White Sox Minor League Update: April 27, 2019

Indianapolis Indians 8, Charlotte Knights 4

Jordan Guerrero: 2 ²⁄₃ IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 2 HR (L, 1-2)
Zach Thompson: 2 ¹⁄₃ IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 K
Charlie Tilson (CF): 1-for-4, 1 BB, 3 K
Alcides Escobar (DH): 2-for-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Daniel Palka (RF): 2-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 2K **MVP**
Zack Collins (C): 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K
D.J. Peterson (3B): 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 K
Ryan Goins (SS): 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K

The first-place Charlotte Knights couldn’t pull through for another victory over Indianapolis. Early trouble on the mound for the Knights lost them the win. Starter Jordan Guerrero allowed five earned runs in fewer than three innings, but he did collect himself seven strikeouts in that short time. Guerrero gave up two solo homers and had a throwing error on a pickoff attempt in the top of the third before being replaced by pitcher Zach Thompson (making his return to the Knights), who struck out the last batter to end the inning.

The Knights started putting some runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth, with a Daniel Palka RBI single to score Charlie Tilson, and an RBI single from Zack Collins to send home Alcides Escobar. Palka shined again in the fifth with a two-run double to right field. That would not help the Knights get ahead, as the Indians struck again in the seventh with a solo homer off of Dylan Covey. Covey pitched just two innings, so don’t consider him on the verge of getting a starting nod anytime soon. Indianapolis also got a two-run single off of Ian Hamilton in the ninth. The Knights finish the series against Indianapolis tomorrow afternoon. Let’s end it well, boys.

Montgomery Biscuits 3, Birmingham Barons 2

Bernardo Flores: 5 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HR (L, 1-3)
Matt Foster: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 3 K **CO-MVP**
Luis Gonzalez (CF): 2-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 0 K **CO-MVP**
Laz Rivera (SS): 1-for-4, 1 K, CS, PO
Trey Michalczewski (LF): 0-for-2, 1 R, 2 BB, 0 K
Ti’quan Forbes (3B): 3-for-4, 0 K
Brett Nicholas (C): 1-for-4, 2B, 1 R, 2 K

After losing a doubleheader yesterday to the Biscuits, the Barons failed to get a win tonight as well. Barons Starter Bernardo Flores had a decent outing, only giving up three runs in five innings, adding five strikeouts. Because the Barons batters couldn’t get those key hits to help out Flores, he would end up taking the loss. Matt Foster had two two solid inning in relief of Flores, with two scoreless innings and three strikeouts.

The Barons finally got a run in the seventh with a Luis Gonzalez RBI single to left to score Brett Nicholas. Birmingham would score again in the ninth when Nicholas’ GIDP scoredTrey Michalczewski. Birmingham fell short again, and now drop to 9-14.

Winston-Salem Dash 9, Frederick Keys 5

John Parke: 5 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K , 2 HR
Jake Elliot: 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 K (W, 2-0)
Luis Robert (CF): 1-for-5, 1 R, 2 RBI, 4 K
Nick Madrigal (2B): 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 0 K **MVP**
Craig Dedelow (LF): 1-for-4, 2B, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 K
Carlos Perez (C): 2-for-4, 2 R, 0 K
Alex Destino (DH): 1-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB, 0 K

Well, it might be time to get a little nervous about Luis Robert — or at least realize that his insane start to the season disappeared sometime during his recent injury spell, because he racked up another four Ks tonight, after four on Friday.

The good news is that Winston-Salem came through with the win over Frederick, thanks to clutch hitting and excellent relief pitching by Jake Elliot and Luis Ledo. John Parke had a rough start, allowing a solo home run and a two-run homer in the top of the first.

That set back the Dash, but not for long. Nick Madrigal was clutch, with an RBI single in the third to get the team rolling. Elliot replaced Parke in the top of the sixth and allowed an RBI double, but that would do no harm for the Dash.

Winston bats were strong in the sixth, with Craig Dedelow’s two-run double to start the inning off. With the bases loaded, Dedelow later scored on a free pass to Yeyson Yrizarri. A wild pitch scored Carlos Perez, and Luis Robert clocked a two-run double, later scoring on another wild pitch.

Madrigal (Mr. Clutch) would put another run on the board in the with an RBI single in the eighth to score Alex Destino. Ledo shut down shop for Winston in the ninth. It was a fun afternoon for the Dash Boys.

Kannapolis Intimidators 12, Rome Braves 5

Jonathan Stiever: 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 7 K (W, 2-2) **CO-MVP**
Wilber Perez: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (H, 3)
Steele Walker (RF): 2-for-5, 2B, 1 R, 1 K
Lenyn Sosa (SS): 2-for-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 K
Bryce Bush (DH): 1-for3, 3 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 2 K
Luis Curbelo (3B): 3-for-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, 0 K **CO-MVP**
Evan Skoug (C): 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
Ramon Beltre (2B): 2-for-3, 2 2B, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 0 K

The Intimidators lost the first two games of the series to Rome, but tonight they were fueled up, winning big time, 12-5. Starting pitcher Jonathan Stiever had himself a nice outing, going six strong innings with seven strikeouts and only allowing two earned runs for K-Town. Bats were flaming hot for the Intimdators, who drew their first blook in the third, with a Luis Basabe RBI single, chased by a Bryce Bush RBI single and a Luis Curbelo RBI double in the fourth. Curbelo’s clout gave Kannapolis a 3-2 lead.

Catcher Evan Skoug blasted his first homer of the season, a two-run bomb on a fly ball to right in the top of the sixth. Kannapolis scored five more runs in the eighth, thanks to a Curbelo RBI single, a balk to score Bush, an Amado Nuñez ground out sending Curbelo home, and RBI doubles from Ramon Beltre and Ian Dawkins. And the scoring was not done yet!

Curbelo would have a day, sending one out of the ballpark for a two-run home run in the ninth. Rome scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth, but the Intimidators were just too dominant today. Kannapolis finishes their series with the Braves this Sunday afternoon. End it strong, K-Town!