White Sox Minor League Update: April 25, 2019

First off, some roster news for Charlotte:

Toledo Mud Hens 11, Charlotte Knights 7

Charlie Tilson: 1-for-5, 1 HR, 0 BB, 1 K (.375 BA, 1.001 OPS)
Danny Mendick: 3-for-4, 1 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K (.250 BA, .823 OPS) **MVP**
Dylan Cease: 3 ²⁄₃ IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 K (3.44 ERA, 1.20 WHIP)
Caleb Frare: 2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K (2.70 ERA, 1.35 WHIP)
Aaron Bummer: 2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (2.35 ERA, 1.17 WHIP)

Welp, not a good day on the bump today for Dylan Cease. He was not able to complete four innings as he saw six runs (four earned) cross the plate. He was off with his command, and was just too hittable as he walked three and allowed seven hits, including one homer. The bullpen was not much better. Juan Minaya came in for Cease and allowed a home run. Caleb Frare was a bit better, but he was still getting hit as he allowed four safeties. That was just kind of the story for Knights pitching tonight. In total, Knights pitching put 22 batters on — that is not a winning formula.

The offense tried to keep up, but they were unable to from the very beginning. It is not every day that a team hits four home runs and loses, but the Knights did just that. Danny Mendick led the way with three hits, including one of those four home runs. The Knights were able to make it a two-run game after the sixth, but nothing really came together for the team in the 11-7 loss.

Birmingham Barons

Rome Braves 3, Kannapolis Intimidators 2

Luis Basabe: 2-for-3, 2 BB, 1 K (.308 BA, .862 OPS)
Steele Walker: 3-for-4, 0 BB, 1 K (.361 BA, 1.028 OPS)
Lenyn Sosa: 0-for-5, 0 BB, 2 K (.203 BA, .474 OPS)
Bryce Bush: 2-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 SB (.169 BA, .513 OPS)
Luis Curbelo: 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K (.164 BA, .482 OPS)
Konnor Pilkington: 6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K (2.01 ERA, 0.76 WHIP) **MVP**
Jason Bilous: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER,0 BB, 1 K (4.70 ERA, 1.70 WHIP)
Zack Burdi: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (9.00 ERA, 1.50 WHIP)

Another sterling start for Konnor Pilkington down with the Intimidators. In six innings, Pilkington only allowed one run — a single in the first inning. After that, Pilkington only allowed two more runners to reach base.

However, the offense was also stymied, at least when runners were on base. In total, 13 Kannapolis hitters got on, including Luis Basabe who had two singles in his rehab start. The lone time the I’s scored came in the fourth inning, when Luis Curbelo and Ramon Beltre both drove in one runners as Kannapolis took a 2-1 lead. Unfortunately, in Zack Burdi’s rehab appearance, he did not fare well; Burdi pitched the eighth inning but proceeded to allow two runs, blowing his first save of the 2019 campaign as the I’s lost 3-2.