White Sox Minor League Update: June 26, 2018

Leading off: Some video of Knights RHP Michael Kopech’s nine strikeouts on Monday night:

A good read on OF Luis Robert’s adjustment to minor-league baseball and what he thinks about the future of the White Sox:

On the injury front, Barons RHP Dane Dunning (elbow soreness) will undergo a MRI after departing his last start early. White Sox Director of Player Development Chris Getz was cautiously optimistic the injury won’t be too serious. Dunning is 5-2 with a 2.76 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 62 innings over 11 starts since his promotion to Double-A.

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Durham Bulls 6, Charlotte Knights 4

Jose Rondon (.263): 1-for-4, HR (6), 2 RBI ***MVP***

Eloy Jimenez (.286): 2-for-4

Mason Robbins (.274): 2-for-4, 2B, 1 R

Jake Elmore (.278): 2-for-4, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R

L: Carson Fulmer (3-4, 4.46 ERA), 4 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 6 BB, 4 K

Carson Fulmer’s control issues returned as the Knights fell behind early and couldn’t complete a comeback on Tuesday night. Fulmer gave up three runs in the first inning and only lasted four frames, allowing five runs on four hits while walking six Durham batters. Fulmer threw 90 pitches, 50 for strikes, in his fourth Triple-A loss of the season. Charlotte made a game out of it after falling behind 5-0 by putting up four runs in the fifth inning capped by Jose Rondon’s sixth home run of the season and second in as many nights. Eloy Jimenez has a pair of singles to raise his Triple-A average to .286 since his promotion. Jake Elmore has now reached base in 19 straight games.

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Birmingham Barons 5, Montgomery Biscuits 3

Luis Alexander Basabe (.280): 2-for-5, 1 R, 1 SB (1)

Zack Collins (.259): 1-for-4, 2B, 1 RBI

Danny Mendick (.251): 1-for-3, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 SB (11)

Bryant Flete (.266): 1-for-2, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB

Alex Call (.167): 1-for-3, HR (2), 1 RBI, 1 BB ***MVP***

Alfredo Gonzalez (.286): 2-for-4, 2B, 1 RBI

W: Matt Tomshaw (3-4, 5.92 ERA), 6 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

S: Colton Turner (2, 0.48 ERA), 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Tied up in a back-and-forth affair going to the sixth inning, Alex Call hit a two-run blast that proved to be the game-winner and the Barons prevailed on Tuesday night. Call’s home run was his second of the season. OF Luis Basabe and C Alfredo Gonzalez each contributed a pair of hits with Basabe scoring a run and stealing a base and Gonzalez driving in one run. C Zack Collins came through with an RBI double and Danny Mendick stole his 11th base of the season. Starting pitcher Matt Tomshaw picked up the win with a quality start, allowing three runs over six innings while Colton Turner earned his second save of the season.

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Frederick Keys 3, Winston-Salem Dash 2 in 10 innings

Luis Gonzalez (.471): 2-for-4, 2 2B, 1 BB

Micker Adolfo (.280): 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 BB

Gavin Sheets (.263): 3-for-5, 2B, 1 R

Yermin Mercedes (.255): 1-for-3, 2 BB

Ti’Quan Forbes (.269): 1-for-3, 1 RBI

Tanner Banks (2.70 ERA): 7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K ***MVP***

L: Kyle Kubat (2-1, 1.98 ERA), 2 2/3 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

One night after the Dash plated 19 runs on 20 hits, their bats did a 180 scoring just two runs on eight hits in a losing effort in extra innings. It was another strong start from LHP Tanner Banks, as the southpaw fired seven innings for the third straight start, allowing just two runs. 1B Gavin Sheets had three hits, with a double, to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. RF Luis Gonzalez continues to absolutely rake at the plate with two doubles to raise his batting average to .471 since getting the promotion.

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Greensboro Grasshoppers 8, Kannapolis Intimidators 7

Nolan Brown (.314): 2-for-4, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 SB (6)

Luis Curbelo (.278): 2-for-4, 2B, 4 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB ***MVP***

Tate Blackman (.293): 1-for-3, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB

Tyler Frost (.210): 1-for-5, HR (11), 2 RBI

JJ Muno (.273): 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 SB (2)

Jhoan Quijada (4.00 ERA): 6 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K

L: Aron McRee (2-2, 4.40 ERA), 1 2/3 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Courtesy of a five-run third inning, the I’s held a 7-4 lead in the eighth but reliever Aron McRee ran into major problems and Greensboro plated four in the frame to hand Kannapolis the loss in Tuesday’s matinee. SS Luis Curbelo led the Intimidators’ attack with a pair of hits, including a double, four RBI plus a run scored. RF Tyler Frost belted home run No. 11 on the season -- a two-run blast in the third inning. Leadoff hitter CF Nolan Brown set the table all day with two hits and a walk while stealing two bases and scoring a pair of runs.

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Great Falls Voyagers 6, Billings Mustangs 1

Ian Dawkins (.289): 2-for-5, 2B, 1 R

Lenyn Sosa (.378): 2-for-5, 1 RBI

Logan Sowers (.400): 3-for-4, 2 R, 1 BB

Alex Destino (.200): 3-for-5, 2 3B, 3 RBI, 1 R ***MVP***

Ramon Beltre (.214): 2-for-5, 1 RBI, 1 R

Ryan Fitzpatrick (.200): 2-for-3, 2B, 1 BB

Travis Moniot (.235): 1-for-4, 1 RBI

W: Chris Comito (1-1, 4.80 ERA), 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K

An offensive explosion (16 hits!) by the Voyagers and a strong start by Chris Comito paved the way to victory over Billings on Tuesday. Six Voyagers starters had at least two hits with LF Logan Sowers and RF Alex Destino turning in three-hit efforts. Destino had two triples and three RBI to earn MVP honors over Sowers, whose three hits merely raised his batting average to .400 on the season. 3B Lenyn Sosa’s two hits (and one RBI) raised his average to .378, while CF Ian Dawkins is now up to .289 from the leadoff spot. Comito pitched five strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out four.

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DSL Padres 9, DSL White Sox 0

Jorgen Rosas (.167): 1-for-4, 2B

L: Francisco Benitez (0-1, 2.30 ERA), 2 2/3 IP, 0 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 6 K

A forgettable day for the DSL White Sox as they get shut out, manage just three hits and commit three errors. Starting pitcher Francisco Benitez had an interesting day, departing with a no-hitter after 2 2/3 innings but issuing five walks and giving up two runs. After Benitez departed, the bullpen would give up seven additional runs. 2B Jorgen Rosas had the team’s only extra-base hit with a double.