Thursday, July 23, 2015

Game 100 lineups: Charlotte Knights close out home series against Durham Bulls

The Charlotte Knights and Durham Bulls meet Thursday night at BB&T BallPark in uptown Charlotte.

Durham Bulls (49-48)
Boog Powell lf
Ryan Brett 2b
Mikie Mahtook rf
J.P. Arencibia 1b
Richie Shaffer 3b
Corey Brown cf
Nick Franklin dh
Hak-Ju Lee ss
Luke Maile c
Starting pitcher: Matt Andriese (1-1, 2.19)

Charlotte Knights (57-42)
Micah Johnson 2b
Drew Garcia ss
Jason Coats lf
Matt Davidson 3b
Matt Tuiasosopo 1b
Trayce Thompson cf
George Kottaras c
Chris Marrero dh
Tyler Colvin rf
Starting pitcher: Hector Noesi (0-0, 1.29)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV/ ESPN 730

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Game 99 lineups: Charlotte Knights look to clinch series win against Durham Bulls

Here are the lineups:

Bulls (49-47)
Ryan Brett 2B
Taylor Motter RF
Grady Sizemore DH
J.P. Arencibia 1B
Richie Shaffer 3B
Corey Brown CF
Mikie Mahtook LF
Nick Franklin SS
Luke Maile C
Pitching: Bradin Hagens (1-1, 4.26)

Knights (56-42)
Micah Johnson 2B (second in the International League with a .326 batting average)
Leury Garcia SS (batting .368 in July)
Jason Coats LF (hitting .309 in July with four home runs, 14 RBI and 10 runs scored)
Matt Davidson 3B
Matt Tuiasosopo DH
Trayce Thompson CF (second in the IL with 38 extra-base hits)
Chris Marrero 1B (batting .300 in July)
Kevan Smith C
Tyler Colvin RF
Pitching: RHP Scott Carroll (3-2, 2.06)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV/ ESPN 730

Notes: Tyler Saladino, who was promoted from Charlotte to the Chicago White Sox on July 10, extended his hitting streak to seven games on Tuesday with a 3-for-5 effort against the St. Louis Cardinals. In Chicago's 8-5 loss, Saladino, 26, hit his second home run in as many days. Since joining the White Sox, Saladino is hitting .355 with a .968 OPS and has entrenched himself as the team's starting third baseman.

Roster moves: Charlotte right-hander Shawn Haviland was traded on Wednesday to the Colorado Rockies organization in exchange for cash considerations. In 19 games (13 starts) for the Knights this season, he went 4-5 with a 4.19 ERA. His most recent outing came on Sunday against the Norfolk Tides, when he surrendered four runs (three earned) in 4 2/3 innings. Haviland signed with the White Sox organization on Jan 12. after spending the 2014 season in the Oakland Athletics organization.

In a corresponding move, first baseman Chris Jacobs of Class AA Birmingham was promoted to the Knights. In 11 games with the Barons, Jacobs batted .229. Jacobs was signed by the White Sox organization on Dec. 20 and started the season in High A Winston-Salem, where he hit .283 with three home runs and 27 RBI in 59 games.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Charlotte Hornets' Frank Kaminsky throws first pitch at Chicago White Sox game

Less than two weeks removed from playing in the NBA's Orlando Summer League, Charlotte Hornets' first-round pick Frank Kaminsky threw out the first pitch before Tuesday's Chicago White Sox major league baseball game.

Kaminsky, who attended Wisconsin and is from Lisle, Ill., grew up a White Sox fan. In addition to throwing out the first pitch before the game against the St. Louis Cardinals, he also took some swings in the batting cage.







Game 98 lineups: Durham Bulls at Charlotte Knights

Here are the lineups:

Bulls (49-46)
Boog Powell LF
Ryan Brett 2B
Taylor Motter RF
J.P. Arencibia 1B
Richie Shaffer 3B
Corey Brown CF
Nick Franklin DH
Hak-Ju Lee SS
Bobby Wilson C
Pitching: LHP Everett Teaford (4-6, 5.58)

Knights (55-42)
Micah Johnson 2B (his .333 batting average ranks second in the International League)
Leury Garcia SS (currently third in the IL with 27 stolen bases this season)
Jason Coats LF
Matt Davidson 3B (tied for second in the IL with 15 home runs this season)
Matt Tuiasosopo RF (has hit a team-leading six home runs in July)
Trayce Thompson CF
Chris Marrero 1B
Kevan Smith C
Tyler Colvin DH
Pitching: RHP Brad Penny (4-3, 3.94)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV/ ESPN 730

Monday, July 20, 2015

Game 97 lineups: Charlotte Knights open four-game series with Durham Bulls

Here are the lineups:

Bulls (49-45)
Boog Powell LF
Taylor Motter DH
Mikie Mahtook RF
J.P. Arencibia 1B
Richie Shaffer 3B
Corey Brown CF
Nick Franklin 2B
Hak-Ju Lee SS
Luke Maile C
Pitching: LHP Scott Diamond (9-3, 3.28)

Knights (54-42)
Micah Johnson 2B
Leury Garcia CF
Jason Coats LF
Matt Davidson 3B
Matt Tuiasosopo RF
Chris Marrero 1B
Kevan Smith C
Drew Garcia SS
Ethan Wilson DH
Pitching: RHP Erik Johnson (7-5, 2.73)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV/ ESPN 730

Notes: Micah Johnson was named the International League Batter of the Week on Monday after hitting .500 with seven runs scored, one home run and four stolen bases during the four-game week. Over his past five games, he has 12 hits and has scored eight runs. ... Trayce Thompson, who was removed in the bottom of the sixth inning during Sunday's game against the Norfolk Tides, is not in the Knights' starting lineup on Monday. After Sunday's game, Charlotte manager Joel Skinner said Thompson was removed from the game for precautionary reasons after dealing with leg cramps. Thompson leads the International League in games played, having played in all 96 of the Knights' games this season. ... Tyler Saladino, who was promoted from Charlotte to the Chicago White Sox on July 10, extended his hitting streak to six games on Sunday in Chicago's 4-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals. His lone hit during Sunday's game was his first major-league home run, which can be seen below. He is batting .308 in seven games with the White Sox.


Roster move: Right-handed pitcher Nate Jones was placed on the Knights' active roster on Monday as a part of his major-league rehab assignment. Jones, who had Tommy John surgery in July 2014, opened his rehab assignment with Advanced-A Winston-Salem. In three games with the Dash, he went 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA.  

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Game 96 lineups: Knights look to split four-game series with Tides

Here are the lineups:

Tides (52-40)
Henry Urrutia DH
Rey Navarro SS
Christian Walker 1B
Dariel Alvarez RF
Steve Clevenger C
Sean Halton LF
Michael Almanzar 3B
Julio Borbon CF
Derrik Gibson 2B
Pitching: RHP Zach Davies (3-5, 2.70)

Knights (53-42)
Micah Johnson 2B (has nine hits over his past four games)
Leury Garcia SS (hitting .348 in July)
Jason Coats LF
Matt Davidson 3B (leads International League third basemen with a .965 fielding percentage)
Matt Tuiasosopo RF
Trayce Thompson CF (one home run away from 100 in his minor-league career)
Chris Marrero 1B
Kevan Smith C
Tyler Colvin DH
Pitching: RHP Shawn Haviland (4-5, 4.09)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV/ ESPN 730

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Game 95 lineups: Norfolk Tides at Charlotte Knights

Here are the lineups:

Tides (51-40) 
Henry Urrutia RF
Rey Navarro 2B
Christian Walker 1B
Dariel Alvarez CF
Steve Clevenger DH
Sean Halton LF
Michael Almanzar 3B
Audry Perez C
Paul Janish SS
Pitching: RHP Tyler Wilson (3-5, 3.06)

Knights (53-41)
Micah Johnson 2B
Leury Garcia SS
Jason Coats LF
Matt Davidson 3B
Matt Tuiasosopo RF
Trayce Thompson CF
George Kottaras C
Chris Marrero 1B
Tyler Colvin DH
Pitching: RHP Hector Noesi (0-0, 0.00)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: WMYT/ MiLB.TV/ ESPN 730

Roster moves: Right-handed pitcher Kyle Drabek (5-5, 2.86) was placed on the disabled list on Saturday. The move is retroactive to July 15. Drabek's 2.86 ERA is the third lowest in the International League, and his .211 batting average against is the second lowest in the IL among starters. He was named the IL Pitcher of the Week for the week of July 6-12 after going 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA in two starts.

Taking Drabek's spot on the Knights' roster is right-hander Shawn Haviland, who was activated off the DL on Saturday. He is 4-5 with a 4.09 ERA in 12 starts this season. His most recent start was on July 9 against the Durham Bulls, when he surrendered three runs (two earned) in a 10-8 loss. Haviland will take Drabek's spot in the rotation and start Sunday's game against Norfolk.

Friday, July 17, 2015

Game 94 lineups: Norfolk Tides at Charlotte Knights

Here are the lineups:

Tides (51-39)
Henry Urrutia RF
Rey Navarro 2B
Christian Walker 1B
Dariel Alvarez DH
Steve Clevenger C
Sean Halton LF
Michael Almanzar 3B
Julio Borbon CF
Paul Janish SS
Pitching: RHP Kevin Gausman (0-1, 0.00)

Knights (52-41)
Micah Johnson 2B (hitting .383 in July with 16 runs scored)
Leury Garcia SS (batting .314 in July)
Jason Coats LF (hitting .326 in July with nine RBI and seven runs scored)
Matt Davidson 3B (tied for third in the International League with 14 home runs this season)
Matt Tuiasosopo RF
Trayce Thompson CF (one home run away from 100 for his minor-league career)
Chris Marrero 1B (his .375 batting average since July 2 is the seventh highest in the IL)
Kevan Smith C
Tyler Colvin DH
Pitching: RHP Scott Carroll (3-2, 2.10)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV / ESPN 730

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Game 93: Charlotte Knights welcome Norfolk Tides for four-game series

Here are the lineups:

Tides (50-39)
Henry Urrutia RF
Rey Navarro SS
Christian Walker 1B
Dariel Alvarez CF
Steve Clevenger DH
Sean Halton LF
Michael Almanzar 3B
Audry Perez C
Derrik Gibson 2B
Pitching: RHP Mike Wright (5-0, 3.00)

Knights (52-40)
Micah Johnson 2B
Leury Garcia SS
Jason Coats LF
Matt Tuiasosopo RF
Trayce Thompson CF
Tyler Colvin DH
Chris Marrero 1B
Kevan Smith C
Drew Garcia 3B
Pitching: RHP Brad Penny (4-3, 3.89)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV / ESPN 730

Charlotte Knights-Norfolk Tides series probables

Knights vs. Tides
At BB&T BallPark

Series probables

Thursday, 7:05 p.m.
CHA: RHP Brad Penny (4-3, 3.89)
NOR: RHP Mike Wright (5-0, 3.00)


Friday, 7:05 p.m.
CHA: RHP Scott Carroll (3-2, 2.10) 
NOR: RHP Kevin Gausman (0-1, 0.00)

Saturday, 7:05 p.m.
CHA: TBD 
NOR: RHP Tyler Wilson (3-5, 3.06)

Sunday, 5:05 p.m.
CHA: TBD 
NOR: RHP Zach Davies (3-5, 2.70)

Head to head: This is the sixth series between Charlotte (52-40) and Norfolk (50-39) this season. The Knights have won nine of the 16 games. The most recent series between the teams was in Norfolk this past weekend, and Charlotte took three of four games to enter the All-Star break with a half-game lead over the Tides in the International League South Division.

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Game 88 lineups: Knights conclude three-game series with Bulls

Here are the lineups:

Bulls (45-41)
Boog Powell CF
Tim Beckham 2B
Taylor Motter RF
J.P. Arencibia 1B
Richie Shaffer 3B
Corey Brown LF
Mikie Mahtook DH
Hak-Ju Lee SS
Luke Maile C
Pitching: RHP Bradin Hagens (0-0, 1.13)

Knights (49-38)
Micah Johnson 2B (has seven hits over his past three games)
Leury Garcia SS (fourth in the International League with 23 steals)
Jason Coats LF
Matt Davidson 3B (tied for the IL lead with 14 home runs)
Matt Tuiasosopo 1B
Trayce Thompson CF
Chris Marrero DH (has a six-game hitting streak)
Kevan Smith C
Tyler Colvin RF
Pitching: RHP Shawn Haviland (4-4, 4.19)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV/ ESPN 730

Notes: Haviland enters tonight's game having won three of his past five starts. During that five-game stretch, he is 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA. ... Charlotte manager Joel Skinner was added to the the U.S. Team coaching staff for Sunday's All-Star Futures Game at the Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. Skinner ranks first in franchise history with 260 wins. The game can be seen on MLB Network and MLB.com at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Roster move: While an official roster move hasn't been made, the Chicago White Sox have reportedly optioned right-hander Scott Carroll back to Charlotte. After being promoted to Chicago for the second time this season on June 18, Carroll posted a 3.68 ERA in four relief appearances. Carroll, 30, is 3-2 with a 2.37 ERA in six starts with the Knights this season.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Game 87 lineups: Durham Bulls at Charlotte Knights

Here are the lineups:

Bulls (44-41)
Boog Powell RF
Corey Brown DH
Taylor Motter LF
J.P. Arencibia 1B
Richie Shaffer 3B
Nick Franklin 2B
Mikie Mahtook CF
Hak-Ju Lee SS
Bobby Wilson C
Pitching: LH Robert Zarate (1-0, 0.69)

Knights (49-37)
Tyler Saladino SS
Jason Coats LF
Matt Tuiasosopo RF
Matt Davidson 3B
Trayce Thompson CF
Chris Marrero 1B
Kevan Smith C
Tyler Colvin DH
Drew Garcia 2B
Pitching: RHP Brad Penny (4-3, 3.98)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV/ ESPN 730

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Game 86 lineups: Charlotte Knights host Durham Bulls for three-game series

Here are the lineups:

Bulls (44-40)
Boog Powell RF
Tim Beckham SS
Corey Brown LF
J.P. Arencibia 1B
Richie Shaffer 3B
Nick Franklin 2B
Mikie Mahtook CF
Vince Belnome DH
Luke Maile C
Pitching: RHP Jose Dominguez (0-1, 5.19)

Knights (48-37)
Micah Johnson 2B
Tyler Saladino 3B
Jason Coats LF
Matt Davidson DH
Tyler Colvin RF
Trayce Thompson CF
Chris Marrero 1B
Kevan Smith C
Leury Garcia SS
Pitching: RHP Junior Guerra (0-3, 2.91)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV/ ESPN 730

Notes: Durham right-hander Matt Andriese was originally scheduled to start for the Bulls before being called up to the Tampa Bay Rays. He will start Game 2 of Tampa's doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals at 8:10 p.m. ... Knights third baseman Matt Davidson has been selected to participate in the Triple-A All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday at Werner Park in Omaha, Neb. Davidson, who is tied for second in the International League with 13 home runs, won the 2013 Triple-A All-Star Home Run Derby as a member of the Reno Aces. Davidson was elected to start Wednesday's All-Star game as the IL's designated hitter. ... Dan Hayes of Comcast SportsNet Chicago says Charlotte right-hander Erik Johnson is having his workload monitored by the Chicago White Sox and will return to action on Friday in Norfolk. Johnson is 7-5 on the season with a 2.86 ERA. He hasn't pitched since June 26 at Rochester.


Charlotte Knights-Durham Bulls series probables

Knights vs. Bulls
At BB&T BallPark

Series probables

Tuesday, 7:05 p.m.
CHA: RHP Junior Guerra (0-3, 2.91)

DUR: RHP Matt Andriese (1-0, 2.88)

Wednesday, 7:05 p.m.
CHA: RHP Brad Penny (4-3, 3.98)
DUR: LHP Robert Zarate (1-0, 0.69)

Thursday, 7:05 p.m.
CHA: RHP Shawn Haviland (4-4, 4.19)

DUR: RHP Bradin Hagens (0-0, 1.13)

Head to head: This is the fourth series between Charlotte (48-37) and Durham (44-40) this season. The Knights split a two-game series in Charlotte on April 13 and 14. The Bulls hosted a four-game series against the Knights starting on April 20, and Durham won three games to one. The most recent series between the two teams was in Durham from June 2 to June 4, and the Bulls took two of three games.

Friday, July 3, 2015

Game 81 lineups: Knights look to avoid sweep to Braves

Here are the lineups:

Braves (42-38)
Mallex Smith CF (5-for-10 with three runs scored in first two games of series)
Jose Peraza 2B (went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Game 1)
Eric Young Jr. LF
Adonis Garcia 3B
Cedric Hunter DH (has hit two home runs and recorded six RBI in past three games)
Todd Cunningham RF
Sean Kazmar SS
Barrett Kleinknecht 1B
Jose Yepez C
Pitching: RHP Jorge Reyes (NR)

Knights (44-37)
Micah Johnson 2B (5-for-9 in first two games of series)
Tyler Saladino DH
Matt Tuiasosopo LF
Matt Davidson 3B
Tyler Colvin RF
Trayce Thompson CF
George Kottaras C (batting .317 with six home runs in 22 games this season)
Chris Marrero 1B (went 4-for-4 with a solo home run in Game 1)
Drew Garcia SS
Pitching: RHP Brad Penny (3-3, 4.31)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV/ ESPN 730

Game 80 lineups: Knights and Braves open day-night doubleheader

Here are the lineups:

Braves (41-38)
Mallex Smith CF
Jose Peraza 2B
Eric Young Jr. DH
Adonis Garcia 3B
Cedric Hunter LF
Christian Bethancourt C
Sean Kazmar 1B
Daniel Castro SS
Mycal Jones RF
Pitching: LHP Greg Smith (2-3, 2.26)

Knights (44-36)
Micah Johnson 2B
Tyler Saladino SS
Jason Coats DH
Matt Davidson 3B
Matt Tuisasosopo LF
Trayce Thompson CF
Chris Marrero RF
Kevan Smith C
Alexander Simon 1B
Pitching: Miguel Chalas (0-3, 4.58)

Game time: 12:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV/ ESPN 730

Roster moves: First baseman Chris Curley was placed on the disabled list on Friday morning. Since being promoted to Charlotte from Double-A Birmingham on June 24, Curley was batting .381 with two runs scored, one home run and two RBI. In 23 games with the Barons this season, Curley was batting ,145 with five runs scored, two home runs and nine RBI.

With Curley being placed on the disabled list, first baseman Alexander Simon was promoted to Charlotte from Class A Kannapolis and will start Game 1 of the Knights' doubleheader against the Gwinnett Braves. In 23 games with the Intimidators, Simon was hitting .293 with 12 runs scored, four doubles, two triples, one home run and 13 RBI. Simon started the 2015 season in the Tampa Bay Rays organization and was acquired by the Chicago White Sox organization on May 30 in exchange for cash. 

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Game 79 lineups: Gwinnett Braves at Charlotte Knights

Here are the lineups:

Braves (40-38)
Mallex Smith CF
Jose Peraza 2B
Eric Young Jr. LF
Cedric Hunter DH
Sean Kazmar 3B
Todd Cunningham RF
Daniel Castro SS
Barrett Kleinknecht 1B
Jose Yepez C
Pitching: RHP Kanekoa Texeira (0-2, 4.20)

Knights (44-35)
Micah Johnson 2B (hit .295 in the month of June)
Tyler Saladino SS
Matt Tuiasosopo LF
Matt Davidson 3B (tied for the International League-lead in home runs with 13)
Tyler Colvin RF
Trayce Thompson CF (second in the IL with 43 runs scored)
Chris Marrero DH
Kevan Smith C
Chris Curley 1B (batting .381 in seven games with Charlotte)
Pitching: RHP Junior Guerra (0-3, 3.00)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV/ ESPN 730

Notes: The Knights enter Thursday's game 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Norfolk Tides in the IL South Division standings. ... Four Knights will represent Charlotte in the Triple-A All-Star game on July 15. Read more here.

Roster moves: RHP Hector Noesi was placed on the temporary inactive list on Thursday. After going 0-4 with a 6.89 ERA in 10 games (five starts) with the Chicago White Sox, Noesi was outrighted to Charlotte from Chicago on June 26. Noesi hasn't pitched for the Knights this season.

RHP Junior Guerra was optioned to Charlotte  on Wednesday and was placed on the Knights' active roster on Thursday. After being promoted to Chicago on June 7, Guerra went 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA in three relief appearances for the White Sox. Guerra opened the season with Double-A Birmingham, and in seven games for the Knights, he went 0-3 with a 3.00 ERA in seven games (five starts) and struck out 30 batters.