banner night for the I’s bats who pounded out 14 hits and accepted eight free passes while striking out just five times. RF Nolan Brown and SS Laz Rivera wreaked havoc at the top of the order, combining for five hits and five RBI. Meanwhile, 1B Justin Yurchak reached base five times (two hits, three walks) and scored three runs. Starting pitcher Lincoln Henzman turned in his second straight quality start and third in his last four outings, firing six innings and allowing two runs on eight hits.