White Sox Minor League Update: May 30, 2019

Indianapolis Indians 4, Charlotte Knights 0

Danny Mendick: 0-for-4, 0 BB, 0 K (.263 BA, .776 OPS)
Daniel Palka: 0-for-4, 0 BB, 3 K (.264 BA, .947 OPS)
Zack Collins: 0-for-2, 1 BB, 0 K (.243 BA, .887 OPS)
Joel Booker: 2-for-2, 1 BB, 0 K **MVP** (.207 BA, .568 OPS)
Odrisamer Despaigne: 6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 K (3.54 ERA, 1.20 WHIP)

It was a bit of a bore for the first few innings, but only a bit because Despaigne was doing as well as he could. In the first four innings, he only allowed one hit (sure, it was a homer) and struck out four. Then, things got worse. While the Knights were not able to get anything going offensively, Despaigne gave up two more runs in the fifth. Even though he left with a quality start, the lead seemed insurmountable because of how poorly the bats had done. Through six innings, the Knights only collected one hit. Nothing changed or got better for in the final three frames, as Charlotte ended up losing, 4-0.

Birmingham Barons 5, Montgomery Biscuits 2

Luis Robert: 1-for-4, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K (.306 BA, .889 OPS)
Luis Basabe: 0-for-4, 0 BB, 0 K, (.229 BA, .586 OPS)
Luis Gonzalez: 0-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K (.230 BA, .612 OPS)
Gavin Sheets: 1-for-4, 1 GS, 0 BB, 0 K (.234 BA, .611 OPS)
Blake Rutherford: 0-for-3, 0 BB, 3 K (.177 BA, .505 OPS)
Kyle Kubat: 7 ²⁄₃ IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K **MVP** (1.38 ERA, 0.97 WHIP)
Alec Hansen: 1 ¹⁄₃ IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (3.12 ERA, 1.62 WHIP)

It was a real pitcher’s duel for the majority of the game, as both teams were held scoreless until the seventh inning. Kubat, though not overpowering, was able to get through 7 ²⁄₃ innings only allowing one run. However, a second run did cross the plate under Kubat, it was just kind of unearned, due to an error from Kubat. Why that counts as an unearned run, when it’s the pitcher making the error, does not make sense. However, the 2-0 Barons deficit did not last long. Birmingham scored five runs in the eighth to take a 5-2 lead, capped by a Gavin Sheets grand slam. Sheets’s fourth home run of the season was the difference-maker in the three-run win.

Winston-Salem Dash 10, Carolina Mudcats 5

Tyler Frost: 2-for-5, 1 HR, 2 R, 0 BB, 2 K **MVP** (.228 BA, .704 OPS)
Nick Madrigal: 2-for-4, 2 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 2 SB (.279 BA, .742 OPS)
Steele Walker: 1-for-3, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 SB (.229 BA, .680 OPS)
Cristian Castillo: 5 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K (3.64 ERA, 1.40 WHIP)

From the get-go the Dash were down, 1-0, but that quickly evaporated. Tyler Frost led off the bottom of the first with a solo home run, his fifth of the season. Frost apparently did not like the fact the game was still tied in his next at-bat, as he singled and then came around to score from a Steele Walker RBI single. Unfortunately, the hits Castillo kept giving up, eight through five innings, was just too much to keep the Mudcats off the board, as they tied the game in the fifth. But then, the Dash offense exploded, scoring six runs in the fifth inning to basically end the game. The Dash bullpen would run into some trouble in surrendering three runs, but thanks to the fifth-inning barrage, Winston-Salem survived for a 10-5 win.

Game 1: Hickory Crawdads 5, Kannapolis Intimidators 3

Ian Dawkins: 1-for-3, 0 BB, 0 K (.338 BA, .856 OPS)
Lenyn Sosa: 0-for-3, 0 BB, 0 K (.224 BA, .594 OPS)
Corey Zangari: 1-for-3, 1 HR, 0 BB, 1 K (.156 BA, .602 OPS)
Luis Curbelo: 1-for-3, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K **MVP** (.189 BA, .567 OPS)
Jonathan Stiever: 5 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (4.73 ERA, 1.42 WHIP)

This one did not go as planned for Jonathan Stiever and the Intimidators, especially in an abysmal first inning. Stiever allowed two runs in the first, with both runs coming off of wild pitches. So the I’s were in a hole solely because of Stiever. Meanwhile, the I’s bats were silent for the first four innings. It didn’t help that right before the I’s finally broke through, Stiever ran into more trouble, allowing two home runs in the fifth that added up to three more earned runs and a 5-0 hole. Luis Curbelo did strike quickly after Kannapolis fell behind by five, hitting a two-run homer in the fifth. Two innings later, Corey Zangari added a home run of his own, his second of the season. But it was not enough in the seven-inning game, as the I’s dropped the opener, 5-3.

Game 2: Kannapolis Intimidators 2, Hickory Crawdads 1

Ian Dawkins: 2-for-3, 0 BB, 0 K (.343 BA, .863 OPS)
Gunnar Troutwine: 2-for-3, 0 BB, 1 K (.287 BA, 771 OPS)
Luis Curbelo: 1-for-3, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K (.191 BA, .573 OPS)
Jason Bilous: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K **MVP** (2.54 BA, 1.45 WHIP)
Bennett Sousa: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (1.73 ERA, 1.35 WHIP)
Andrew Perez: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K (1.65 ERA, 1.35 WHIP)

It was a sort of bullpen game, but the nightcap was an I’s winner. As a reminder, this game was only a seven-inning game. Jason Bilous, who was a starter last season, made his first start and it was a beaut. He went four good innings, while allowing no runs to help keep the I’s in the game. Though he was not credited the win, Bilous left with a two-run lead after Gunnar Troutwine doubled home a runner and Corey Zangari drove in the second run. Bennett Sousa did allow a run in relief, but he and Andrew Perez were able to keep the lead intact in order for the I’s to split the day.