Knights Sign Timothy “Eli” Shenise to One-Day Contract, Make-A-Wishcome true

Prior to the start of Sunday’s game, the Charlotte Knights held a press conference to announce the signing of 12-year-old Timothy “Eli” Shenise to a one-day contract.

Sunday’s announcement – which was made in front of members of the Pineville native’s family, friends, media, as well as Knights players and staff, was made possible with help from Make-A-Wish.

Eli, who handled questions from the media better than some professionals, is battling Burkitt’s Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. He has successfully completed two rounds of treatments and has two rounds to go.

Eli’s wish was simple – he wanted to become a Charlotte Knights player for a day.

That wish came true when Knights manager Joel Skinner, presented Shenise with a one-day contract.

“That was great,” Skinner said. “His day started at 3:00 p.m. when we brought him in and he signed his contract. He went out and took some groundballs. Originally, he was going to take them with (Andy) Wilkins, but he got called up, so (Justin) Jerschele jumped in and gave him some lessons.”

From there, Shenise went on to play catch with the Knights pitchers as they loosened up for the game, before taking his place next to Knights starter Chris Beck to toss out the game’s ceremonial first pitch.

“It just made me smile,” Beck said. “I have a little brother that’s 9 and his name is Eli, so I could only imagine what that kid’s going through. I mean, I need to worry about throwing a baseball and how many hits I give up, and that kid’s battling for his life.

“He stood on the mound and delivered a strike, and that chokes you up a little bit.” 

Knights players wore bright green ribbon wristbands during Sunday’s game, which stood for all forms of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Shenise and his father spent the rest of the game in the Knights dugout.

“He jumped in just like one of the guys,” Beck said. “For a teenage kid that just walked into a Triple-a locker room, he handled it well. You just see his positive attitude and if you give up a home run or something, when you see that, there’s no reason to hold your head down about anything.”  

Following the third inning of Sunday’s game, the BB&T scoreboard asked the crowd to “Guess Shenise’s home town.” – a spot that the Knights have run all season with almost every player on their roster.

Although Charlotte lost the game 6-0, reports were that Shenise never missed a pitch.

“Once the game started, he was locked in,” Skinner said. “It was, all in all, a great day.”

Notes: Make-A-Wish® Central and Western North Carolina grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Since its inception in 1985, more than 3,500 local children have experienced a wish come true. For more information visit: www.nc.wish.org. 

For more on Eli's day, check out Elizabeth Arriero's story in Monday's metro section of the Charlotte Observer. 

Chris Beck finishes the season strong in Knights loss to Gwinnett

After a season full of steps forward, Chris Beck – the White Sox’ ninth-ranked prospect – wasn’t going to let his year come to an end on a low note.

On Sunday, the 2012 second-round draft pick held the Gwinnett Braves scoreless on four hits over five innings in an eventual 6-0 Knights loss in front of 10,574 at BB&T BallPark.

Three pitches into the game, Beck – who was activated off the disabled list earlier in the day – had already recorded his first strikeout and set the tone for an outing worth remembering.

“Easily the best command I’ve had all year, especially with my breaking stuff,” said Beck, who struck out a season-high six. “I’ve got to give some credit to (Knights pitcher) Taylor Thompson. He has this sneaky jump to the plate and I thought about doing that and worked on extending my stride and was able to keep the ball down in the zone with everything. It worked out well.”

The right-hander came in off his worst showing of the season: a 2/3’s of an inning effort in Gwinnett on Aug. 20, where he allowed five runs on four hits and four walks before being lifted due to back spasms.

Beck, who made his seventh start for the Knights (63-80) after beginning the year with Class AA Birmingham, flashed the Braves (64-77) a 95-mile-per-hour fastball, a changeup at 82 with good arm-side fade, and his signature power slider.

After allowing a hit in each of the first two innings, the 6-foot-3-inch, 225-pound 23-year-old found his rhythm in the third, striking out the side on 13 pitches.

Beck made it four Ks in a row when he got Braves’ No. 3 hitter and second-ranked prospect, Christian Bethancourt (2-for-4, 2 RBI), swinging on a slider to open the fourth. 

“Last Sunday of the season and there was no reason to hold anything back,” said Beck, who finished the year 1-3 with a 4.05 ERA in Class AAA. “I really needed to redeem myself after my last start and to go into the offseason with some momentum. The last (start) is easily forgettable after this one.”

Charlotte was without its top power threat in Andy Wilkins, who was called up by the White Sox earlier in the day, and it showed as Gwinnett starter Terry Doyle (4-4) held the depleted lineup scoreless on three hits over seven-plus innings. 

Jarrett Casey (1-3) allowed four runs (three earned) in 1 and 2/3 innings of relief to take the loss.

Asked what his immediate future might hold, Beck paused.

“No clue and I’m kind of good with that for right now,” he said. “Whatever the White Sox want to do, that’s their decision. Hopefully, my performance now and in the future can sway their mind one way over another, but there’s a plan there higher than I can reach with my mental capacity and I’m just going to leave it at that.”

Notes: The Knights will conclude their inaugural season in Uptown Charlotte Monday against the Braves. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. … Sunday’s crowd of 10,574 was the largest in BB&T BallPark history.

Game 143: Chris Beck and Charlotte Knights take on Gwinnett Braves

Here are the lineups:

Knights (63-79)

Jared Mitchell RF

Marcus Semien 3B
Josh Phegley C
Jordan Danks CF

Michael Taylor LF

Matt Tuiasosopo 1B

Matt Davidson DH

Justin Jirschele SS
Dan Wagner 2B
Pitching: RHP Chris Beck (1-3, 4.76 ERA)

Braves (63-77)

Jose Constanza LF
Todd Cunningham CF
Christian Bethancourt C

Joey Terdoslavich 1B

Sean Kazmar 2B

Brandon Boggs RF

Donnie Murphy 3B

Ozzie Martinez SS

Edward Salcedo DH

Pitching: RHP Terry Doyle (3-4, 3.33 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730 / WNOW 1030 AM (Spanish)

Today's roster moves: LHP Eric Surkamp optioned to Charlotte (Report TDB) ... INF Andy Wilkins had contract purchased by Chicago ... LHP Scott Snodgress had contract purchased by Chicago ... OF Moises Sierra completed MLB rehab assignment, activated by Chicago ... RHP Chris Bassett optioned to Charlotte (Report TBD) ... INF Luis Sierra activated off DL ... RHP Chris Beck activated off DL ... RHP Miguel Chalas acquired via trade with Baltimore Orioles, assigned to Charlotte.  

Knights use four-run eighth inning to complete sweep of Tides

There was no walk-off magic for the Charlotte Knights on Monday.

Instead, they took care of things in the eighth inning.

After receiving a walk-off home run from Josh Richmond in the 11^th inning on Saturday and a send-them-home single from Michael Taylor in the ninth on Sunday, it was an infield-single off the bat of Jared Mitchell in the eighth that led Charlotte to a 6-4 win over the Norfolk Tides.

Although not as exciting a finish as the crowds at BB&T BallPark had seen the past two nights, Monday’s eighth inning – which began with the Knights trailing 4-2 – was still one to watch for the 9,697 on hand.

Marcus Semien (2-for-3) got things started with a leadoff single and then came around to score on the very next pitch when Josh Phegley connected on his 23^rd home run of the season.

“I knew (Norfolk pitcher Ryan Webb (0-2)) was kind of a sinker-slider guy and I didn’t see him starting me off with a slider in my first AB against him,” Phegley said. “So I was just trying to see something hard, middle-in, and he threw it right in there and I got the barrel to it.” 

The Knights (62-76) weren’t done scoring there.

Following singles by Andy Wilkins (2-for-4) and Matt Davidson (1-for-3), Matt Tuiasosopo walked to load the bases with one out.

After a fielder’s choice, Mitchell stepped into the batter’s box and recorded one of the shortest singles of his season, squibbing a ball that at first looked like it was heading foul down the first-base line.

“First off, that was a horrible swing I put on it,” Mitchell said. “I started down the line thinking it’d be fair and then on the first bounce it took off to the right, so I slowed up, and then the next bounce it came right back toward the field and I knew I had to start running."

The throw from Webb to first base got away, allowing two runs to score. 

“We kind of just got lucky right there,” Mitchell said. “Sometimes that’s how the ball rolls for you.” 

With Knights regularly scheduled starter, Chris Beck, on the disabled list, Daniel McCutchen combined with Matt Zaleski to hold the Tides (61-75) to three runs (two earned) on nine hits over seven innings. 

Jarrett Casey (1-2) then came on to toss the final two innings to record his first Class-AAA win and complete a four-game sweep of Norfolk for the Knights, who will now head to Norfolk for two more against the Tides.

“You just try to create opportunities for each other and that’s what the guys have been doing lately,” Knights manager Joel Skinner said. “When you win games late, usually it’s because the pitching gives you a chance – and that’s what happened tonight.”

NOTES: Chicago outfielder Moises Sierra, who is currently on the DL (left oblique), began his MLB rehab assignment with the Knights and went 2-for-5 with a run scored and a stolen base. ... Prior to Monday’s game, the White Sox optioned Jordan Danks back to Charlotte. Danks hit .289 in 12 games with a home run and four runs batted in during his recent stint with the White Sox.

Game 138: Charlotte Knights vs. Norfolk Tides

Here are the lineups:

Knights (61-76)

Jared Mitchell CF

Moises Sierra RF

Marcus Semien SS

Josh Phegley C
Andy Wilkins 1B
Michael Taylor DH

Matt Davidson 3B

Matt Tuiasosopo LF

Dan Wagner 2B

Pitching: RHP Daniel McCutchen (0-1, 10.18)

Tides (61-74)

Julio Borbon CF
Quintin Berry LF
Dariel Alvarez RF

Steve Clevenger C

Jimmy Paredes 3B
Christian Walker 1B

Jemile Weeks 2B

Henry Urrutia DH

Ivan De Jesus SS

Pitching: LHP Chris Jones (7-8, 3.80 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Notes: Chicago outfielder Moises Sierra, who is currently on the DL (left oblique), is set to begin his MLB rehab assignment with the Knights tonight. ... Also on Monday, the White Sox optioned Jordan Danks back to the Knights. Danks hit .289 in 12 games with a home run and four runs batted in during his recent stint with the White Sox.  ... Chicago is off today, Adam Eaton (who is eligible to come off the DL) will likely take Danks' place on the Sox roster. ...  Eaton concluded his MLB rehab assignment with Charlotte on Sunday (although he has not officially been activated). He went 3-for-10 with a double, two runs scored, a stolen base and a RBI in two games. ... Marcus Semien has homered in three-straight games and is hitting .500 (9-for-18) over his last five, with three HR, six RBIs and four runs scored. ... With a win tonight, Charlotte would complete a four-game sweep of the Tides. The Knights have won back-to-back games on walk-off hits.  

Carlos Rodon dominant in second Class AAA start; Knights walk off on Tides

Carlos Rodon is running out of opportunities to show the White Sox a reason not to call him up when rosters expand in September.

Considered by many to be one of the most major league-ready arms in this year’s draft, Rodon, 21, has not disappointed. 

The former NC State Wolfpack star and No. 3 overall pick allowed one run on one hit over four innings, while striking out a career-high eight in an 8-7 Charlotte Knights walk-off win over the Norfolk Tides in front of 9,328 at BB&T BallPark on Sunday.

After struggling with his fastball control over the first two innings, Rodon settled in to strike out five of the final six batters he faced.   

“I felt good,” said Rodon, who threw 73 pitches (47 strikes). “I had better command (as the start went on). I struggled a little bit early, but I made an adjustment and it ended up working well.”

Rodon’s final pitch of the night was a fastball away that left Tides shortstop Ivan De Jesus shaking his head as he walked back to the dugout.

“After the second, I just tried (to focus on) staying in my arm slot and trusting my stuff,” Rodon said. “(My last pitch of the game) was just nice and easy. I knew it was my last, so I gathered myself and it was smooth and came out good.”

In two starts with Charlotte (7 IP), Rodon has allowed two hits, two runs, and struck out 11. Of his 128 pitches, 72 have been strikes.

With the game tied 7-7 in the eighth inning, the Tides ran out of available pitchers and turned to infielder Alexi Casilla, who worked around a leadoff single to toss a clean frame. 

Casilla lacked the same luck in the ninth.  

A night after striking out in a bases-loaded situation where a fly ball would have won the game for Charlotte, Michael Taylor came up with the bases loaded again and, this time, came through with a walk-off single that landed on the warning track in center.

“I had an opportunity (Saturday) to win the game and it didn’t work out,” Taylor said. “It’s nice to get it (again) the next day and kind of close the book on the last 24 hours or so.”  

Asked his thoughts on Rodon, Taylor – who has been in professional baseball since 2007 – offered high praise.

“(Rodon’s) been as advertised and I think he’s got great stuff,” he said. “To me, he looks a lot like (San Francisco Giants starter) Madison Bumgarner. I faced him in his first start in Double-A back in 2009 and they look similar -- except (Rodon’s) probably got a better slider.

“That would be one heck of a major league pitcher if that’s who he ends up being.”

Assuming he's kept on normal rest, Rodon would be in line to start again on August 30 in Gwinnett with a goal of making it through five innings.

From there, his future is up to the White Sox.

Notes: Adam Eaton (MLB rehab) finished Sunday’s game 1-for-5 with a RBI single, a stolen base and a run scored. In two games with the Knights, the White Sox centerfielder has gone 3-for-10 with a double, a RBI and two runs scored. … Marcus Semien, Jared Mitchell, Matt Davidson and Josh Phegley each homered in the game for the Knights. ... Semien has now homered in three consecutive games. 

Takeaways from Carlos Rodon’s second start with the Charlotte Knights

Here's a couple quick takeaways from Carlos Rodon’s second start with the Charlotte Knights…

• Rodon’s slider is a plus pitch that will miss bats at any level. I’m going to need to watch the tape again, but I don’t think I saw the Norfolk Tides put a single one in play. That said, you'd like to see him establish his fastball more. 
• The 21-year-old got better as the game went on. After starting six of the first eight batters off with a ball, Rodon recovered to close his outing by throwing a first-pitch strike to six of the last seven. He also struck out five of the final six batters.
• When Rodon is getting ahead of batters, he’s as good as any pitcher to come through Charlotte this season – including Pawtucket’s Henry Owens and Norfolk’s Kevin Gausman. 
• The eight K’s in four innings of work are a new career high for Rodon, who fanned seven (over 3.2 IP) in his final start with Winston-Salem.
• Rodon's line after two appearances with the Knights: 7 IP, 2H, 2ER, 5BB, 11Ks -- 128 pitches (72 strikes).
• Projecting forward, I would expected Rodon to throw again for the Knights on 8/29 in Gwinnett with a pitch slightly below 100 and then for him to join the White Sox in September.

Game 137: Carlos Rodon leads Charlotte Knights against Norfolk Tides

Here are the lineups:

Knights (60-76)

Adam Eaton CF
Jared Mitchell LF

Marcus Semien SS

Josh Phegley C
Andy Wilkins 1B
Michael Taylor RF

Matt Davidson 3B

Matt Tuiasosopo DH

Justin Jirschele 2B

Pitching: LHP Carlos Rodon (0-0, 3.00)

Tides (61-73)

Julio Borbon CF
Jemile Weeks DH
Dariel Alvarez RF
Christian Walker 1B

Francisco Peguero LF

Ivan De Jesus SS

Jimmy Paredes 3B
Alexi Casilla 2B
Brian Ward C
Pitching: RHP Josh Stinson (5-4, 5.33 ERA)

Game time: 5:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Notes: White Sox top prospect Carlos Rodon is making his second start with the Knights. He's scheduled to throw five innings, or 75 pitches (whichever comes first). The third-overall pick in this year's MLB draft allowed one run on one hit and three walks over three innings of work (55 pitches) on 8/19. ... Adam Eaton (MLB rehab) went 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored on Saturday. He's expected to return to Chicago on Tuesday. ... Knights attendance (648,568) will surpass the 650,000 mark tonight. 

Josh Richmond's 11th-inning two-run home run helps Knights walk off on Tides, 5-3

Josh Richmond wanted to make one thing perfectly clear as he walked down the hallway towards the locker room following Saturday night’s Charlotte Knights walk-off win.

“Shaving cream stings real bad!” he said as he beelined for a sink to wash out his eyes.

Properly rinsed, Richmond returned to talk to reporters about his 11^th-inning two-run home run that secured the Knights a 5-3 victory over the Norfolk Tides in front of a sold-out crowd of 10,521 at BB&T BallPark.

“I was just trying to get a good pitch to hit and not try to do too much,” said Richmond, who entered the game in the 10^th inning for Adam Eaton -- who eventually nailed him with a shaving cream-covered towel during the post-game celebration. 

“I knew if I got one good pitch to hit, that I couldn’t miss it. And, fortunately enough, I got a pitch over the middle and put the barrel on it.”

The home run was Richmond’s second in as many nights, but carried more meaning than his first.

“This was the first time I’ve ever hit a walk-off home run,” Richmond said. “I think I might have hit one in high school, but it was the walk-off-run rule, so nobody really celebrated and it really wasn’t that cool. That one tonight was pretty cool.”

Chien-Ming Wang got the start for the Knights and wound up with a tough-luck no decision after pitching well. The right-hander allowed three runs over seven solid innings, scattering nine hits, while striking out five.

Marcus Semien (3-for-3) knocked in the Knights (60-76) first two runs with a solo home run in the fourth inning and a sacrifice fly in the sixth. The homer was Semien’s 12th this season.

Semien’s sacrifice fly brought home Eaton, who joined the Knights on Saturday on a Major League rehab assignment from the Chicago White Sox. Eaton, who is on the disabled list with an oblique strain, finished the game 2-for-5 with a double to right-center field that just missed leaving the yard.

"It felt good to be out there," Eaton said. "I was happy to be making strong contact again after having not been out there for 14-15 days. It was good to get on base a couple times and score a run that helped get us back in the game.

"The first two at-bats tonight I was kind of taking inventory every time I swung -- just making sure everything was still there," Eaton continued. "Then the last couple at-bats, I was able to take a full swing without any (concerns)."  

Wang cruised through the game’s first two innings, allowing just one hit (a bunt single) and striking out two over 18 pitches – 16 of which were strikes, but ran into trouble, allowing a run in the third and two more in the fourth, before settling back down.

Charlotte pulled even in the seventh inning after Matt Tuiasosopo laced a two-out double to right-center field and then came in to score on Justin Jershele’s (2-for-4, RBI) second single of the afternoon.

Following an Eaton single, Jared Mitchell (0-for-4) laced a ball to right field, but right at Tides outfielder Dariel Alvarez to end the threat. Despite hitting two balls on the button, Mitchell saw his season-long seven-game hitting streak come to an end.

“Josh (Richmond) is a great teammate. He’s a guy that plays with a lot of energy and it’s been nice to see him get some big hits these last two nights,” said Knights manager Joel Skinner. “He spoiled a couple of good pitches and then got one he could hit and put a good swing on it.”

Notes: Eric Surkamp, who was optioned back to Charlotte earlier Saturday morning, tossed two hitless innings of relief to pick up his fourth win of the season with the Knights. ... White Sox No. 9 prospect Chris Beck was placed on the DL (retroactive to 8/21) on Saturday with back spasms. The club is hopeful the right-hander will only miss one start. ... White Sox top prospect Carlos Rodon will make his second start with the Knights on Sunday. He's scheduled to throw five innings, or 75 pitches (whichever comes first). ... Adam Eaton (MLB rehab) is eligible to come off the DL Sunday, but according to the outfielder, he's looking at Tuesday as his most likely return date to the Majors. 

Game 136: Charlotte Knights vs. Norfolk Tides lineups and notes

Here are the lineups:

Knights (59-76)

Adam Eaton CF
Jared Mitchell LF

Marcus Semien SS

Josh Phegley C
Andy Wilkins DH
Michael Taylor RF

Matt Davidson 3B

Matt Tuiasosopo 1B

Justin Jirschele 2B

Pitching: RHP Chien-Ming Wang (12-8, 4.21)

Tides (61-72)

Julio Borbon CF
Quintin Berry LF
Dariel Alvarez RF
Jimmy Paredes 3B
Christian Walker 1B
Henry Urrutia DH
Ivan De Jesus SS
Jemile Weeks 2B
Brian Ward C
Pitching: RHP Steve Johnson (0-1, 7.39 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Notes: Tonight marks Chien-Ming Wang's eighth start with the Charlotte Knights. He's gone 4-3 with a 5.77 ERA since signing with the White Sox and being assigned to Class AAA. ... White Sox No. 9 prospect Chris Beck has been placed on the DL (retroactive to 8/21). The club is hopeful the right-hander will only miss one start. ... LHP Eric Surkamp was optioned to Charlotte by the White Sox and replaced Beck on the 25-man roster. ... Adam Eaton (oblique) begins his MLB rehab assignment tonight. He's hit .304 in 94 games with the White Sox this season. ... Jared Mitchell has a hit in a season-high seven straight games. He's hitting .312 in 19 games since returning from Class AA Birmingham. ... White Sox top prospect Carlos Rodon will make his second start with the Knights on Sunday. He's scheduled to throw five innings, or 75 pitches (whichever comes first). ... 

Jared Mitchell continues remarkable turnaround; helps Knights roll over Tides

Through 53 games this season, Jared Mitchell was lost.

“I was actually seeing the ball really well, but I was so bad with my timing that once I made the decision to swing, everything was off, everything was out of whack and didn’t play,” said Mitchell.

Through June 14^th, the 25-year-old was batting just .199 and had struck out in exactly half of his at-bats (78 of 156).

The following day, word came that he'd been reassigned to Class AA Birmingham.

There, the former White Sox No. 1 prospect rediscovered his timing and rhythm at the plate, and he's returned to Charlotte looking more like the player Chicago thought it was getting with its first-round pick in 2009.

At no time was the change in Mitchell more apparent than in his first at-bat in Friday’s 7-1 Knights win over the Norfolk Tides in front a sold-out crowd of 10,448 at BB&T BallPark.

Mitchell worked the count full against Tides’ starter Tyler Wilson and then fouled off four consecutive pitches before taking a slider inside for ball four.

  

The 10-pitch at-bat – one he likely wouldn’t have been able to put up back in June – set the tone for the Knights to take a lead in the first inning that they would never relinquish.

“The improved timing has cleaned up my bat path,” he said. “When I’m on time, I don’t need to rush to get to pitches, so I’m able to see pitches deeper, so it’s helped that way.”  

Wilson – clearly frustrated that he’d lost Mitchell – started the Knights’ next batter, Marcus Semien, off with two straight balls, before running the count full.

This time, wanting to avoid back-to-back walks, he came with a fastball over the heart of the plate and the result was a 350-foot home run that sent fans scattering as it landed at the base of the grassy hill in left field.

“It means a lot when the leadoff guy makes the pitcher work like that,” Semien said of Mitchell’s at-bat. “(Wilson) didn’t have as good of command right after that. He didn’t want to walk me so he threw me a fastball and I was ready to hit it.”  

Mitchell would go on to finish the night 1-for-3 with two walks, a stolen base and three runs scored. The hit – a single to lead off the third inning – extended his current hitting streak to a season-high seven games.

He did not strikeout.

In 19 games since his return to Charlotte, Mitchell's hit .312 (25-for-80) with three home runs, 13 runs scored, 12 RBIs and 21 strikeouts.

“No one wants to go down a level, but I saw it as another opportunity,” Mitchell said. “You’d rather be doing that than being sent somewhere else. For me, it was another chance to get things figured out and iron things out and get going on the right path.”  

In 111 games split between Birmingham and the Knights this season, Mitchell has raised his average to .262 (103-for-393), with 18 home runs, 68 runs scored, 46 RBIs and 15 stolen bases.

“I’ve known Mitchell’s had the ability the whole time,” Semien said. “He’s just putting things together now and having good at-bats. As long as he keeps it up, we’ll be good.”

Game 135: Charlotte Knights vs. Norfolk Tides

Here are the lineups:

Knights (58-76)

Jared Mitchell CF

Marcus Semien SS

Josh Phegley C
Michael Taylor RF
Andy Wilkins 1B
Matt Tuiasosopo DH

Matt Davidson 3B

Josh Richmond LF
Justin Jirschele 2B

Pitching: RHP Bobby Doran (4-1, 6.03)

Tides (61-71)

Julio Borbon CF
Quintin Berry LF
Dariel Alvarez RF
Steve Clevenger C
Jimmy Paredes 3B
Christian Walker 1B
Henry Urrutia DH
Ivan De Jesus SS
Steve Lobardozzi 2B
Pitching: RHP Tyler Wilson (3-1, 2.96 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Series Probables: 

Saturday, 7:05 PM 

CHA -- RHP Chien-Ming Wang (12-8, 4.21) 
NOR -- RHP Steve Johnson (0-1, 7.39) 

Sunday, 5:05 PM 
CHA -- LHP Carlos Rodon (0-0, 3.00)
NOR -- RHP Josh Stinson (5-4, 5.33) 

Monday, 7:05 PM 
CHA -- TBD
NOR -- LHP Chris Jones (7-8, 3.80)

Notes: This is the eighth of nine series between the Knights and Tides this season. Charlotte has gone 8-9 against Norfolk. ... Carlos Sanchez, who hit .293 with Charlotte in 110 games this season has been promoted to Chicago and is in the White Sox starting lineup tonight, playing second base and hitting second. ... Sanchez took the roster spot of Gordon Beckham, who has been traded to the LA Angels for a player to be named later. ... Taking Sanchez' place on the Knights roster is Concord NC native Dan Wagner. The 2006 South Rowan High School graduate was hitting .203 in 80 games with Class AA Birmingham this season. ... White Sox CF Adam Eaton (oblique) is set to begin a MLB rehab assignment with the Knights starting on Saturday. 

Read more here: http://cltknightsinsider.blogspot.com/2014/08/game-119-charlotte-knights-vs-gwinnett.html#storylink=cpy

Micah Johnson done for season

A lingering left hamstring issue has shelved White Sox No. 4 prospect Micah Johnson for the remainder of this season, according to comments White Sox general Manager Rick Hahn made to MLB.com on Wednesday.

The Charlotte Knights second baseman felt pain in the front of his left knee during a swing this past Saturday that was later traced back to a hamstring issue by team doctors in Chicago.

"It turned out that even though the pain was from the front of the leg, it was actually related to the same hamstring strain, so we've elected to shut him down," Hahn told MLB.com. "He's done for the season. We're going to give the strain 4-6 weeks to heal, and we expect he should be 100 percent and go into next season without restriction."

Johnson hit .294 this season with five home runs, 44 runs batted in and 22 stolen bases over stints in Class AA Birmingham and Class AAA Charlotte.

The 22 steals (on 35 attempts) over 102 games are the fewest Johnson has posted in a season since he swiped 19 in 69 games in 2012. The 23-year-old led the minor leagues in 2013 with 84 steals.

"I do feel the hamstring injury took away a little bit of the explosiveness of his speed,” Hahn told MLB.com. “He's been fighting through it. He wanted to continue to fight through it. He did not want to be shut down and felt he could play through it, but we just thought it would be more prudent to allow the thing a chance to heal and put it completely behind him."

For his part, Johnson took to twitter on Tuesday night writing: 

A disappointing ending to season but not a disappointing season. Adversity taught me how to battle each game n find new ways to help team
— Micah Johnson (@Micah_Johnson3) August 21, 2014

He would later add: 

God has a plan. This means more time to work on my health and game for an explosive 2015. Refuse to blend in.
— Micah Johnson (@Micah_Johnson3) August 21, 2014

UNC Charlotte standout Tyler Barnette, now with Knights, has arm worth watching

Lost in the madness that’s been Carlos Rodon’s promotion and subsequent debut with the Charlotte Knights has been the arrival of another talented local arm in uptown Charlotte.

While Rodon led the N.C. State Wolfpack to a College World Series and went on to be selected by the White Sox third overall in this year’s Major League Draft, Tyler Barnette – a 14^th round selection in the 2013 draft out of UNC Charlotte – has taken a slightly different path.

“I wish there had been a camera on me so I could have seen my face,” Barnette said when asked what it was like to get the news he’d been promoted from Class A Kannapolis to the Knights this past Sunday.

Intimidators’ manager “Pete Rose Jr. called me in the office and just said, ‘Hey, you’re going to Charlotte,’” Barnett continued. “I was very shocked, but it was a good time.”

A native of Hickory, NC, Barnette, 22, was 2-8 with one save and a 5.08 ERA for the Intimidators in 25 games (11 starts) this season. However, since transitioning to the bullpen, Barnett had posted a 1.51 ERA in 14 appearances (35.2 IP) with 29 strikeouts.

“I feel like I’ve had more success because in relief you just go out there and throw what you’ve got and give it 100 percent every time for a couple innings and then you’re good,” said Barnette, whose fastball was clocked as high a 96 mph in his Knights debut in Durham on Sunday.

Scouts had already rated the young right-hander’s slider as a plus pitch and it’s only played up since his added velocity.

“There were definitely some butterflies on Sunday,” said Barnette, who tossed two perfect innings of relief with one strikeout in Durham. “But if you don’t have butterflies in this game you shouldn’t be playing it. It’s definitely a good thing and I was very excited.”

Prior to being drafted, Barnett compiled an 18-8 record with a 3.37 ERA in three seasons for the Charlotte 49ers. In 2011, he was named Atlantic-10 Freshman of the Year after tying for second in the conference with nine wins and finishing third with a 2.29 ERA.

Not surprisingly, Barnette’s phone has been buzzing with ticket requests almost non-stop since the news of his promotion. He’s expecting a cheering section of 40-plus at BB&T BallPark this weekend when the Knights return to town to host Norfolk.

“I feel like it’s going to beneficial for me,” said Barnette when asked if the large crowd would mean added pressure. “I’m going to have a lot of people supporting me and a lot of people wanting me to do well, so I have that on my side. I don’t think it’s going to add any pressure at all.”   

Carlos Rodon performs well, despite bout of wildness, in Charlotte Knights debut

Prior to his Knights debut on Tuesday, Carlos Rodon paused outside of BB&T BallPark just long enough to snap a few photographs.

He likes to grab a shot of each new stadium he plays in.

Two hours later, a sold-out crowd of 10,287 watched – and snapped its own photos – as the 6-foot-4-inch 21-year-old trotted to the pitcher’s mound to make his Class AAA debut in an eventual 10-5 Knights loss to Gwinnett.

Rodon held the Braves to one run on one hit in what was – without doubt – the most scrutinized, analyzed, and talked about three innings in the history of Charlotte’s newest Uptown attraction.

Rodon both walked and struck out three on 55 pitches, before being removed from the game five pitches short of his White Sox-mandated pitch count.

Moments after a first inning in which Rodon recorded two swinging strikeouts, .GIFs (computer talk for short videos played on a loop) of the left-hander’s slider running in on Elmer Reyes’ feet -- as the Braves’ shortstop waved at it helplessly – were making their rounds on the web.

“(Rodon) competed well and that’s the one thing you’re watching,” Knights manager Joel Skinner said. “It didn’t seem like anything looked uncomfortable to him at all. He just went about his business.”

Of the 28 sellouts at BB&T this season, none had come on a Tuesday prior to the arrival of Rodon, who has plenty of fans in the area, having led Holly Springs High to a North Carolina state championship before attending N.C. State.

Rodon led the Wolfpack to a College World Series before being drafted third overall by the White Sox this past June.

Since turning professional, Rodon has been fast-tracked, making two appearances with Rookie Arizona before joining High-A Winston Salem, where he made his way into four games (two starts).

Rodon then skipped Class AA all together to join the Knights, following a similar developmental path to that of 2010 first-round selection Chris Sale, who – like Rodon – appeared in four games in Winston-Salem before leapfrogging Class AA to join Charlotte.

Sale would go on to join the White Sox in September of that season.

“I’m just trying to get better and make my stuff better,” said Rodon -- who had a 1.86 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings with the Dash -- when asked about how aggressively Chicago has moved him through its system. “They challenge everyone in this organization. I’m not the only one.”

In his second inning of work, Rodon worked around a one-out walk to post a scoreless frame, before a bout of wildness in his final inning.

After two walks and a single loaded the bases with one out, Rodon managed the damage by inducing a sacrifice fly to right and an inning-ending pop to shortstop.  

“I felt good,” he said. “I struggled with the fastball command, but tried to make some adjustments. It was good to get my feet wet.

“Guys are more patient; they’re going to see what you have,” he continued. “Those first couple at-bats, they were taking pitches and trying to see the slider, see the changeup, and see the fastball and I noticed that.”

As Rodon walked off the mound following the third inning, 2,000 Jordan Danks bobbleheads, Tuesday’s Knights’ promotion, fittingly nodded their approval.

Having gone from pitching for the Wolfpack at the beginning of this season to one step away from the Major Leagues, its good that Rodon is taking the time to take pictures. When he looks back, it’s all going to be a blur. 

Game 132: Carlos Rodon starts for the Charlotte Knights vs. Gwinnett Braves

Here are the lineups:

Knights (58-73)

Jared Mitchell CF

Carlos Sanchez 2B

Marcus Semien SS

Josh Phegley C
Andy Wilkins 1B

Michael Taylor RF
Matt Davidson 3B

Matt Tuiasosopo DH
Josh Richmond LF

Pitching: LHP Carlos Rodon (First Class AAA Start)

Braves (56-73)

Jose Constanza LF

Elmer Reyes SS

Donnie Murphy 3B

Joey Terdoslavich RF

Sean Kazmar 2B

Brandon Boggs CF

Joe Leonard 1B
Edward Salcedo DH
Jose Yepez C

Pitching: RHP Kanekoa Texiera (3-4, 4.69 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Notes: NC State star and No. 3 overall pick in this year's MLB Draft, Carlos Rodon, will make his Charlotte debut tonight. Hearing that the White Sox are hoping to see three-to-four innings of work from the 21-year-old left hander. 

Read more here: http://cltknightsinsider.blogspot.com/2014/08/game-119-charlotte-knights-vs-gwinnett.html#storylink=cpy

Game 131: Charlotte Knights vs. Gwinnett Braves

Here are the lineups:

Knights (57-73)

Jared Mitchell CF

Carlos Sanchez 2B

Marcus Semien SS

Michael Taylor RF

Andy Wilkins 1B

Matt Tuiasosopo DH

Matt Davidson 3B

Miguel Gonzalez C

Josh Richmond LF

Pitching: RHP Chien-Ming Wang (11-8, 4.22 ERA)

Braves (56-72)

Jose Constanza LF

Elmer Reyes SS

Donnie Murphy 3B

Joey Terdoslavich 1B

Sean Kazmar DH

Brandon Boggs CF

Ozzie Martinez 2B

Steve Lerud C

Edward Salcedo RF

Pitching: RHP Shea Simmons (MLR) followed by RHP Aaron Northcraft (0-6, 5.94 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Notes: Today marks Chien-Ming Wang's seventh start with the Knights. He's gone 3-3 with a 6.19 ERA. ... Former UNC Charlotte standout Tyler Barnette tossed two perfect innings with a strikeout in his Knights debut on Sunday. A former starter, now turned reliever, Barnette touched 96 mph with his fastball. ... NC State star and No. 3 overall pick in this year's MLB Draft, Carlos Rodon, will make his Charlotte debut tomorrow. Hearing that the White Sox are hoping to see three-to-four innings of work from the 21-year-old left hander. ... According to White Sox Director of Player Development Nick Capra, Tyler Saladino's Tommy John surgery went well and the infielder has begun the rehabbing process. ... Matt Zaleski (74) passed Charlie Haeger (73) for most starts in Knights' history on Sunday. ... Josh Phegley is out of the lineup today and getting x-rays on his foot after taking a foul ball off it last night. ... Micah Johnson is in Chicago having his knee looked at. 

Read more here: http://cltknightsinsider.blogspot.com/2014/08/game-119-charlotte-knights-vs-gwinnett.html#storylink=cpy

Probables: Charlotte Knights vs. Gwinnett Braves

Monday, 7:05 p.m.

CHA - RHP Chien-Ming Wang (11-8, 4.22)

DUR - RHP Aaron Northcraft (0-6, 5.94)

Tuesday, 7:05 p.m.

CHA - LHP Carlos Rodon (First Start)

DUR - RHP Kanekoa Texeira (3-4, 4.69)

Head to head: This is the seventh of 10 series between the Knights and Braves. The season series is currently tied at seven games apiece. The Knights hold a 4-3 edge at BB&T BallPark.

Briefly: On Saturday, NC State alumni Carlos Rodon – the number-three overall pick by the Chicago White Sox in this year’s Major League Baseball Draft – was promoted to the Charlotte Knights. The Holly Springs, NC native will start on Tuesday. Rodon, 21, appeared in four games (two starts) for Winston-Salem (A+) and posted a 0-0 mark with a 1.86 ERA (9.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 15 SO). Assuming all goes well, Rodon is likely to join the White Sox come September. … In other local news, UNC Charlotte standout Tyler Barnette – a native of Hickory, NC – was promoted to the Charlotte Knights on Sunday from Single-A Kannapolis. Barnette, 22, was 2-8 with one save and a 5.08 ERA for the Intimidators in 25 games (11 starts) this season. In three seasons for the Charlotte 49ers, Barnette compiled an 18-8 record with a 3.37 ERA. … The Knights played Sunday’s game (their last home game) in front of 9,401 fans, which put the team over the 600,000 attendance mark for the season (607,903). They are the first MiLB team this season to pass 600,000. 

Carlos Rodon's promotion highlights a busy day for Charlotte Knights

Carlos Rodon, who was the No. 3 overall pick by the Chicago White Sox in this year’s Major League Baseball Draft, has been promoted to the Charlotte Knights and is slated to make his first start with the team on Tuesday, August 19 against the Gwinnett Braves at BB&T Ballpark.

Rodon, 21, appeared in four games (two starts) for Winston-Salem (A+) and posted a 0-0 mark with a 1.86 ERA (9.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 15 SO). Should Rodon perform well, there's every chance that he could see time with the White Sox in September.

The team also placed right-handed pitcher Erik Johnson on the disabled list today with what was described to reporters in Chicago as right shoulder fatigue.

Johnson, who entered the season as the White Sox top pitching prospect, is 5-7 with a 6.73 ERA in 20 starts for the Knights this season. He allowed seven runs on eight hits over 2.2 innings pitched in his last start back on August 12 at Syracuse.

Avisail Garcia's rehab stint with the Knights has also come to an end. The outfielder -- who is recovering from a torn labrum -- hit .340 (17-40) with three doubles, one home run and three RBIs in 13 games with the Knights on his Major League rehab assignment.

Notes: RHP Matt Zaleski has been activated off the DL. He is tied for first in Knights' history in games started (73) with Charlie Haeger and second all-time in franchise history in innings pitched (425.2) and walks (150). ... LHP Eric Surkamp was recalled to Chicago by the White Sox ... LHP Charlie Leesman has been designated for assignment. Leesman went 2-6 with a 4.10 ERA in 14 games (12 starts) for the Knights this season. ... Outfielder Josh Richmond has also been added to Charlotte’s active roster. Richmond was promoted from Double-A Birmingham, where he posted a .247 batting average with nine home runs and 51 RBIs in 100 games for the Barons. ... The Knights roster is now at 24.