White Sox Minor League Update: April 13, 2019

Indianapolis Indians 9, Charlotte Knights 7

Spencer Adams: 4 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
Ian Hamilton: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 K (L,0-1)
Charlie Tilson (CF): 1-for-3, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
Danny Mendick (3B):1-for-4, 2B, 1 BB, 1 K
Nicky Delmonico (LF): 0-for-3, 2 R, 2 BB, 1 K
Zack Collins (1B): 1-for-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K **MVP**
Ryan Cordell (RF): 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 1 K

It was a disappointing loss for the Charlotte Knights at Indianapolis, in a game attended by almost all of the normal Chicago White Sox beat writers, as well as our own Joe Resis.

The Knights pitching was the main problem tonight, because even when the Knights offense rallied back to lead, Indianapolis would come right back. Starter Spencer Adams didn’t have the fire tonight, allowing a homer in the bottom of the third, but it could have been worse, as he got the team out of some serious trouble in that inning, stranding a couple of runners on base. Pitcher Ian Hamilton came on in relief and allowed three hits and two runs, getting the loss for the Knights.

There was a little excitement when Zack Collins (playing first base tonight) blasted a three-run homer in the top of the first.

Collins has been on fire for the Knights, with five home runs for the season so far. Looks like many more to come. The boys started scoring some more runs in the seventh, tying the game 7-7 when Danny Mendick doubled, Nicky Delmonico walked, and Ryan Cordell sent them both home with a double to left field, later scoring himself on a wild pitch. That wasn’t enough, though, because Indianapolis scored two more runs in the bottom of the seventh to regain the lead at 9-7.

It wasn’t only rough pitching that got Charlotte in trouble tonight (16 hits surrendered), but the gloves. Five errors by the Knights just won’t cut it; Seby Zavala had two (both fielding and throwing), with the rest coming from Collins, Nicky Delmonico and Adams. Just gotta clear your head of this one, guys. Tomorrow is another day.

---

Birmingham Barons 4, Tennessee Smokies 2

Felix Paulino: 6 ²⁄₃ IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Matt Tomshaw: 1 ¹⁄₃ IP, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (W, 1-1)
Matt Foster: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (S,1)
Joel Booker (LF): 2-for-4, 2B, 1 RBI, 0 K **MVP**
Laz Rivera (SS): 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 K
Luis Gonzalez (CF): 2-for-4, 3B, 1 RBI, 1 K
Blake Rutherford (RF): 1-for-3, 1 R, 0 K
Ramon Torres (2B): 1-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 K

The Barons and Smokies have been going back and forth this series so far, but Birmingham came on top tonight thanks to great relief pitching and clutch hits. To start the bottom of the first, Luis Gonzalez singled on a line drive to right field and stole second, scoring on a Gavin Sheets single for a 1-1 tie.

Meanwhile, starter Felix Paulino only allowed two runs: an RBI double in the first and a homer in the fourth.

Back to the bats: González came through again in the bottom of the sixth, with an RBI triple to score Laz Rivera, tying the game 2-2. And that’s when things really got good, because there a couple more clutch hits in the seventh: Ramon Torres had a line drive single sending Blake Rutherford home, Joel Booker had a single to left field getting Alfredo Gonzalez to score.

Barons relief by Matt Tomshaw and Matt Foster stamped the Smokies out the rest of the way, securing the win. The five-game series ends tomorrow night.

---

Winston Salem Dash 4, Potomac Nationals 0

Kyle Kubat: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 5 K (W, 1-0) **CO-MVP**
José Nin: 2 IP, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K (H,1)
Luis Robert (DH): 3-for-4, 2B, 3B, 3 R, 0 K **CO-MVP**
Nick Madrigal (2B): 4-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 0 K **CO-MVP**
Tyler Frost (CF): 1-for-4, 2B , 2 K
Craig Dedelow (LF): 1-for-4, 0 K
Jordan George (RF): 1-for-3, 1 R, 0 K

This game really showed off Winston-Salem’s all-around talents. Everybody’s All-Everything, Luis Robert, started things off with a double in the first, eventually scoring after Jameson Fisher grounded into a double play.

Starter Kyle Kubat had a stellar night, allowing only two hits, with no runs and five strikeouts. Winston scored two more runs in the fifth inning, off of a Daniel Gonzalez double play sending Jordan George home (double-play offense, twice!) and a Nick Madrigal RBI double getting Robert back in. (Robert had his eighth multi-hit game this season. Eight. In nine games.)

Robert came through again with a triple in the seventh inning, and again was driven in by Madrigal (single to right). What a duo these two are! Madrigal had a hot night, at the plate going 4-for-4 with 2 RBIs for Dash Boys!

Relief pitchers José Nin and Will Kincanon held down the fort to preserve the win. Couldn’t ask for a better game.

---

---

Hickory Crawdads 6, Kannapolis Intimidators 5

Konnor Pilkington: 6 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K **CO-MVP**
Vince Arobio: 2 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 2 HR, 1 BB, 3 K
Bennett Sousa: 2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K (L,0-1)
Ian Dawkins (LF): 2-for-5, 1 R, 1 K
Steele Walker (CF): 2-for-5, 1 K
Lenyn Sosa (2B): 1-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 K
Gunnar Troutwine (C): 2-for-4, 2B, 1 BB, 1 K
Luis Curbelo (SS): 1-for-5, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 K **CO-MVP**

The Intimidators had a tough, extra-inning loss tonight in Hickory Crawdad territory.

The I’s drew first blood when Luis Curbelo reached on a fielding error by Crawdads 2B Jonathan Ornelas, sending Gunnar Troutwine home in the top of the second.

Starter Konnor PIlkington had himself a good outing, with eight strikeouts in six innings. Pilkington only allowed one run, a solo homer by Pedro González in the third.

The ballgame was tied 1-1 going into the seventh, with Pilkington done for the night. Vince Arobio came on, and everything turned. Arobio allowed a walk and two homers in the seventh, making the game 4-1, Crawdads.

Nothing more happened until the ninth, when Amado Nuñez reached on a fielding error, Troutwine walked, and Curbelo sent them all home with a three-run bomb! (Curbelo’s homer was the Kannapolis Intimidators first homer of the season. SSS’s Dan Victor was at the game, with fun, “friendly-fire” footage of the blast:

Arobio was warmed up and put down three strikeouts before Bennett Sousa came in to close the game out, and close out he did. Kannapolis went into extras. Who doesn’t love Free Baseball.

Ian Dawkins started the 10th on second base, with Steele Walker up to bat, where he singled to get Dawkins to third. Lenyn Sosa had a sac fly to center field, scoring Dawkins and putting the Intimidators in position to steal one.

Unfortunately, Gonzalez scored on an infield single to Curbelo, sending the ballgame into the 11th, when Hickory got the walk-off win on a double to left.

Extra-inning losses are the worst. Hope the Intimidators can jump back for tomorrow’s afternoon game.