clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

White Sox Minor League Update: July 31, 2018

A six-inning no-hitter from new acquisition Wilber Perez and another phenomenal start from Michael Kopech headline Tuesday’s action

By Year of the Hamster
Eloy, Overheard: “What do you mean wearing the Homer the Dragon costume is one of the boxes to check?”
Charlotte Knights

In the category of: Great Minds Think Alike

Norfolk Tides 4, Charlotte Knights 3 (11)

Ryan LaMarre (.282): 0-for-4, R, 2K

Eloy Jiménez (.376): 0-for-5, 2 K

Seby Zavala (.241): 1-for-5

Patrick Leonard (.231): 2-for-3, R, BB, K

Jake Elmore (.294): 2-for-4, 2B (14), 2 RBI, SB (7)

Michael Kopech (4.15): 7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 2 HR, 60 GS, 95 pitches/65 strikes **MVP**

L: Aaron Bummer (3.92, 2-3): 1 1⁄3 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, K

It was a good night for checking the boxes, at least on the pitcher’s mound. Kopech was delightful, down to that slick behind-the-back assist on a comebacker. The first extra frame went scoreless, but in the top of the 11th, Norfolk struck for two runs, and Charlotte could only get one back. The Knights were just 1-for-14 with RISP. The Tides won in spite of three errors. Leonard and Elmore, the No. 8 and 9 hitters, provided four of Charlotte’s eight hits on the night.

Birmingham Barons 0, Mississippi Braves 0

(suspended with two outs in the bottom of the third)

Alex Call (.297): 1-for-1, 2B (12)

Kodi Medeiros (3.06): 2 2⁄3 IP, 3 BB, HBP, K, 49 GS, 39 pitches/18 strikes

Winston-Salem Dash 3, Carolina Mudcats 1 (5)

Luis Gonzalez (.311): 1-for-3, 2B (14), 2 RBI, GWRBI

Laz Rivera (.286): 1-for-2

Yermin Mercedes (.288): 1-for-2, R

Gavin Sheets (.291): 2-for-2, 2B (22)

W: Kyle Kubat (2.27, 5-1): 5 IP, 5 H, ER, 3 K, 60 GS, 73 pitches/47 strikes **MVP**

Gonzalez, with a double with no one out in the bottom of the fifth before rains postponed the game, certainly was the most dramatic player of the Dash win. But the MVP must go to the untouchable Kubat, who was splendid in this truncated outing. The Dash pounced at the right time, scoring their first run in the fourth, and the final two on Gonzalez’s liner on the what turned out to be the last at-bat of the game.

Kannapolis Intimidators at August Green Jackets (ppd., rain)

Billings Mustangs 4, Great Falls Voyagers 3 (10)

Steele Walker (.241): 1-for-4, RBI, K

Logan Sowers (.329): 2-for-5, 2B (9), CF assist on an out at 2B **MVP**

Alex Destino (.232): 2-for-4, K

Ramon Beltre (.286): 0-for-4, 2 K, E (7)

Codi Heuer (5.87): 3 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 K, 54 GS, 40 pitches/25 strikes

Devon Perez (3.31): 3 IP, 2 H, 4 K

L: Austin Conway (4.05, BS 1, 0-1): 1⁄3 IP, H, 2R (1 ER), 2 BB

Just like Charlotte tonight, the Voyagers managed one run in extras, while their opponents scored two. It was a rough ol’ meltdown for Conway: Starting the 10th with a runner on second, he balked him to third, walked a batter, induced a ground out that put runners on second and third, then gave up a game-winning double. Sowers continues to be an everyday bright spot in Montana; Perez ain’t bad, either.

AZL White Sox 7, AZL Padres Second Team 5

Luis Robert (.333): 1-for-3, R, 2B (1)

Cabera Weaver (.236): 1-for-3, 2 R, BB, K

Bryce Bush (.442): 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 2B (4), 3 RBI, GWRBI, 2 BB, CS (2) **MVP**

Lency Delgado (.244): 1-for-5, 2 RBI, K, E (5)

Jose Colina (.182): 1-for-5, 4 K

Taylor Varnell (2.21): 3 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 5 K, HR, 28 GS

W: Brayan Herrera (2.45, 3-1): H, BB, 3 K

S: Rigo Fernandez (1.59, 4): 2 IP, H, 2 K

Robert was back in action, with a rehab assignment getting back on the field (as a DH) much sooner than anticipated. But Bush stole his thunder, with a monster offensive game. Varnell had a sloppy start, but Herrera and Fernandez, as well as setup man Yordi Rosario, were just perfect out of the pen, leading the AZL Sox to a comeback win.

DSL Reds 3, DSL White Sox 2

Harold Diaz (.286): 1-for-4, R, 3 K, SB (5)

Jose Rodriguez (.283): 2-for-4

Jhoneiker Betancourt (.255): 2-for-4, K

Wilker Perez (1.68): 6 IP, 3 BB, 3 KK, 73 GS **MVP**

Ruddy Rodriguez (21.60): 2⁄3 IP, 2 ER, 3 BB

L: Daneuris Lagrange (5.50, BS 1, 2-1): 1 2⁄3 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, K

When you’re a 10-40 team, crazy stuff happens that leads to losses. The Reds scoring a run in the top of the ninth to provide the difference isn’t actually crazy at all. But what is a little nuts is the fact that the White Sox lost in spite of picking off two Reds runners and throwing four out on attempted steals, having a clean fielding game compared to the Reds’s two errors — and even outhit the Reds, 6-5. Lagrange took the loss in a rough outing, but in spite of a 5.50 ERA he’s got two of the 10 wins for the Sox. After being acquired along with Kodi Medeiros in the Joakim Soria deal, Perez was awesome, giving up zero hits over six.

More From South Side Sox