White Sox Minor League Update: September 3, 2018

Leading off: A promotion from Charlotte to the White Sox (just not the one most people want, and the franchise should have made) ...

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Charlotte Knights 6, Gwinnett Stripers 1

Charlie Tilson (.244): 1-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB

Jake Elmore (.289): 2-for-4, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB

Patrick Leonard (.242): 1-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI, 1 BB ***CO-MVP***

Trayce Thompson (.213): 1-for-4, 2B, 1 R

Bryant Flete (.346): 1-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 R

Eddy Alvarez (.253): 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB

W: Jordan Stephens (4-7, 4.71 ERA), 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K ***CO-MVP***

Patrick Leonard doubled and drove in three runs, while Charlie Tilson, Jake Elmore and Bryant Flete each drove in a run to lead Charlotte to victory in their regular season finale. Starting pitcher Jordan Stephens finished the campaign with a quality start for the win, allowing just one run on five hits in six innings while striking out five Gwinnett batters. Eloy Jimenez did not play in this one, and he didn’t get called up to the White Sox, either. Unsure why he did not play, though I suppose it would be silly to risk a long-term injury in the last game of the season (just as it will be for the first few weeks of the 2019 season, but best not to second guess the master plan of the front office ...).

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Birmingham Barons 6, Biloxi Shuckers 4

Alex Call (.242): 1-for-4, 2B, 1 R, 1 BB

Danny Mendick (.247): 1-for-5, 1 RBI, 1 R

Zack Collins (.234): 1-for-5, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R

Trey Michalczewski (.253): 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB

Mitch Roman (.232): 1-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 R

Matt Rose (.183): 3-for-4, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R ***CO-MVP***

Keon Barnum (.202): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI ***CO-MVP***

Kodi Medeiros (3.60 ERA): 2 1/3 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, 2 K

W: Jake Johansen (2-4, 3.97 ERA), 2 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K

S: Brian Clark (4, 4.76 ERA), 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

The Barons closed out 2018 with a victory over Biloxi on Monday. Matt Rose (three hits including two doubles, one RBI, one run) and Keon Barnum (two hits including a double, two RBI) led the offensive charge on a 10-hit day. Zack Collins also contributed with a RBI double and a run scored. Starting pitcher Kodi Medieros couldn’t get out of the third inning, as he struggled with his control. Medeiros issued five walks while throwing 34 of 69 pitches out of the strike zone. Relievers Jake Johansen, Ian Clarkin and Brian Clark combined to allow just one unearned run over 6 2/3 innings.

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Winston-Salem Dash 5, Down East Wood Ducks 3

Luis Gonzalez (.313): 1-for-4, 2B, 1 R

Nick Madrigal (.306): 4-for-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 SB (6), 0 BB, 0 K ***MVP***

Blake Rutherford (.293): 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 1 R

Gavin Sheets (.293): 1-for-4, HR (6), 2 RBI

John Parke (4.24 ERA): 5 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K

W: Blake Hickman (3-3, 6.82 ERA), 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

S: Tyler Johnson (7, 1.45 ERA), 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Nick Madrigal had four hits, scored two runs and stole two bases, while Gavin Sheets hit a solo home run and the Dash added a second-half title to their 2018 accomplishments. It’s the first time since 2012 that the Dash won titles in both halves of the season. OF Blake Rutherford also had a pair of hits, drove in a pair of runs and scored a run to help the offensive attack. Closer Tyler Johnson pitched another scoreless inning to pick up save No. 7 of the season and bring his ERA down to 1.45. Postseason play for the Dash begins Wednesday night at 6 PM ET/4 PM CT, at Buies Creek.

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Kannapolis Intimidators 9, Hagerstown Suns 4

Luis Curbelo (.237): 1-for-4, HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB

Tate Blackman (.244): 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB

Craig Dedelow (.245): 1-for-5, 2B

Carlos Perez (.290): 3-for-5, HR (3), 1 RBI, 3 R ***MVP***

Michael Hickman (.241): 3-for-5, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R

Johan Cruz (.227): 2-for-3, 2 RBI

Parker Rigler (4.43 ERA): 3 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

W: Will Kincanon (3-1, 3.63 ERA), 1 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K

S: Jose Nin (10, 1.68 ERA), 2 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

The Intimidators win on Monday over Hagerstown, combined with West Virginia’s loss, made the I’s a playoff team. Power provided the final push to the postseason, as Luis Curbelo and Carlos Perez both connected for their third home runs of the season and Tate Blackman roped a two-run double. Perez’s homer gave the I’s a 3-0 lead they would surrender in the bottom of the fourth inning, while Curbelo’s provided some extra cushion in the ninth. The I’s used a four-run seventh inning to open the game up and never looked back. Relief pitchers Will Kincanon and Jose Nin were spectacular, combining to pitch 4 1/3 innings of one-run ball, while striking out six combined. The I’s begin their postseason Wednesday at Lakewood at 7 PM ET/5 PM CT.

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Billings Mustangs 7, Great Falls Voyagers 3

Romy Gonzalez (.255): 1-for-4, 1 R

Lenyn Sosa (.292): 1-for-4, 2B

Gunnar Troutwine (.325): 1-for-2, HR (2), 1 RBI, 2 BB ***MVP***

Micah Coffey (.257): 1-for-4, 2B, 1 R

Konnor Pilkington (5.25 ERA): 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

L: Jack Maynard (4-2, 3.00 ERA), 2/3 IP, 3 H, 4 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 1 K

The Voyagers scored all their runs in the third inning to take a brief lead before coughing it up and going on to lose. Gunnar Troutwine’s second home run of the season was the big blast in that third frame. Unfortunately, it was the pitching that did in the Voyagers in this one, as starting pitcher Konnor Pilkington only lasted two innings and reliever Jack Maynard couldn’t make it through one, though he didn’t have much help as two of the four runs he gave up were unearned. The Voyagers committed three errors, only managed five hits and struck out 14 times as a team. The Billings win clinched the second and final playoff spot in the Pioneer League North, so Billings and Great Falls will face off in the first round of the playoffs, in a repeat of 2016. The series kicks off on Friday.