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. 

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.

Erik Johnson shines in Knights 6-2 win over Braves

Who is this version of Erik Johnson? And what did he do with the guy who struggled so mightily in 2014?

In his first start of 2015 with the Charlotte Knights, Johnson, held the Gwinnett Braves to one run on four hits over five innings of work, while striking out four in an eventual 6-2 Charlotte win in front of 10,527 at BB&T Ballpark.

The 25-year-old right-hander threw a remarkably efficient 63 pitches (46 strikes) over his five innings of work, never once going to a three-ball count, before heading down to the bullpen to toss 15 more pitches after being removed from the game (he was on an innings limit).

Johnson began last season as the Chicago White Sox No. 5 starter, but struggled with his fastball velocity and command before being reassigned to the Knights. From there, things only got worse for the White Sox No. 2-ranked prospect entering the season.

Johnson went on to finish 2014 with a 5-7 record with the Knights and a career-worst 6.73 earned-run average. 

But for Johnson, that's all in the past now. 

Through eight innings of work (three came in relief last Tuesday) this season, he's allowed just one run on six hits, while striking out seven.

Johnson's fastball is back to registering 92-to-95 miles-per-hour on the radar gun and he’s mixing in a sharp curveball, along with a slider and changeup. 

There’s a hop in his step and an enthusiasm in his voice that wasn’t there last season.

The Knights spotted Johnson (2-0) all the runs he would need in the first inning when Matt Davidson connected on a two-run home run off Chien-Ming Wang (0-1). For good measure, they added another run in the fourth inning and three more in the seventh to put the game away. 

The lone run off Johnson on Saturday came in the third inning. Joe Benson went the other way on a 2-0 fastball for a double to leadoff the inning and then came in to score on a seeing-eye ground-ball single between first and second. 

After a fly-out and an infield single, Johnson went to his slider and promptly got out of the inning with a double play. 

Of Johnson's four strikeouts on the night, three came on fastballs (all swinging) and one on a curveball. 

Quote

“For me, it’s all about getting as late of a launch as I can. By a late launch (I mean) how late you can hold onto the ball before you release it. It looks harder and is more explosive the longer you can hold onto it. That’s what I worked on this offseason.” – Knights’ starter Erik Johnson.

Worth mentioning

Knights’ centerfielder and White Sox No. 18 prospect (according to Baseball America) Trayce Thompson (1 for 4) extended his International-League best hitting-streak to 10 games with a single in the fourth inning. The 24-year-old is now hitting .375. … Tyler Saladino played shortstop for the Knights on Saturday after serving as the team’s designated hitter for the previous five games (he's still recovering from Tommy John Surgery just over eight months ago). … Carlos Sanchez (3 for 4, RBI, R) continued his torrid pace at the plate and is now hitting a team-high .485 over seven games since his assignment to Class AAA. … Reliever Jake Petricka (with the Knights on a rehab assignment from the White Sox) threw a scoreless inning of relief with two walks and two strikeouts. ... The crowd of 10,527 was the Knights' largest of the season and their fourth sellout. 

What's next?

The Knights (7-3) and Braves (3-7) will conclude their three-game series on Sunday at BB&T Ballpark at 2:05 p.m. Shawn Haviland (0-0, 0.00) will take the ball for Charlotte across from Braves No. 3 prospect (according to MLB.com) Mike Foltynewicz (0-1, 2.08).  

Game 10: Erik Johnson looks to continue strong start to season against G-Braves

Here are the lineups:

G-Braves (3-6)

Eury Perez RF

Jose Peraza 2B

Adonis Garcia DH

Pedro Ciriaco 3B

Todd Cunningham CF

Elmer Reyes SS

Joe Benson LF

Matt Kennelly 1B

Braeden Schlehuber C

Pitching: RHP Chien-Ming Wang (0-0, 3.38)

Knights (6-3)

Tyler Saladino SS

Carlos Sanchez 2B

Neftali Soto DH

Matt Davidson 3B

Engel Beltre RF

Trayce Thompson CF

Dan Black 1B

Kevan Smith C

Leury Garcia LF

Pitching: RHP Erik Johnson (1-0, 0.00)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: WMYT My12 / ESPN 730 

Notes: Last night, Charlotte defeated the G-Braves, 7-5, on the strength of a 3-for-5 night at the plate from Carlos Sanchez. ... Today marks Erik Johnson's first start of 2015. The right-hander earned a win after tossing three scoreless innings in relief of Shawn Haviland on April 13. He gave up just two hits and fanned three. ... Jake Petricka (on rehab assignment from the White Sox) is scheduled to make his second appearance tonight. Petricka, 26, began the season on the disabled list with a strained forearm. ... Trayce Thompson is currently riding an International League-best nine-game hitting streak. The 24-year old CF ranks sixth in the IL in batting average at .400 (14-for-35). ... Carlos Sanchez ranks second, with a .448 (13-for-29) batting average through six games. ... The Knights leads the IL in batting average through nine games. Their team mark of .294 is 27 points higher than second-place Pawtucket (.267). G-Braves starter Chien-Ming Wang combined to go 13-8 with a 4.13 ERA with both Charlotte and Louisville last year.   

Carlos Sanchez leads Charlotte Knights to third-straight win

Since his reassignment from the Chicago White Sox to the Charlotte Knights on April 11, Carlos Sanchez has done nothing but hit.

The Knights’ second baseman went 3-for-5 on Friday with two RBI, a run scored and a stolen base to help Charlotte secure a 7-5 win over the Gwinnett Braves in front of 10,361 at BB&T Ballpark.

Sanchez’ big hit of the night was a two-run single up the middle off Braves’ prospect Matt Wiser (0-1) in the second inning that gave the Knights a 3-2 lead they would never relinquish. 

The three-hit night improved Sanchez’ average to .448 (13-for-29). The switch-hitter now has five RBI, four runs scored and a stolen base in six Class AAA games this season.

With Micah Johnson – who narrowly edged out Sanchez for the starting second-base job in Chicago – hitting just .167 (3-for-18) in seven games with the White Sox, Sanchez’ reassignment to Charlotte could be nearing an end.

Scott Carroll (1-1) earned the win for the Knights after allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits over five innings of work. The Sinker-baller struck out four and induced eight ground-ball outs.

Maikel Cleto (2IP, 0R), Arcenio Leon (1IP, 3R) and Jairo Asencio (S, 4) combined to hold the G-Braves to three runs on three hits (all off Leon) over the game’s final four frames.

Quote

“I did the best that I could while in was in (Chicago) and I brought that (attitude) here and I think that’s helped me a lot. I’m just trying… to show (the White Sox) that I can play and I’m just waiting for a chance.” – Knights second baseman Carlos Sanchez.

Worth mentioning

The win was the third in as many days for the Knights over the G-Braves. Charlotte swept a short two-game series in Gwinnett on Wednesday and Thursday. … Knights’ centerfielder and White Sox No. 18 prospect (according to Baseball America) Trayce Thompson (1 for 4) extended his International-League best hitting-streak to nine games with a solo home run in the second inning. The 24-year-old is now hitting a team-best .400 (min 2.7 PA/G). … Tyler Saladino (1 for 5), who DH’d for the fifth-straight game on Friday, extended his current hitting-streak to four games. … Maikel Cleto tossed two perfect innings of relief with two strikeouts and has now not allowed a run in his last 13 1/3 innings of work, dating back to last season. … White Sox reliever Jake Petricka, who threw a perfect inning on Thursday, is scheduled to make his second rehab appearance with the Knights on Saturday. … Prior to the start of Friday’s game the Knights unveiled an 18-foot Dragon statue just to the left of the batter’s eye in centerfield. The dragon, affectionately dubbed “Mojo” by those in the press box on Friday, will breath smoke after Knights’ home runs and wins.    

What's next?

The Knights (6-3) and Braves (3-6) will continue their three-game series on Saturday at BB&T Ballpark. Erik Johnson (1-0, 0.00) will take the ball for Charlotte across from former Knights' right-hander Chien-Ming Wang (0-0, 3.38).  

Observer legendary photographer Jeff Siner was at Friday's game and put together an excellent photo slideshow. Click Here to view it.  

Game 9: Knights look to take three in a row from G-Braves

Here are the lineups:

G-Braves (3-5)

Todd Cunningham CF

Jose Peraza 2B

Cedric Hunter DH

Pedro Ciriaco 3B

Adonis Garcia LF

Elmer Reyes SS

Joe Benson RF

Braeden Schlehuber C

Barrett Kleinknecht 1B

Pitching: RHP Matt Wisler (0-0, 0.00)

Knights (5-3)

Tyler Saladino DH

Carlos Sanchez 2B

Neftali Soto 1B

Matt Davidson 3B

Engel Beltre RF

Trayce Thompson CF

Kevan Smith C

Jared Mitchell LF

Leury Garcia SS

Pitching: RHP Scott Carroll (0-1, 4.50)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV / ESPN 730 

Notes: Last night, Charlotte rallied from a 3-0 fifth-inning deficit to defeat the G-Baves, 7-6 in 10 innings. Carlos Rodon got the start and allowed three runs on six hits over five innings of work, while striking out four. Jake Petricka made his first rehab appearance and tossed a perfect inning with one strikeout. Trayce Thompson went 3-for-6 with two doubles and three RBIs. ... Gwinnett starter Matt Wisler was acquired as part of the Craig Kimbrel trade with the San Diego Padres. He's currently listed as the No. 2 prospect in the Braves' system according to MLB.com. ... The Knights placed catcher George Kottaras on the DL on Friday morning and recalled Raleigh native Jeremy Dowdy from Winston-Salem. ... Trayce Thompson extended his IL-leading hitting-streak to eight games on Thursday. The 24-year-old is hitting .419 (13-for-31) this season. ... Gwinnett won the season series with Charlotte, 13-9 in 2014.

Charlotte Knights - Gwinnett Braves pitching matchups and notes

Knights vs. GBraves @ BB&T Ballpark 

Friday, 7:05 p.m.

CHA: RHP Scott Carroll (0-1, 4.50 ERA)

GWN: RHP Matt Wisler (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Saturday 7:05 p.m.

CHA: RHP Erik Johnson (1-0, 0.00)

GWN: RHP Chien-Ming Wang (0-0, 3.38 ERA)

Sunday 2:05 p.m.

CHA: RHP Shawn Haviland (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

GWN: RHP Mike Foltynewicz (0-1, 2.08)

Head to head: This is the second of eight series (23 games) between the Knights and G-Braves this season. Gwinnett leads the all-time series 68-63 including a 37-29 record at home at Coolray Field. The G-Braves went 6-5 last season at BB&T Ballpark.

Briefly: The Charlotte Knights and Gwinnett Braves concluded their two-game series from Coolray Field on Thursday night and will now take their talents to Charlotte for a three-game set. … Just before game time on Wednesday, the Knights announced four roster moves – with three players heading to the disabled list (RHPs Brad Penny and Matt Lindstrom, along with outfielder Matt Tuiasosopo (retroactive to April 14)) -- Jarrett Casey, was promoted from Class AA Birmingham. … On Thursday, infielder Justin Jirschele was promoted from Winston-Salem Class A+. … Chicago White Sox RHP Jake Petricka, who began the 2015 season on Chicago’s disabled list with a right forearm strain, begin a Major League Rehab assignment with the Knights on Thursday. … Trayce Thompson has swung the bat well to start the 2015 season and continued that on Thursday when he extended his hitting-streak to seven games. The 24-year-old is hitting .400 (10-for-25) through seven games on the season – which is tied for third-best in the International League. … Through six regular season games, the Knights have welcomed a league-high 53,230 fans through their gates. The team is averaging 8,872 fans per game -- tops in the IL and all of Minor League Baseball so far this season.

Braves secure regular season finale over Knights 9-2

The Charlotte Knights opened their new home – BB&T BallPark – on Friday, April 11 and ushered in the first of 31 sellout crowds.

On Monday, the Knights – who did not qualify for post season play – wrapped up their final game at the Uptown stadium this season, a 9-2 loss to the Gwinnett Braves, in front of 9,540.

In total, 687,715 fans (the most in the minors) passed through the gates over that span – more than twice the amount (254,834) that visited Knights stadium in Fort Mill, SC, in 2013.

Zach Stewart took the mound for the Braves and held the Knights to two runs over six innings of work in the kind of coincidence that you seemingly only find in the game of baseball.

It was Stewart, who – a year ago Tuesday – got the start for Charlotte in the final game at Knights Stadium against the Braves.

His counterpart, Andre Rienzo, allowed two runs over six innings as well, before the game became a battle of the bullpens, which the Braves won thanks in large part to Sean Kazmar and Joe Leonard.

Kazmar belted two home runs – including the go-ahead shot in the eighth inning off Charlotte’s Daniel McCutchen, while Leonard finished the day 4-for-4 with a three-run home run of his own.  

“Our record wasn’t what we’d have liked it to be, but I think just coming up here to Uptown, the fans were a big part of this year,” said Knights manager Joel Skinner, whose squad finished the season in fourth place in the International League’s South Division with a record of 63-81.

“The facility and the atmosphere that they created here was tremendous. We wanted to be better than we were, but from our standpoint, a lot of good things happened with the players.”

In total, 15 Knights received promotions to Chicago (as of 9/01) with Carlos Sanchez, Jordan Danks and Andy Wilkins each posting career years.

Wilkins became the first Knight to hit 30 home runs in a single season since Brad Eldred hit 35 in 2008. Carlos Sanchez spent much of the season near the top of the IL in hits, and Danks – who is already on his way back to join the White Sox – broke the Knights’ all-time hits mark.

“Nobody wants to be setting minor league records, they’d rather be in the major leagues and I would,” said Danks, whose 1-for-3 performance on Monday gave him 449 career hits with the Knights. “But, I’ve been here for the last five years off an on, and I’m glad to set some records along the way and proud to say I've been a Knight. 

“I’m going to try to finish the season strong with (Chicago) and then come back next year and be ready to go. I love this stadium, but I hope I never see it again.”

Josh Phegley, who turned in another All-Star season and will likely join Danks in Chicago, summed up the season well.

“I feel like we got a little piece of the big leagues here with the stadium and city in general,” Phegley said. “It was a fun year.”

Notes: Concord, NC native Dan Wagner picked up his first career Class AAA hit with a two-out single to left field in the seventh inning. 

Game 144: Charlotte Knights vs. Gwinnett Braves

Here are the lineups:

Knights (63-80)

Jared Mitchell LF

Josh Richmond RF

Jordan Danks CF

Michael Taylor DH

Matt Tuiasosopo 1B

Matt Davidson 3B

Justin Jirschele SS
Dan Wagner 2B

Luis Sierra C
Pitching: RHP Andre Rienzo (1-4, 4.20 ERA)

Braves (64-77)

Todd Cunningham CF

Elmer Reyes SS
Christian Bethancourt DH

Brandon Boggs LF

Sean Kazmar 3B

Ozzie Martinez 2B

Steve Lerud C

Edward Salcedo RF

Joe Leonard 1B

Pitching: RHP Zach Stewart (7-4, 4.68 ERA)

Game time: 2:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Notes: The Knights need a win today to finish the season .500 at home (35-36). ... This is Andre Rienzo's ninth start with Charlotte (10th appearance). ... The Knights have welcomed 678,167 fans through their gates this season (31 sellouts) -- the most in all of Minor League Baseball. ... In a weird coincidence, Zach Stewart will start today for the Braves. Nearly a year ago to the day, Stewart tossed eight shutout innings for Charlotte in its final game at Knights Stadium. 

On a personal note, I want to thank everyone for reading the Knights Insider Blog this season. It's been an honor and a pleasure covering the team. Any thoughts, questions or ideas for next season? please feel free to email me: sethlakso@gmail.com. 

Read more here: http://cltknightsinsider.blogspot.com/#storylink=cpy

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.  

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

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. 

How Avisail Garcia torched the Gwinnett Braves

In four games over the past five days, the Gwinnett Braves have done a nice job of showing the rest of the International League how not to pitch to Avisail Garcia.

Braves pitchers have fed the White Sox slugger, who’s been with the Charlotte Knights on a Major League rehab assignment since Thursday, a steady diet of fastballs away.

The philosophy being, that after four months of rehabbing a torn labrum in his left shoulder, Garcia shouldn’t have the strength -- or bat speed -- to cover the outer-half of the plate.

While there’s certainly logic behind that approach, the reality was: it didn’t work.

In Wednesday’s 12-10 Knights win in front of 9,760 at BB&T BallPark, Garcia collected two hits – each on fastballs on the outer-half of the plate – and scored two runs before being pinch-hit for in the seven inning after reaching his scheduled four at-bats.  

The two-hit night improved the 23-year-old outfielder to 8-for-15 with a home run, a double, and five runs scored against the Braves and 10-for-19 since he joined the Knights.

“I knew how they were going to try to pitch me a little bit, so I was just trying to make good contact,” Garcia had said following Tuesday’s game. “They were throwing me a lot of fastballs away, so I was ready for that.” 

News of his post-game press conference must not have made its way to the Braves’ dugout because on Wednesday Gwinnett’s “hard and away” mantra trudged onward for Garcia's first three at-bats.

After striking out on a fastball up around his chest in his first plate appearance, Garcia sent an 0-2 fastball on the outer-third of the plate right back up the box for a single in the third inning.

In what became a general theme in Wednesday’s game, Garcia trotted home two batters later on a Josh Phegley (3-for-4, HR, 2B, BB, 6 RBI) double.

In his third at-bat, Garcia took what the Braves were giving him, and laced a line drive right down the first-base line for a double.

"I felt real comfortable when I hit the double because I knew I was going to get that fastball outside because he’d thrown me a breaking pitch right before," Garcia said. 

Once again, Garcia came in to score on a Phegley extra-base hit – this time on the Knights catcher’s 18^th home run of the season, which highlighted a five-run fourth inning for Charlotte.

Seemingly learning from its mistakes, Gwinnett chose to pound the 6-foot-4-inch outfielder inside in his final at-bat, which led to the right-hander topping a ball off his left shin and an eventual groundout to short.

The win, which featured 18 Knights' hits (at least one by every starter) and a combined 378 pitches between the two teams, completed a short (in games NOT time) two-game series sweep for the Knights and evened their overall record against the Braves to 7-7 this season.

“I feel great,” said Garcia, who is slated to move from strictly designated hitting to the outfield on Thursday. “I’m just going to keep working hard everyday. I’m trying to enjoy myself and have fun and we’ll see what happens going forward.”  

Ryan Kussmaul came on to toss a scoreless ninth inning to earn his fifth save of the season and preserve the win for Knights’ starter Bobby Doran (3-1), who allowed three runs on seven hits over five innings.

The Knights will begin a four-game series at BB&T against the Pawtucket Red Sox on Thursday. It'll be interesting to see how they approach Garcia.   

Game 119: Charlotte Knights vs. Gwinnett Braves

Here are the lineups:

Knights (54-64)

Jared Mitchell LF

Micah Johnson 2B

Avisail Garcia DH

Jordan Danks CF

Josh Phegley C

Andy Wilkins 1B

Marcus Semien 3B
Michael Taylor RF
Carlos Sanchez SS

Pitching: RHP Bobby Doran (2-1, 6.88 ERA)

Braves (51-65)

Jose Constanza LF

Tyler Pastornicky 2B

Todd Cunningham CF

Joey Terdoslavich DH

Brandon Boggs RF

Elmer Reyes SS

Sean Kazmar 3B
Steve Lerud C
Joe Leonard 1B

Pitching: LHP Daniel Rodriguez (6-12, 4.63 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Notes: The Charlotte Knights will honor Jordan Danks, who on Thursday became the team's all-time hits leader, with a pre-game, on-field ceremony tonight at 6:50 p.m.

Game 118: Charlotte Knights vs. Gwinnett Braves

Here are the lineups:

Knights (53-64)

Jared MitchellLF

Marcus Semien SS

Avisail Garcia DH

Jordan Danks CF

Josh Phegley C

Andy Wilkins 1B

Matt Davidson 3B

Matt Tuiasosopo 2B

Michael Taylor RF

Pitching: RHP Shawn Hill (3-5, 5.07 ERA)

Braves (51-64)

Jose Constanza LF

Tyler Pastornicky 2B

Todd Cunningham CF

Joey Terdoslavich 1B

Christian Bethancourt C

Brandon Boggs DH

Elmer Reyes SS

Edwardo Salcedo RF

Ozzie Martinez 3B

Pitching: RHP Gus Schlosser (7-5, 3.48 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Read more here: http://cltknightsinsider.blogspot.com/#storylink=cpy

Probables: Charlotte Knights vs. Gwinnett Braves

Tuesday, 7:05 p.m.

CHA - RHP Shawn Hill (3-5, 5.07)

GWN - RHP Gus Schlosser (7-5, 3.48)

Wednesday, 7:05 p.m.

CHA - RHP Bobby Doran (2-1, 6.88)

GWN - LHP Daniel Rodriguez (6-12, 4.63)

Head to head: The Braves lead the season-series, 7-5.

Briefly: The Charlotte Knights fell to the Gwinnett Braves 5-4 on Sunday in the finale of their two-game series from Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, GA. The two teams split the series and will now open a two-game series from BB&T Ballpark . … Matt Lindstrom (on his rehab assignment from the Chicago White Sox) has allowed three runs on five hits over two innings pitched (two appearances). … Avisail Garcia (also with the Knights on rehab assignment from the White Sox) had to be removed from Sunday’s game after being hit by a pitch in the left-elbow area in his second at-bat. Garcia had gone 5-for-10 in three appearances (all at designated hitter) with Charlotte. He’s currently listed as day-to-day. … Maikel Cleto has been recalled by the White Sox. To make room for him on the roster, Chicago reassigned Taylor Thompson to the Knights. Cleto had not allowed a run in his last five appearances (7.2 IP), while striking out 13. … The Knights will welcome over 20 former Charlotte Hornets baseball players to the game on Tuesday for a special Charlotte Hornets Tribute. 

Update (2:20 p.m.): 

RHP Zach Putnam, who began the 2014 season with the Charlotte Knights, will begin a Major League Rehab assignment with the team tonight. ... In other roster news, LHP Charlie Leesman was activated off of Charlotte’s disabled list, while RHP Matt Zaleski was placed on the DL (retroactive to August 2). 

Game 86: Charlotte Knights vs. Gwinnett Braves

Here are the lineups:

Knights (33-52)

Tyler Saladino 1B

Carlos Sanchez 2B

Marcus Semien SS

Jordan Danks CF

Josh Phegley C

Matt Davidson 3B

Matt Tuiasosopo LF

Andy Wilkins DH

Michael Taylor RF

Pitching: RHP Deunte Heath (4-1, 2.61 ERA)

Braves (40-44)

Jose Constanza LF

Todd Cunningham CF

Phil Gosselin 3B

Joey Terdoslavich 1B

Mark Hamilton DH

Elmer Reyes SS

Edward Salcedo RF

Steve Lerud C

Ozzie Martinez 2B

Pitching: LHP Daniel Rodriguez (4-9, 4.81 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Notes: The BB&T BallPark gates are currently open and the USA World Cup soccer game is being aired on the scoreboard. … Chicago has released veteran setup man Mitchell Boggs. Boggs signed a one-year $1.1M contract with the White Sox prior to this season, but had struggled all season, posting a 9.50 ERA in 25 games. ... With two home runs last night – including a walk-off two-run shot in the 10^th inning of Game 2 – Matt Davidson has climbed into second place in the IL in home runs with 15. … Tyler Saladino – who also homered twice yesterday – is hitting .458 over the Knights last 10 games with two HR, six runs knocked in and six scored. … Today Deunte Heath will make his seventh start of the season. He’s picked up the win in his last two. … Charlotte finished the month of June with a .500 (15-15) winning percentage. It went 8-22 in May. … The highest attendance in a season for the Knights in their 27-year history came in 1993 when they drew 429,132. Through 42 games this season, they’ve drawn 402,723.

UPDATE: The Knights won, 3-1. For the game story, click HERE.