Game 30 preview: Louisville Bats (and Dylan Axelrod) at Charlotte Knights

Here are the lineups:

Bats (13-17)

Hernan Iribarren 2B
Irving Falu DH
Ivan De Jesus 3B
Josh Satin 1B
Ramon Cabrera C
Chris Dominguez LF
Ryan LaMarre CF
Yorman Rodriguez RF
Eugenio Suarez SS

Pitching: RHP Dylan Axelrod (1-2, 3.56)

Knights (16-13)

Jason Coats LF

Carlos Sanchez 2B (currently hitting .364, which is good for third in the IL)

Neftali Soto 1B

Matt Davidson 3B
Dan Black DH (slugging a league-best .581 & averaging a HR ever 14.80 ABs)
Tryace Thompson CF 
Tyler Colvin RF

Kevan Smith C (riding a seven-game hitting streak)
Drew Garcia SS

Pitching: RHP Kyle Drabek (0-1, 2.57)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV / ESPN 730 

Roster Moves: RHP Javy Guerra was outrighted to Charlotte by the Chicago White Sox. Guerra returned to Chicago from his Major League Rehab assignment with the Knights on May 6, was reinstated off of the Chicago White Sox 15-day disabled list, and designated for assignment that day. on Monday, he was outrighted to the Knights and is active for tonight’s game. This season, Guerra has appeared in four games with the Knights on rehab and has a 0-0 mark with a 17.18 ERA (3.2 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO). He was placed on Chicago’s 15-day disabled list on April 20 (retroactive to April 13) with right shoulder inflammation after appearing in three games with the White Sox earlier this year (1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO). ... On Saturday, OF Matt Tuiasosopo placed on the Knights' Temporary Inactive List.

Notes: Louisville starter Dylan Axelrod spent parts of the 2011, 2012 and 2014 seasons with the Knights (he spent all of 2013 with the White Sox) and is 10th all-time on the Knights' strikeouts list. He's also the answer to the future trivia question: "Who through the first pitch in BB&T Ballpark history?" ... The Knights trail the all-time series with the Bats 96-80. 

Game 99: Charlotte Knights vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

Here are the lineups:

Knights (40-58)

Micah Johnson 2B

Marcus Semien SS

Josh Phegley C

Jordan Danks CF

Matt Davidson 3B

Andy Wilkins 1B

Matt Tuiasosopo LF

Blake Tekotte DH

Michael Taylor RF

Pitching: RHP Erik Johnson (2-6, 6.81 ERA)

RailRiders (46-51)

Jose Pirela LF

Rob Refsynder 2B

Zoilo Almonte RF

Adonis Garcia 3B

Kyle Roller DH

Austin Romine 1B

John Ryan Murphy C

Antoan Richardson CF

Carmen Angelini SS

Pitching: RHP Bryan Mitchell (0-0, 0.00 ERA)*

* A Reidsville, N.C. native

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Notes: Today the Chicago White Sox announced the signing of Chien-Ming Wang and assigned the Taiwanese right-hander 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. … The team also announced that right-handed pitchers Dylan Axelrod and Deunte Heath have both departed. Axelrod was traded to the Cincinnati organization and Heath has been released to pursue an opportunity to play in Japan. … Infielder Tyler Saladino, who was elected to the International League All-Star Team this season but did not play, was placed on the disabled list today. Saladino was hitting a team-high .310 with 41 runs scored, 91 hits, 16 doubles, four triples, nine home runs, seven stolen bases over 82 games with the Knights. … LHP Frank De Los Santos was activated from the Temporary Inactive List. … Dan Black has been promoted back to the Knights from Class AA Birmingham. Black hit .292 with three home runs and 13 RBIs in 18 games for the Barons. … Infielder Justin Jirschele was also promoted to Charlotte from Winston-Salem (A+). ... you still with me?

Series Probables: 

Thursday: Erik Johnson (2-6, 6.81) vs. Bryan Mitchell (0-0, 0.00)

Friday: Chien-Ming Wang (8-5, 3.70 w/ LOU) vs. Chris Leroux (2-2, 4.44)

Saturday: Andre Rienzo (0-2, 4.80) vs. Nik Turley (0-1, 5.82)

Sunday: Daniel McCutchen (0-0, 7.20) vs. Matt Tracy (0-2, 3.12)

Knights fall 7-2 to Norfolk despite fireworks late

On a night when the Knights offense lacked its usual firepower, a record crowd of 10,539 at BB&T BallPark simply waited for the game to end for its fireworks show.

Charlotte’s offense mustered just two runs on six hits against Chris Jones (5-5) and the Norfolk Tides in a 7-2 loss this Independence Day.

Asked about what its like to play baseball on the 4th, Knights manager Joel Skinner, who caught for nine seasons in the Major Leagues before becoming a skipper, grew nostalgic.   

“On the 4th of July, you go to the ballpark,” Skinner said. “I can remember when I was in New York, we’d go to the old ballpark in Cleveland on the 4^th and there’d be 80 thousand people. Those are some great memories.”

Although the Knights failed make any lasting memories on the field Friday, the local turnout will surely stick in the minds of the players. Fans lined the fences all the way around the ballpark and thousands more parked themselves on blankets in Romare Bearden Park.

“We always seem to have a big crowd (on the 4^th),” Knights centerfielder Jordan Danks said. “It’s the one night of the year that I actually stick around and watch the fireworks. This is just kind of a special time for us to play and I know we all have fun doing it.” 

As for the game, it wound up being a reminder that over the course of a baseball season, things tend to even out.

Unfortunately for Knights starter Dylan Axelrod (5-7), he found himself on the wrong side of the law of averages. Axelrod had dominated Norfolk in three appearances (two starts) this season, posting a 1-0 record and a 2.77 ERA to go along with 17 strikeouts.

Those numbers came crashing back to Earth like one of those weeping willow-looking plumes of ash that lit up the city sky when the right-hander allowed eight hits, three walks, and five runs in five innings.

The Tides pushed across single runs in the first and third innings, before getting to the Knights pitcher for three in his final inning of work.

Buck Britton and his awesome baseball name knocked in the game’s third run in the fifth with a bases-loaded single. Xavier Paul followed with a sacrifice fly and Steve Lombardozzi – who homered earlier in the game – pushed home a run with a groundout.

Britton finished the night a team-best 4-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI.

In the fifth, Charlotte loaded the bases with one out, but failed to score. 

Jordan Danks was able to provide a highlight for fans to go home with when he made a diving catch on a line drive to right center in the eighth inning.  

“I was just trying to make things happen,” said Danks, who finished 0-for-3 with a walk. “Obviously, I wasn’t making things happen with the bat tonight, so I tried to do what I could with the glove.”

The Knights lone run off Jones, who went five innings while scattering three hits and striking out five, came in the fifth when Tyler Saladino doubled and later came into score on a Micah Johnson fielder’s choice.

Matt Tuiasosopo added a solo home run in the ninth.

Notes: Friday’s crowd of 10,539 gives the Knights a total attendance of 422,229 this season. They’re now just 6,903 short of passing their all-time attendance mark of 429,132 set in 2008 at Knights stadium. Charlotte has averaged a minor-league best 9,569 fans per game.

Game 89: Charlotte Knights vs. Norfolk Tides

Here are the lineups:

Knights (34-54)

Micah Johnson 2B

Carlos Sanchez SS

Marcus Semien LF

Jordan Danks CF

Matt Davidson 3B

Matt Tuiasosopo DH

Michael Taylor RF

Tyler Saladino 1B

Miguel Gonzalez C

Pitching: RHP Dylan Axelrod (5-6, 4.38 ERA)

Tides (35-53)

Julio Borbon CF

Quintin Barry LF

Steve Clevenger 1B

Francisco Peguero RF

Buck Britton 3B

Xavier Paul DH

Steve Lombardozzi 2B

Brian Ward C

Jemile Weeks SS

Pitching: LHP Chris Jones (4-5, 4.00 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Notes: The largest Knights’ crowd ever was 15,591 and it came on July 4, 2008. Hearing that record may be in jeopardy tonight. … Charlotte is 6-7 against Norfolk this season, but has lost each of its last three meetings. … Tyler Saladino has feasted on Tides pitching this season, hitting .394 (13-for-33) with seven runs scored and four RBIs in nine games. … Tonight’s starter, Dylan Axelrod, is 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA and 17 K’s in three games (two starts) against Norfolk this season. ... And, oh yeah, Happy 4th!

Charlotte Knights vs. Norfolk Tides probables

Upcoming Probables: 

at BB&T BallPark
Friday, July 4 at 7:05 p.m. -- RHP Dylan Axelrod (5-6, 4.38) vs. LHP Chris Jones (4-5, 4.00) 
Saturday, July 5 at 7:05 p.m. -- RHP Shawn Hill (2-3, 5.13) vs. LHP Nick Additon (3-4, 4.50) 

Today's Links:

• Jordan Danks is nearing several Charlotte Knights records 
• Tom Sorensen's thoughts on July 4 baseball in Charlotte: Red, white, boom 

Dylan Axelrod tosses six scoreless; Knights slug way to 8-6 series-clinching win over Toledo

The escape artist formally known, as Dylan Axelrod, was on point in the first inning of Monday’s 8-6 Charlotte Knights victory over the Toledo Mud Hens.

To the initial dismay of the crowd of 8,616 at BB&T BallPark, Axelrod began the game the game by allowing Toledo runners to second and third without recording an out.

Micah Johnson then saved a mistake when he went vertical to snag a line drive off the bat of Tyler Collins, who had turned on a hanging breaking ball.

With the game’s first out behind him, Axelrod went to work.

He began by coming inside on long-time minor leaguer Mike Hessman to induce a lazy fly to short and for his coupe de grace, Axe went to a 1-2 count on James McCann before generating a bouncing ball to second to complete the scoreless frame.

“Being able to get out of the first inning was big,” Axelrod said. “It could have gone the other way pretty easily if I had caved in and given up those runs.

“I really tried to bear down and throw my best stuff,” he continued. “I probably focused just a little bit more. It’s almost one of those things where you wish you did it before you got into trouble.”

From then on there was no touching Axelrod, who held Toledo in a state of arrested development over the game’s next five innings.

The former mainstay in the 2013 White Sox rotation finished the afternoon having allowed just three hits. He struck out five and walked two on his way to win No. 4 of the season.

“A lot of games are won and lost in the first inning,” Knights manager Joel Skinner said. “That was big. He didn’t get in a hurry and it worked out for him. He threw well today.”

On a night when centerfield doubled as a graveyard for well-hit fly balls, Matt Davidson, Andy Wilkins and Jordan Danks all managed to still go yard.

Davidson’s home run, which came in the second, was his 12th of the season and temporarily vaulted him into the team lead before Wilkins pulled even with a shot to leadoff the fourth.

Charlotte batters finished with 17 hits, three each by Johnson (3-for-5), Carlos Sanchez (3-for-4, 2R) and Wilkins (3-for-5, 2R, RBI).  

Danks’ home run came in the eighth and brought home two runs that eventually loomed large when Taylor Thompson ran into trouble in the top of the ninth.

Thompson allowed two runs on two walks and three hits before securing the game’s final out on a strikeout of Hessman with the bases juiced.

The win gave the Knights their first series win (3-1) since they took three of four games from Durham at BB&T BallPark April 22-25.

“I can’t really remember that last time we took three out of four from anyone,” said Jordan Danks, who was with the White Sox the last time it happened. “We’re rolling right now and hopefully that continues on to this next series.” 

Game 78: Charlotte Knights vs. Toledo Mud Hens

Here are the lineups:

Knights (27-50)

Micah Johnson 2B

Carlos Sanchez 3B

Marcus Semien SS

Jordan Danks CF

Josh Phegley C

Matt Davidson DH

Andy Wilkins DH

Matt Tuiasosopo LF

Blake Tekotte RF

Pitching: RHP Dylan Axelrod (3-6, 4.64 ERA)

Mud Hens (37-40)

Ezequiel Carrera CF

Hernan Perez SS

Tyler Collins RF

Mike Hessman 3B

James McCann C

Trevor Crowe DH

Wade Gaynor LF

Jordan Lennerton 1B

Danny Worth 2B

Pitching: RHP Derek Hankins (3-7, 5.86 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Notes: LHP Eric Surkamp earned IL Pitcher of the Week honors after going 1-0 with a 0.64 ERA in two starts this past week. Over three starts in June, Surkamp is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA and 19 strikeouts. For more on Surkamp’s strange path to the Knights, click HERE. … Tonight’s starter Dylan Axelrod beat the Mud Hens in his only start against Toledo earlier this season (June 2). He allowed two runs and scattered six hits over seven innings. … Charlotte leads the IL in home runs this season with 81. However, Toledo has held them without a long ball in the last three games. … Carlos Sanchez currently leads the Knights in average (.292), hits (83), RBI (34) and stolen bases (10). … This is the final game the Knights will play against the Mud Hens this season. Charlotte leads the season series four games to three.

Game 63: Charlotte Knights vs. Columbus Clippers

Here are the lineups:

Knights (21-41)

Marcus Semien LF

Carlos Sanchez 2B

Josh Phegley C

Jordan Danks CF

Matt Davidson 3B

Andy Wilkins 1B

Tyler Saladino SS

Blake Tekotte DH

Gorkys Hernandez RF

Pitching: RHP Dylan Axelrod (2-5, 4.73 ERA)

Clippers (29-32)

Jose Ramirez SS

Tyler Holt CF

Adam Abraham 1B

Elliot Johnson LF

Giovanny Urshela 3B

Roberto Perez C

Carlos Moncrief RF

Ryan Rohlinger 2B

Audy Ciriaco DH

Pitching: RHP Travis Banwart (3-2, 3.63 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730 

Notes: Knights manager Joel Skinner said that Micah Johnson (hamstring) was able to run the bases for the first time and looked good before today's game. Skinner added that he expects his second baseman back "sooner rather than later." ... The start in LF for Marcus Semien is his first out of the infield in his professional career. 

Felipe Paulino's struggles continue in 15-6 loss for Charlotte Knights

The plan was for Felipe Paulino to come to Charlotte and make three rehab appearances as he recovered from right rotator cuff inflammation and then return to the Chicago rotation.

Five starts later, the 30-year-old is running out of time to convince the White Sox he’s ready. 

In Friday’s 15-6 loss to the Indianapolis Indians, Paulino was spotted a six-run lead in the second only to exit after 4 and 2/3 innings of work with the game tied at 6.

Paulino (0-3) allowed five hits, walked six and struck out five. He threw 99 pitches, 52 for strikes.

  

With a maximum of nine days remaining with the Knights before Chicago is required to activate him, Paulino has allowed 21 earned runs on 30 hits and 16 walks in 19.2 innings.

In the bottom of the second, Charlotte sent 10 to the plate against Indianapolis starter Vance Worley on its way to a season-high six run inning.

The Knights then watched as the Indians ran up 15 unanswered.

Paulino surrendered three in the third and three more on a Gregory Polanco three-run shot in the fourth. The home run for Polanco was his sixth of the season and gave the right-fielder four RBIs in two games against Charlotte.

Dylan Axelrod came on in relief and surrendered one run in 3 and 1/3 to fall to 1-5 on the season.

Things got ugly to watch for the sold-out crowd of 10,367 at BB&T BallPark in the ninth, when the combination of Donnie Veal and Frank De Los Santos allowed a season-high eight runs on four hits, three walks, a wild pitch and two hit batters.

The Knights and Indians will play game three of their four-game series on Saturday, with Tommy Hanson (2-4, 4.60 ERA) scheduled to take the mound across from Jake Brigham (1-2, 3.53).

Click HERE for the full game story. 

Final: Buffalo Bisons 8, Charlotte Knights 3

There was no bailing out Dylan Axelrod on Saturday.

Five days after the Knights rallied from seven runs down after Axelrod lasted just one inning in a start against Lehigh Valley for a one-run win, Kyle Drabek made sure Buffalo didn’t suffer a similar fate.

The former key piece in the Philadelphia Phillies acquisition of Roy Halladay from the Toronto Blue jays in 2009, went six innings, struck out seven, and allowed two runs in what ended up being an 8-2 loss for the Knights in front of a sellout crowd of 10,226 at BB&T BallPark.   

The win for Drabek – who has now twice battled back from Tommy John Surgery  – evened the four-game series at one game apiece and snapped a four-game skid for the Bisons (19-14). 

On Saturday, Axelrod lasted four innings and allowed four runs on five hits. The right-hander uncharacteristically struggled with his command for the second game in a row, walking five, while striking out just two. 

Axelrod (1-4, 6.47) had a Jekyll and Hyde type of outing, allowing two runs to Buffalo in the first inning, before sending them down in order in the second.

Phegley (2-for-4) did what he could to keep his pitcher in the game when he connected on his third home run of the Knights' current eight-game home stand to tie the game at 2-2 in the first.

In the third, Axelrod’s control issues returned. After walking the leadoff man for the second time in three innings, he allowed a two-run home run to Kevin Pillar (3-for-4, HR, 2 RBIs 2 R).

There was some question over whether or not the 28-year-old would return for the fourth inning after he walked off the mound with 79 pitches at the conclusion of the third inning. However, he did, and managed to end his night with a scoreless frame.

Deunte Heath (2 IP) and Frank De Los Santos (1 IP) were each touched up for two runs in relief appearances before Taylor Thompson held Buffalo scoreless over the final two frames.

  

Playing in his second game since being reassigned to Charlotte, Jordan Danks knocked in a run with a single in the bottom of the eighth, but Ryan Rowland-Smith came on to toss a perfect ninth to end any comeback ideas.

Charlotte will send Tommy Hanson to the mound for game-three of the series on Sunday at 2:05 p.m.

Notes: On Saturday, the Chicago White Sox purchased the contract of Knights reliever and former Mets closer Frank Francisco. The 34-year-old appeared in six games (8 IP) for Charlotte and did not allow an earned run, while striking out 12. … Matt Davidson made his first appearance after missing the previous six games with a sore hand and finished the night 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.

Final: Knights 3, Bisons 8 -- Thompson held Buffalo scoreless in the ninth, but Ryan Rowland-Smith sent Charlotte down in order in the bottom half of the inning.

End of 8th: Knights 3, Bisons 8 -- Taylor Thompson came on in relief of De Los Santos and retired the Herd in order.

Playing in his second game since being reassigned to Charlotte, Jordan Danks knocked in Jared Mitchell (3-for-3) with a single.

End of 7th: Knights 2, Bisons 8 – Buffalo added two more runs off Frank De Los Santos after the lefty walked two and allowed two hits in the inning.

Charlotte, batting against Chad Jenkins, continued to struggle. Dan Black (2-for-3) singled with two outs, but never made it to second.

Kyle Drabek’s line:  6 IP, 5 H, 2 R (both unearned), 0 BB, 7 K – 92 pitches (61 strikes).

End of 6th: Knights 2, Bisons 6 – Heath struck out two in a scoreless inning. The Knights then went in order.

End of 5th: Knights 2, Bisons 6 – Matt Tuiasosopo sent Heath’s very first pitch into the left-centerfield bleachers. A walk followed by a fielder’s choice and a double by Kawasaki put Buffalo up four.

Saladino bounced to third. Jared Mitchell (2-for-2, 2B) then singled and was erased on a double-play ball off the bat of Gorkys Hernandez.

End of 4th: Knights 2, Bisons 4 – That’s the afternoon for Axelrod, who ended things with a scoreless inning. His line: 4 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 5 BB, 2 K – 98 pitches (57). RHP Deunte Heath will pitch the fifth.

Josh Phegley led off the inning with a single, but was stranded at second. Matt Davidson is now 0-for-2 with two K’s after missing the previous six games with a sore hand.

End of 3rd: Knights 2, Bisons 4 – Axelrod’s control issues returned in the third inning. After again walking the leadoff man, he allowed a two-run home run to Kevin Pillar (now 2-for-2 with 2B, HR). Axe then retired the next two before walking the bases loaded. Munenori Kawasaki bounced to short to end the inning.

Axelrod has thrown 79 pitches (43 strikes) through three innings.

Jared Mitchell led off the bottom half with a double to the gap in right center. A Gorkys Hernandez sacrifice fly moved him to third with one out, but Drabek recovered to strike out Carlos Sanchez and Jordan Danks. Missed opportunity.

End of 2nd: Knights 2, Bisons 2 – Axelrod looked much more comfortable in the second, retiring Jim Murphy and Munenori Kawasaki on groundballs before picking up his first K of the game vs. Bisons leadoff man Anthony Gose.

Dan Black singled with one out but was doubled up when he mistakenly thought a ball off the bat of Tyler Saladino was heading for the gap in right center.

End of 1st: Knights 2, Bisons 2 – Dylan Axelrod struggled with his command in the first inning, walking two and allowing two doubles all before recording the inning’s second out. After getting Ryan Goins to bounce out to first, Ryan Schimpf hit a ball to the warning track in center to end the inning.

The Knights picked up two unearned runs on a two-out two-run home run by Josh Phegley. Gorkys Hernandez reached on an error by Buffalo 2B Munenori Kawasaki to begin the game. The home run was Phegley’s third of this home stand.

Pregame:

Knights (13-21)

Gorkys Hernandez RF

Carlos Sanchez 2B

Jordan Danks CF

Josh Phegley C

Andy Wilkins DH

Matt Davidson 3B

Dan Black 1B

Tyler Saladino SS

Jared Mitchell LF

Pitching: RHP Dylan Axelrod (1-3, 6.11)

Bisons (18-14)

Anthony Gose RF

Darin Mastroianni CF

Kevin Pillar LF

Dan Johnson DH

Matt Tuiasosopo 1B

Ryan Goins SS

Ryan Schimpf 3B

Jack Murphy C

Munenori Kawasaki 2B

Pitching: RHP Kyle Drabek (2-2, 4.85)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Stat of the Day: The Knights are 5-3 this season when CF Jordan Danks plays.

Notes: On Saturday, the Chicago White Sox purchased the contract of Knights reliever and former Mets closer Frank Francisco. The 34-year-old appeared in six games (8 IP) for Charlotte and did not allow an earned run, while striking out 12. … To make room on the Major League roster for Francisco, the White Sox designated RHP Maikel Cleto for assignment. … In his last start, Dylan Axelrod lasted just one inning. He allowed seven runs on seven hits to Lehigh Valley in a game the Knights eventually won 9-8. …  After tossing eight scoreless innings last night, Charlotte LHP Charlie Leesman now ranks sixth in the International League with a 1.70 ERA. … Knights’ 3B Matt Davidson is back in the lineup tonight after missing the previous six games with a sore hand. ... Charlotte 2B Carlos Sanchez saw his 11-game hitting streak come to an end last night. He did, however, reach base three times in the game, extending his on-base streak to 25 games.  

Knights Walkup Song of the Day: Hector Gimenez – Vivir Mi Vida, by Marc Anthony