Andy Wilkins named International League's Player of the Month

Here's the release from the International League...

The International League announced today that Charlotte first baseman/designated hitter Andy Wilkins has been named the Leagueʹs Player of the Month for July. Along with winners from other leagues, Wilkins will receive an award from Minor League Baseball in recognition of his performance last month.

For the month of July, Wilkins led the International League with 12 home runs, 31 RBI, 44 hits, 21 extra‐base hits, and a .857 slugging percentage while finishing 2nd in the circuit with a .419 batting average and 24 runs scored.  Remarkably, Wilkins collected multiple hits in 14 games, including a streak of eight in a row beginning July 13. In his first nine games following the All‐Star Break, Wilkins hit .564 with ten homers and 24 RBI while leading the Knights to an 8‐1 record.  On Monday he became the first player in franchise history to win consecutive IL Player of the Week awards, and the first in the League to do so since Gwinnettʹs Mauro Gomez in 2011. Wilkins entered July with a .236 batting average; heʹs now hitting .285 for the season. He is the International League leader with 26 home runs, 70 RBI, and 53 extra‐base hits.

Wilkins, 25, is in his fifth season as a professional player. He was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the fifth round of the 2010 draft out of the University of Arkansas. He first reached the Triple‐A level last season, hitting .265 with seven homers in 58 games with Charlotte.  He has yet to make his Major League debut. Wilkins is a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Game 113: Charlotte Knights vs. Durham Bulls

Here are the lineups:

Knights (50-62)

Micah Johnson 2B

Marcus Semien SS

Jordan Danks CF

Josh Phegley C

Andy Wilkins DH

Michael Taylor RF

Matt Davidson 3B

Matt Tuiasosopo LF

Dan Black 1B

Pitching: RHP Shawn Hill (3-4, 5.11 ERA)

Bulls (58-51)

Justin Christian CF

Ray Olmedo RF

Vince Belnome DH

Mikie Mahtook LF

Wilson Betemit 1B

Jayson Nix 3B

Mike Fontenot 2B

Hak-Ju Lee SS

Mayo Acosta C

Pitching: RHP Alex Colome (4-3, 3.55 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Notes: Jordan Danks is one hit away from tying Joe Borchard for the most in Knights franchise history. … Carlos Sanchez is out of the lineup for the second straight day with a sore back. … Half of the Knights are currently battling some sort of illness. “Quarantine him!” was yelled at Andy Wilkins during his pre-game interview on Tuesday. … Alex Colome is the No. 3 rated prospect in the Tampa Bay system according to Baseball America.

Andy Wilkins explains remakable hot streak

Indianapolis Indians play-by-play man Will Flemming summed up Andy Wilkins’ last two weeks as well as anyone this past Wednesday.

“You - have - got - to be kidding me,” Flemming muttered following a Wilkins’ third-inning grand slam against his Indians.

The home run was Wilkins’ second of the game – he hit a three-run shot in the first – and his double-take-inducing ninth in seven games.

“That one was the craziest,” said Wilkins on Tuesday, a day after earning his second consecutive International League Batter of the Week Award. “You hit a home run in the first inning of that game and then you hit a grand slam after that. I remember thinking that things just can’t get any better than that.”

In 13 games since the All-Star Break all Wilkins, 25, has done is hit a measly .538 (28-for-52) with 10 home runs and 24 runs knocked in.

The 6-foot-1-inch 220-pound first baseman’s 26 long balls and 70 RBIs this season, currently top the league.

“It’s been incredibly shocking,” said Wilkins. “For a week there, I just kept hitting home runs. It was like, ‘Good lord, what is happening?’ So I’ve enjoyed it and had a lot of fun.”

Wilkins, who hit .252 before the break, credits his recent assault on Class AAA pitching to an improved timing mechanism.

“I’ve figured out this little toe tap and it’s just helped my timing a ton and finally gotten me to a consistent place at the plate,” said Wilkins, whose average now sits at .291. “In baseball, you’re not going to get a hit every time, but I at least feel like I’m giving myself the best possible chance to be in a good hitting position when it’s time to swing.”

With an IL-high 150 home runs hit at BB&T BallPark entering Tuesday, it’s been suggested that Wilkins’ power surge might be the result of hitting in a place fans have begun to affectionately dub, “The Catapult.” 

However, Wilkins has split his 26 long balls straight down the middle, with 13 at home and 13 on the road.

Over the last couple weeks both Baseball America and MLB.com have come out with their updated versions of each Major League team’s top 20 prospects. Nowhere on either list will you find Wilkins’ name.

While acknowledging that it’d be nice to be on such a list, Wilkins said that the omission hasn’t changed the way he approaches the game.

“I’m just trying to put up the best numbers I can while I help my team win,” he said. “At the end of the day, I think everything will take care of itself. If me being on a prospect list is the only way I’m going to get to the big leagues, then there’s a flaw in the system. It doesn’t bother me, or motivate me any more or less."

With the non-waiver Major League trade deadline set for this Thursday and September roster expansion quickly approaching, there will be a handful of Knights making the jump to the big leagues.

Should Wilkins continue to hit like he has, the no-fly list is the only one that could keep him from Chicago.

“It would be a dream come true (to be called up),” Wilkins said. “It’s something you think about as a kid.

“Growing up, you feel silly. I can remember when I was in school and having people asking me what I wanted to do when I grew up. I wanted to play baseball and people just kind of looked at me. It’s been my dream forever.” 

Extras that didn’t make the paper:

Wilkins on hitting at BB&T BallPark…

“The stadium is such a hitter friendly park, but I find that the harder you try to hit a home run, the less likely it is to happen. I’ve tried to keep the same approach being at home and on the road and I think that’s why I’ve been able to hit the same amount of home runs (13) here as I have on the road (13).”

Wilkins on his aggressive approach at the plate…

“Well, for me, I’m just trying to look for a good pitch to hit. In the past, I’ve noticed that I’ve walked a lot more, but then if you look back on some of those at-bats I maybe missed some key pitches that I could have done some damage with.

“I’ve just been looking to find a good pitch out over the plate that I can drive and if I don’t get that, then I’m fine with taking the walk. A lot of these guys are good pitchers and sometimes it’s best not to get behind and let them go to their nasty stuff. If I can try to be selective in the zone and get something to drive, I try to do that.”

Any superstitions?

“I guess you could say I’m pretty boring. I’m not a big superstition guy. It’s funny. There’s been days in the past, not this year, where I’ll have a really good game and I’ll be like, ‘Ok, what did I do that day?’ and try to recall everything, but I just can’t do that. It just gets exhausting. I just try to stay the same mentally every day. “

Probables: Charlotte Knights vs. Durham Bulls

Tuesday, 7:05 p.m.

CHA - RHP Chris Beck (0-1, 9.64)

DUR - RHP Merrill Kelly (6-2, 3.00)

Wednesday, 7:05 p.m.

CHA - RHP Shawn Hill (3-4, 5.11)

DUR - RHP Alex Colome (4-3, 3.55)

Thursday 7:05 p.m.

CHA - RHP Bobby Doran (2-1, 8.36)

DUR - LHP Mike Montgomery (9-3, 3.77)

Friday 7:05 p.m.

CHA - RHP Erik Johnson (5-6, 6.48)

DUR - LHP Enny Romero (4-11, 5.29)

Head to head: This is the fifth of six series between the Knights and Bulls. Durham leads the season series 9-5.

Briefly: On Monday, Andy Wilkins earned International League Batter of the Week honors for the second consecutive week. Wilkins hit .467 (14-for-30) with 10 runs scored, three doubles, five home runs, and 16 RBIs over eight games. He is hitting .538 since the All-Star Break. Wilkins’ 26 home runs are tops in the IL. … Jordan Danks (436) is just three hits shy of trying Joe Borchard (439) for the Knights' all-time mark. Danks is hitting .280 on the season with 14 home runs.  

Andy Wilkins' recent power surge and four other Charlotte Knights thoughts

Five thoughts on the Knights…

1. Without question the Knights (48-61) are playing their best baseball of the season right now. They set a season-high with five straight wins July 12-19, lost a game on the 20th, and then ripped off another five-game streak before dropping a 6-5 decision to Louisville on Saturday.

As a team, the Knights are hitting .323 in July to pace the International League, which they now lead in home runs (137), RBI (491) and runs (523). Before Sunday's Game 1 shutout loss to the Bats, they'd scored five or more runs in 15 straight games.

2. Although everyone’s been hot at the plate, Charlotte first baseman Andy Wilkins has been one of the top hitters in all of baseball over the course of his current 12-game hitting streak. Wilkins, who was named the IL’s Batter of the Week last week, is hitting .551 (27-for-49) with 10 home runs, 17 runs, five doubles, and 24 RBIs since the streak began.

Don’t think this has simply been a hot 12 games for Wilkins either, his 26 home runs are tops in the IL and so are his 70 RBIs. Wilkins has improved each month this season, hitting .183 in April, .212 in May, .306 in June, and .448 this July (entering Sunday).

“It’s just a timing thing,” said Wilkins towards the end of June. “I’d been struggling with getting my timing and keeping it consistently. I’ve had flashes of it here and there, but I’ve just been working on it, and it’s clicking right now.”

“He’s seeing the ball well and using the whole field,” said Knights manager Joel Skinner of Wilkins. “He’s staying on the ball and every once in a while he catches a mistake and doesn’t miss it.”

A left-handed first baseman with power is one of the most sought after commodities in all of baseball. However, the knock on Wilkins, who is now 25, has always been his aggressive approach at the plate. His 19 walks in 347 ABs (5.5-percent) are the fewest among any of the Knights regulars.

IL pitchers might be wise to start pitching around Wilkins, who can get himself out more often than the White Sox would like.

For now though, Wilkins -- who is averaging a HR every 14.31 ABs -- is as hot as anyone on the planet and a reason to bring your glove if you’re planning on sitting in the BB&T BallPark outfield anytime soon.

3. Jordan Danks, who is in his fifth season with Charlotte, is now just four hits shy of tying Joe Borchard for the Knights’ all-time hits record (439). In Game 2 of Sunday’s double-header he drew even with Borchard in all-time games played as well.

Assuming Danks doesn’t set the hits mark before the Knights return to Charlotte on Tuesday, I’d hope he gets one heck of an ovation from the crowd at BB&T BallPark when it happens.

Danks is a career .269 hitter in Class AAA and has a million reasons to feel jaded about still being in the minors at age 27. However, he comes to the park everyday with an, “If I’m going to be here, I may as well have fun attitude," is always willing to talk with the media, and is good for one highlight-reel play in centerfield a week.

The Knights are handing out Danks bobble-heads on August 19. That’s great and all, but it sort of feels like he deserves more…

4. It’s a small sample size so don’t go crazy, but Erik Johnson seems to have turned things around since the All-Star Break. He’s added two miles per hour back to his fastball, which sat at 91-92 in his last start at BB&T, and his trademark slider has shown more depth and movement than it has all season.

Johnson entered the year as the White Sox No. 2 prospect, behind Jose Abreu, and collapsed under the weight of lofty expectations after making the Chicago rotation out of Spring Training.

He was sent to Charlotte to get his command and confidence back, and, for three months seemed to do the opposite.

Post All-Star break, Johnson has gone 2-0 with a 4.76 ERA (inflated by one tough inning on July 17). He’s allowed just one home run (in 11.1 innings) after surrendering long balls at a 1.05/9IP rate pre break and has nine Ks to go along with just two walks.

There’s more rotation/turn in Johnson's pitching motion than I saw the first half of the season and his command has gotten back to a place where it's allowing him to set up his slider with fastballs on the outside corner. If that continues, Charlotte may soon say goodbye to the right-hander.

Johnson’s next start is happening right now, and it’s worth keeping an eye on.

5. Myers Park High School graduate and former Charlotte pitcher Jake Robbins (@jakerobbins49) has joined the Knights broadcast team of Matt Sweirad and Michael Pacheco as a color analyst for WMYT My12’s Saturday games as well as an occasional fill-in during the week.

During his time with the Knights in 2007, Robbins so endeared himself to Sweirad and Pacheco that he was their first call when they learned of the impeding TV deal with WMYT.

Robbins had no prior experience calling games at any level, but has slid into the role well. His knowledge of the game and rapport with the players has added another element to an already top-notch broadcast team.

Emptying out the notebook: 

- Micah Johnson is hitting .364 in July and is now fully healthy after a mid-season hamstring strain. If the White Sox move Gordon Beckham, he's ready to step right in. The one aspect of his game to keep an eye on is his defense. Johnson will make plays in the field no one else can because of his elite speed, but then misplay a routine ground ball. He's still only 23.   

- Asked the Knights strength and conditioning coach Chad Efron to name the strongest two guys (in terms of weight they're consistently putting up) on the team. One (Josh Phegley) wasn't a surprise. The other, (Micah Johnson) was. 

- Michael Taylor has hit .302 with three home runs and 17 RBIs in 30 games with Charlotte and has, by all accounts, been an excellent presence in the clubhouse. He was the No. 29 prospect in the game in 2009, but has never been able to fully put it together. That the Knights have gone 24-15 since adding the 28-year-old on June 17 from the Oakland Athletics Class AAA affiliate isn't mere coincidence. 

Andy Wilkins makes it five home runs in four days; Justin Jirschele records first Class AAA hit, but Knights fall 16-5

Every winning streak eventually comes to an end.

On Sunday, the Charlotte Knights snapped their five-gamer in style, leaving nothing to chance in a 16-5 loss to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders in front of 9,806 at BB&T BallPark.

Daniel McCutchen got the start for Charlotte and allowed 11 runs over four and 1/3 innings of work, departing with the Knights trailing 9-1.

Shawn Hill, who was activated off the disabled list prior to the game, came on in relief and proceeded to allow two inherited runners to score and then five more of his own accord over the game’s next three innings.

“Those kinds of games are going to happen,” said Andy Wilkins, who homered twice in the loss. “You just need to limit the amount of times. It was a rough one though.”

The two home runs extended Wilkins’ International League-leading total to 21 on the season. He finished the game 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs and is now hitting .444 over his last 11 games with seven home runs (five this series).

The RailRiders (47-54), who avoided a four-game sweep with the win, finished the night with 17 hits. The 16-runs allowed tied a season-high for the Knights (43-59) and the 11-run loss was one less than a 14-2 drubbing at the hands of Columbus back on June 10. 

The game was, however, not without a silver lining.

With the knowledge that Justin Jirschele’s time with Charlotte was up (with the pending arrival of Carlos Sanchez from the Chicago White Sox), Knights manager Joel Skinner sent the 24-year-old up to pinch hit for Micah Johnson in the eighth inning in search of his first Class AAA hit.

“I wanted him to get a base hit because I knew he was going down,” Skinner said. “The game was out of hand and that gave me a chance to get him an at-bat. He’d already had a sacrifice fly and he had a good game when he played here once earlier this season.”

Jirschele, who had been with the Knights since being called up from Class A+ Winston-Salem where he had been hitting .343, fell behind in the count no balls and two strikes, before sending a ball just inches wide of the foul line.

On the ensuing pitch, Jirschele sliced a line drive to left center for his first hit and second RBI.

"We were all hoping the ball down the line was going to be a hit," Wilkins said. "But he struck that next pitch well. We all like 'Jersch', so it was good to see."  

After signing with the White Sox as an undrafted free agent back in 2012 and never playing above the Class A+ level prior to last week, the hit was a special one for Jirschele, who received the ball when he returned to the dugout.  

“It was a good feeling,” he said. “It’s always a bummer coming in when you’re down and the game’s kind of out of whack, but I was happy that Skinns (Skinner) got me in there for an AB and I just wanted to put the bat on the ball and see what would happen.

“This is a great team,” he continued. “They kind of took me under their wing and treated me really well. Playing in a ballpark like this and seeing what these guys go out and do every day and their approach, just (makes me want to) work my tail off to try to get back here for good someday."  

Notes: Following the game Justin Jirschele was called into Skinner's office and told he'd be heading back to Winston-Salem. ... Carlos Sanchez is expected to be available on Monday. ... Taylor Thompson, 27, who was promoted to the White Sox this morning tossed 1.2 scoreless innings with two strikeouts in his Major League debut. 

Chat with Mr. October helps Dan Black lead Knights to fifth-straight win

Dan Black was just another awestruck fan on Friday when he walked across the BB&T BallPark infield in the direction of Reggie Jackson, fresh baseball and pen in hand.

“(Jackson) kind of looked at me like, ‘Why are you coming over here kid?’” joked Black upon his return to the Knights dugout. “But he still signed my ball!”

On Saturday, Black again found himself face-to-face with the New York Yankees Hall of Famer turned special assistant, who was in town working with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.

This time, however, their meeting came in the batting cage with Black receiving advice and stories in lieu of autographs.

“It was neat,” said Black, who added that White Sox special assistant Jim Thome was also present. “I got to sit in on a conversation with a couple of Hall of Famers about hitting, about the eras in which they played in, hear about a whole bunch of different guys, and soak up a good baseball moment for my personal life.”

Black went on to make what would have already been a good day even better by finishing 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs knocked in and two runs scored in a 7-0 Knights victory over the RailRiders in front of 9,665 at BB&T BallPark.

The win was the fifth in a row for the Knights (43-58), who will conclude their four-game set with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Black’s big night came in support of Andre Rienzo (1-2), who shutout the RailRiders for five innings, while striking out six and surrendering only one hit.

The start was Rienzo’s first since being reassigned to Charlotte by the Chicago White Sox on June 13. The native of Brazil went 4-5 with a 5.87 ERA in 11 starts in the Majors.

In Black’s first trip to the plate in Saturday's win he laced a single back up the middle.

On attempt No. 2, Black deposited a 2-1 fastball into the bleacher seats for a two-run home run to put the Knights on top 4-0 in the fourth inning. The home run was his sixth of the season in Class AAA play.

The game was Black’s first with the Knights since he suffered a rib injury that led to a strained oblique during a three-home-run seven-RBI game in Columbus back on May 29.

“That was a rough couple of months,” said Black. “I took a few weeks off to just rehab it and get everything healthy and now that I’m back everything seems to be going well. It’s nice to not be worried about how my body is going to feel day-to-day.”  

Andy Wilkins (2-for-4) and Josh Phegley (2-for-4) also turned in multi-hit games for the Knights, who touched up Scranton/Wilkes-Barre pitching for eight hits on the night.

The five-game winning streak is the Knights longest since they put together an eight-game set back in August of 2012, but it was the sit down with Mr. October that will stay with Black long after the specifics of Saturday’s game are forgotten.  

“It was just really cool to see a Hall of Famer come around some Minor League guys and treat them with respect,” said Black. “He knows the struggles that we’ve gone through. I just really like those moments where you can just sit down with those guys and talk to them candidly.”

Notes: With Saturday’s attendance of 9,665, the Knights have now drawn over 500,000 fans (501,262) to BB&T BallPark this season. They’ve averaged a MiLB-best 9,640 fans per game through 52 home openings this season.

Game 101: Charlotte Knights vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

Here are the lineups:

Knights (42-58)

Micah Johnson 2B

Marcus Semien SS

Josh Phegley C

Jordan Danks CF

Matt Davidson 3B

Andy Wilkins 1B

Matt Tuiasosopo LF

Michael Taylor RF

Dan Black DH

Pitching: RHP Andre Rienzo (0-2, 4.80 ERA)

RailRiders (46-53)

Jose Pirela 2B

Rob Refsynder RF

Zoilo Almonte DH

Adonis Garcia 3B

Kyle Roller 1B

Austin Romine C

Taylor Dugas LF

Antoan Richardson CF

Carmen Angelini SS

Pitching: LHP Nik Turley (0-1, 5.82 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: WMYT My12 / ESPN 730 

Notes: Andre Rienzo is making his fourth start of the season for the Charlotte Knights, and first since returning to Class AAA from the Chicago White Sox on July 13. In 14 games in the Major Leagues this season, Rienzo went 4-5 with a 5.87 ERA. … Andy Wilkins and Josh Phegley have feasted on Scranton/Wilkes-Barre pitching this season. Wilkins is 16-for-25 (.640) with 10 runs scored, four doubles, a triple and five home runs. Phegley is 11-for-21 (.524) with two home runs. Phegley is currently in the midst of a 13-game hitting streak, the longest this season by any Knights player. … With a HR last night, Wilkins took over the IL-lead with 19, one ahead of teammate Matt Davidson. … The Knights are expecting to surpass 500,000 in attendance tonight. They’re averaging a MiLB-best 9,639 fans per game.  

Chien-Ming Wang makes solid debut in 8-4 Knights win over RailRiders

There was a time when the news of the Chicago White Sox signing Taiwanese pitcher Chien-Ming Wang would have been front-page, above the fold, material.

On Thursday, a website known for being on top of trade rumors and potential signings, listed Wang’s signing and subsequent assignment to the Class AAA Charlotte Knights under a subhead that read: “Minor Moves.”

Players also mentioned in the “Minor Moves” post included former Marlins ace Dontrelle Willis (he’s thinking about coaching) and former NBA star Tracy McGrady (who has retired from baseball…wait, what?)

So it was with little fanfare that Wang made his Knights debut on Friday in an 8-4 Charlotte win over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in front of 10,240 at BB&T BallPark.

The 34-year-old, who led the American League in wins with 19 when he was a member of the New York Yankees in 2006, tossed six innings and allowed four runs on seven hits to pick up the win.

True to form, Wang recorded 11 of his 18 outs via the groundball. He also struck out two and walked three, while touching an encouraging 91 mph on the stadium radar gun.

Wang went 8-5 with a 3.70 ERA in 19 games this season with the Class AAA Louisville Bats (a Cincinnati Reds minor league affiliate) before exercising an opt-out option in his contract to pursue an opportunity to find a Major League job.

“I tried to get a better chance to get back to the majors,” said Wang about the decision to sign with Chicago. “Other teams talked to me, but to have a chance to be a Major League fifth starter, I thought this was my best choice.”

After retiring the first two RailRiders batters he faced in the first inning, Wang allowed a double and a run-scoring single before recording a strikeout to end the inning.

The next four frames were vintage Wang, who entered the sixth inning with a 4-1 lead and having thrown just 72 pitches. 

The RailRiders touched the 6-foot-4-inch right-hander up for three runs in the sixth on four hits. Nevertheless, Knights fans gave him a nice ovation as he headed for the dugout following a debut that lived up to expectations.

“They just told me to keep working and being consistent,” said Wang when asked what the White Sox had told him about his chances to earn a quick promotion back to the big leagues.

In the top of the seventh, Charlotte took a 6-4 edge thanks to a two-run single from Josh Phegley (3-for-4, three RBI) to ensure that Wang would be credited with the win, Charlotte’s fourth in a row.

Andy Wilkins (3-for-4, 2B, HR), who finished the night 3-for-4, added two more insurance runs in the eighth inning with his International League-leading 19^th home run of the season.

“It's just a matter (of) having depth so that if something should happen in Chicago, we've got another option to come give us a professional outing," White Sox General Manger Rick Hahn told MLB.com after Wang’s signing.

"You sort of know what you're going to get there; (Wang’s) going to throw strikes and keep the ball on the ground. It is conceivable that, if there's a need here, we would turn to him."

Game 100: Charlotte Knights vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Rail Riders

Here are the lineups:

Knights (41-58)

Micah Johnson 2B

Marcus Semien SS

Josh Phegley C

Jordan Danks CF

Matt Davidson 3B

Andy Wilkins 1B

Matt Tuiasosopo LF

Blake Tekotte RF

Michael Taylor DH

Pitching: RHP Chien-Ming Wang (8-5, 3.70 ERA w/ LOU)

RailRiders (46-52)

Jose Pirela RF

Rob Refsynder 2B

Zoilo Almonte LF

Adonis Garcia 3B

Kyle Roller 1B

John Ryan Murphy C

Corban Joseph DH

Carmen Angelini SS

Taylor Dugas CF

Pitching: RHP Chris Leroux (2-2, 4.44 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Notes: Chien-Ming Wang, who signed with the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, is making his Knights debut tonight. He was 8-5 with a 3.70 ERA in 19 games before opting out of his contract with the Cincinnati Reds last week. Wang won 19 games in back-to-back seasons (2006-07) with the New York Yankees. … On June 26, Wang allowed two unearned runs on three hits in 7.2 innings against Charlotte while pitching for the Louisville Bats. … Andy Wilkins (two HR last night) and Matt Davidson (HR last night) are tied atop the International League with 18 home runs. They’ve been battling back-and-forth for the team lead for the last two months. They have homered on the same day five times and a day apart from each other another five times. … With two runs scored on Thursday night, Jordan Danks moved into a tie with Joe Borchard for first all-time in runs scored (237) for the Knights.

Erik Johnson sharp as Knights pound six home runs in 9-5 win over RailRiders

You could see the anger starting to boil over for Erik Johnson in the sixth inning of Thursday’s 9-5 Charlotte Knights win over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders when the right-hander failed to get the call on a two-strike fastball that looked to catch the inside corner of the plate.

Knights’ catcher Josh Phegley held the ball in place for a couple extra seconds, Charlotte players barked from the bench, and Johnson took a jab at the return throw from Phegley that would have made Ali look twice.

It wasn’t so much the umpiring that had Johnson on edge, as much as it was the four-run inning by the RailRiders in front of 10,255 at BB&T BallPark that he just couldn’t escape.

“That’s baseball and that’s how it goes down sometimes,” said Johnson (3-6), who had cruised through the game’s first five innings, allowing one run on two hits with five strikeouts.

“You’ve got to go with the punches and remember that you get the ball again in five days," he continued. "There are frustrating parts, but you’ve got to take away the positives and keep building and working.”  

In a season that’s seemingly been a never-ending series of one step forward followed by two steps back for Johnson, whose ERA now stands at 6.80, the All-Star break was a chance to hit reset and his first five innings were exactly what he’d hoped they would be.

“You could tell I had my command and I was hitting the glove and working ahead and punching guys out,” said Johnson, whose final line read: 5.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R (4ER), 5K. 

“My hits were down and there were no walks tonight," Johnson said. "It was one of the sharpest outings I’ve had. I’ve been working on a few things and I thought they all came together tonight.”

The Knights (41-58), who won for the third consecutive game, pounded out a season-high six home runs in support of Johnson, with two coming from Andy Wilkins (3-for-4) and Matt Davidson, Marcus Semien, Phegley and Jordan Danks all joining in the fun.

Davidson (1-for-4) and Wilkins are now tied atop the International League with 18 home runs each. Charlotte entered the day leading the IL in home runs (117), 32 more than second-placed Toledo (85). 

“It’s a lot easier when guys all over the lineup are working the counts, getting on, and putting pressure on the pitcher,” said Davidson. “With (Wilkins and I) having the team lead, we may as well battle back and forth. If I hit one, he seems to hit one and the other way around. We’ve got a good little competition going on."

Johnson’s pitch immediately following the one in the sixth where he didn’t get the call was laced back up the middle for the RailRiders' fifth hit of the inning and led to Knights manager Joel Skinner turning the game over to the bullpen.

The inning had gotten away from Johnson, but the Knights defense had also made an error, failed to turn a double play and allowed an infield single.

“He went through the lineup and had the one inning where it seemed like we couldn’t make a play,” said Skinner of Johnson’s performance. “We expanded that inning on Erik.

“I though that the first three innings he went right through the lineup and faced the minimum,” Skinner continued. “He was just pitching tonight and that’s what we’ve seen from him in the past and that’s what he did tonight.”

You could see Johnson talking to himself as he walked off the mound, but as soon as he reached the dugout, the pats on the back began.

“That’s the sharpest I’ve seen (Johnson) all year,” said Wilkins, who is hitting .405 (17-for-42) over his last 10 games with four home runs. “He was pounding the zone and throwing strikes. He did a good job and wasn’t behind too many hitters. He just came out and attacked and it was good to see.”

Notes: Prior to the game, the Chicago White Sox announced the signing of Chien-Ming Wang and his subsequent assignment to the Charlotte Knights. Wang, who recently opted out of his contract with Cincinnati, posted an 8-5 record with a 3.70 ERA in 19 games for the Triple-A Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds organization) this season. He is scheduled to start on Friday. … In a separate move, the team also traded starter Dylan Axelrod to the Cincinnati organization.

Game 94: Charlotte Knights vs. Syracuse Chiefs

Here are the lineups:

Knights (38-56)

Marcus Semien SS

Carlos Sanchez 2B

Josh Phegley C

Jordan Danks CF

Matt Davidson 3B

Andy Wilkins 1B

Matt Tuiasosopo LF

Blake Tekotte RF

Michael Taylor DH

Pitching: RHP Shawn Hill (3-3, 4.83 ERA)

Chiefs (54-37)

Emmanuel Burris SS

Jeff Kobernus LF

Steven Souza Jr. CF

Tyler Moore 1B

Zach Walters 2B

Greg Dobbs DH

Destin Hood RF

Brandon Laird 3B

Sandy Leon C

Pitching: RHP Blake Treinen (4-0, 2.20 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Notes: Charlotte catcher Josh Phegley was named to the International League All-Star Team today and in a weird way has A.J. Pierzynski to thank. When the Red Sox designated the longtime Chicago catcher for assignment, it created room on their roster for rookie Christian Vazquez, whose place Phegley is taking on the IL roster. Phegley leads all IL catchers with13 home runs and is hitting .253 with 42 runs scored, 20 doubles, three triples and 38 RBIs in 70 games. He’ll join Tyler Saladino, who was elected to start at shortstop. … Andy Wilkins and Matt Davidson each homered in Wednesday’s double-header. Both players now have 16 long balls, one off Dan Johnson, who leads the Il with 17 this season. … The Knights are hitting .315 in July (nine games) with nine home runs and 50 RBIS. … According to reports out of Houston (Charlotte has not yet confirmed), the Astros have traded 25-year-old Bobby Doran to the White Sox for a player to be named later. Doran, who stands 6-foot-6 and is known as a sinkerball pitcher – is expected to report to Charlotte once the move becomes official.

Weather Report

UPDATED: Probables for the Charlotte Knights-Syracuse Chiefs series

Thursday, 7:05 p.m. 

RHP Shawn Hill (3-3,4.83)
RHP Blake Treinen (4-0, 2.20)

Friday, 7:05 p.m.

RHP Matt Zaleski (0-0, 5.06 ERA)

LHP Aaron Laffey (11-3, 2.82 ERA)

Saturday, 7:05 p.m.

LHP Daniel McCutchen (0-0, 9.72 ERA)

RHP Josh Roenicke (4-4, 4.97 ERA)

Sunday 2:05 p.m.

RHP Bobby Doran (0-0, 0.00)

RHP Taylor Hill (9-3, 2.04)

Head to head: This is the first of two four-game series between the Knights and Chiefs. Charlotte will travel to Syracuse August 11-14.

Briefly: The Knights split a double header with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday. They took three of four from the RailRiders in the series. … Both Andy Wilkins and Matt Davidson homered on Wednesday. They both now have 16 long balls this season, tied for second in the International League. … Michael Taylor went 1-for-5 with a home run in Monday’s game. Since being acquired from the Oakland organization back on June 14, Taylor is hitting .317 with two home runs and eight RBIs for Charlotte. He has a hit in 14 of his 18 games and has scored a run in 12. … Tyler Saladino is hitting .381 (24-for-63) over his last 16 games (since 6/17), which is good for second best in the IL behind Emmanuel Burris of Syracuse (.400). … Chiefs’ outfielder Steven Souza Jr. leads the IL with a .360 batting average. He’s also second in the league in RBIs with 56. Taylor Hill’s 2.04 ERA is tops in the IL, as is his three complete games.  … Thursday is Italian Night at BB&T BallPark.

Game 80: Charlotte Knights vs. Louisville Bats

Here are the lineups:

Knights (29-50)

Micah Johnson 2B

Tyler Saladino LF

Marcus Semien SS

Jordan Danks CF

Josh Phegley C

Matt Davidson 3B

Andy Wilkins 1B

Michael Taylor DH

Blake Tekotte RF

Pitching: RHP Deunte Heath (3-1, 2.61 ERA)

Bats (40-39)

Jason Bourgeois CF

Ruben Gotay 2B

Thomas Neal 1B

Donald Lutz LF

Neftali Soto DH

Bryan Anderson C

Rey Navaro SS

Hernan Iribarren 3B

Kristopher Negron RF

Pitching: RHP Brett Marshall (0-2, 8.10 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Notes: The plan today is for Carlos Sanchez to get his fifth day off this season. He's third in the International League in at-bats with 292. ... After a 3-for-28 stretch at the plate, Tyler Saladino has turned it around and is 4-for-his-last-11 with two runs scored (including last night's game-winner) and two knocked in. ... Andy Wilkins is hitting a team-best .379 (11-for-29) over the last 10 games with two home runs and six runs batted in. ... Deunte Heath picked up his third win in his last start, holding the Mud Hens to one run on five hits over six innings of work. 

UPDATE: For the Observer's game story, click here.