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

Here are the lineups:

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

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

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV/ ESPN 730

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

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

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

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

Here are the lineups:

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

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

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV/ ESPN 730

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

Making memories: Watch @SaladinoTyler collect his 1st MLB HR in the 9th. http://t.co/NwL40jCIGT pic.twitter.com/YhCwe5Tv2u

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 19, 2015

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

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 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.

Game 6: Brad Penny looks to sink Durham Bulls

Here are the lineups:

Bulls (2-3)

Ryan Brett CF

Vince Belnome 1B

Jake Elmore 3B

Joey Butler RF

Corey Brown DH

Luke Maile C

Alexi Casilla 2B

Eugenio Velez LF

Hak-Ju Lee SS

Pitching: RHP Dylan Floro (1-0, 0.00)

Knights (3-2)

Tyler Saladino DH

Carlos Sanchez 2B

Neftali Soto 1B

Matt Davidson 3B

Engel Beltre RF

Trayce Thompson CF

Kevan Smith C

Leury Garcia SS

Jared Mitchell LF

Pitching: RHP Brad Penny (1-0, 4.76)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV / ESPN 730 

Notes: The Knights are set to conclude their short two-game series with the Bulls tonight. ... Shawn Haviland, Erik Johnson (W, 1-0) and Eric Surkamp (S, 1) combined to shutout the Bulls on Monday night. ... Tonight marks the second start of the season for veteran righthander Brad Penny. Throwing almost exclusively two-seamers, Penny held the Norfolk Tides to three runs over five innings of work back on Opening Day. ... Through five games the Knights' team batting average of .283 leads the International League. ... CF Trayce Thompson has gone 7-for-17 at the plate to begin this season and has hits in all five games this season. His brother, Klay, scored a whole lot of points for the Golden State Warriors last night. ... Jared Mitchell snapped an 0-for-9 skid with a 2-for-3 performance last night. ... Durham starter Dylan Floro was named the IL's Pitcher of the Week last week after tossing six scoreless innings at Gwinnett. Following tonight's game, Charlotte will travel to Gwinnett for two games at Coolray Field.

Game 5: Erik Johnson to make 2015 debut vs Durham Bulls

Here are the lineups:

Bulls (2-2)

Ryan Brett 2B

Vince Belnome 1B

Jake Elmore SS

Joey Butler RF

Corey Brown CF

Curt Casali 

Eugenio Velez LF

Taylor Motter 3B

Mayo Acosta C

Pitching: LHP Scott Diamond (0-0, 0.00)

Knights (2-2)

Tyler Saladino DH

Carlos Sanchez 2B

Neftali Soto 1B

Matt Davidson 3B

Matt Tuiasosopo RF

Trayce Thompson CF

Kevan Smith C

Leury Garcia SS

Jared Mitchell LF

Pitching: RHP Shawn Haviland (0-0, 0.00)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV / ESPN 730 

Notes: The Knights are striking out too much, with strikeouts accounting for 48 percent of their outs through four game this season. … RHP Erik Johnson, who spent much of this spring on the disabled list with an abdominal strain, is slated to pitch after Shawn Haviland on Monday. … On Monday the Knights added LHP Eric Surkamp to their active roster and optioned LHP Jarrett Casey to Class AA Birmingham. ... Tyler Saladino has hits in all three games he has appeared in this season. … Dan Black’s home run Sunday was his first since Aug. 30 of 2014. … Former White Sox closer Matt Lindstrom has yet to find his rhythm out of the bullpen with Charlotte. The 35-year-old actually lowered his ERA from 40.50 to 27.00 by allowing two runs in the top of the ninth on Sunday. ... This is the first of seven series (23 games) between the Knights and Bulls this season. The teams will next face off April 20-23 in Durham. The won their 2014 season series with the Knights, 12-9.

Game 3: Carlos Rodon takes hill against Norfolk Tides

Here are the lineups:

Tides (1-1)

Nolan Reimold LF

Chris Parmelee DH

Dariel Alvarez CF

Christian Walker 1B

Audry Perez C

Jayson Nix 2B

Henry Urrutia RF

Michael Almanzar 3B

Paul Janish SS

Pitching: LHP T.J. McFarland (0-0, 0.00)

Knights (1-1)

Tyler Saladino SS

Leury Garcia 2B

Neftali Soto DH

Matt Davidson 3B

Engel Beltre RF

Trayce Thompson CF

Matt Tuiasosopo LF

Kevan Smith C

Dan Black 1B

Pitching: LHP Carlos Rodon (0-0, 0.00)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: WMYT My12 / ESPN 730 

Notes: Knights starter Carlos Rodon is the White Sox No. 1 prospect according to literally every publication that weighs in on such things. The 22-year-old southpaw possesses the best slider in the White Sox system. ... Knights' SS Tyler Saladino finished 2 for 5 with a run scored and three stolen bases on Friday night. In two games this season, Saladino is now 5 for 9 with a triple, two runs knocked in, and four steals. ... This morning the White Sox optioned LHP Eric Surkamp to the Knights. Following their win on Saturday, the White Sox also optioned infielder Carlos Sanchez to Charlotte. ... Through two games, the Knights have struck out 25 times (worst in the IL) and drawn just three walks (also worst in the IL). ... Norfolk starter T.J. McFarland made three starts against the Knights last season posting a 0-0 record with a 2.45 ERA. ... The Knights will play the final game of their four-game series with the Tides on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. RHP Scott Carroll (0-0) will take the mound across from RHP Zach Davies (0-0). 

Game 131: Charlotte Knights vs. Gwinnett Braves

Here are the lineups:

Knights (57-73)

Jared Mitchell CF

Carlos Sanchez 2B

Marcus Semien SS

Michael Taylor RF

Andy Wilkins 1B

Matt Tuiasosopo DH

Matt Davidson 3B

Miguel Gonzalez C

Josh Richmond LF

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

Braves (56-72)

Jose Constanza LF

Elmer Reyes SS

Donnie Murphy 3B

Joey Terdoslavich 1B

Sean Kazmar DH

Brandon Boggs CF

Ozzie Martinez 2B

Steve Lerud C

Edward Salcedo RF

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

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

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

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

Charlotte Knights SS Tyler Saladino to have Tommy John surgery

Charlotte Knights All-Star shortstop / White Sox prospect Tyler Saladino will miss the remainder of this season after suffering a tear of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament in his throwing arm.

According to a source within the White Sox organization, Saladino, who turned 25 on July 20, is scheduled to have Tommy John surgery on August 14.

The injury occurred during the Knights’ final game in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre just prior to the Triple-A All-Star break (July 9) in a game Saladino started in left field.

Saladino said that he felt something in his arm in the top of the fifth inning following a play where he threw out Railriders’ outfielder Taylor Dugas at home (off an Austin Romine single) to preserve a 2-1 Charlotte lead.

Saladino played in two games following the injury (as a DH) before being placed on the seven-day disabled list.

Saladino (.310/.367/.483) was voted to start the Triple-A All-Star Game for the International League at shortstop, but was forced to pull out after the injury. His .310 batting average remains tops among Knights players this season.

His .471 average with runners in scoring position had turned Saladino into a Charlotte fan favorite.

The same White Sox source that knew the date of the surgery also mentioned that, in their opinion, Saladino was on his way to making his Major League debut this season.

Baseball America listed Saladino as a "rising" prospect in its mid-season update, noting that he had "re-established himself as a future utility option with a strong first half at Triple-A." 

The injury raises some questions about the White Sox somewhat liberal practice of training infielders to play corner outfield positions. A throw from left field to home on the fly is a significantly more strenuous action on the arm than any throw an infielder might make.

There are two years remaining on Saladino’s contract. Position players tend to return from Tommy John surgery faster than pitchers, who typically require a full 12 months. Mid-April of 2015 is probably a safe estimate for Saladino, assuming all goes well.

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)

Sans Carlos Sanchez, Knights patch together 5-3 win over Syracuse Chiefs

When this season began, Tyler Saladino and Carlos Sanchez were the Knights starters up the middle.

Since then, Marcus Semien – a utility infielder / fledgling outfielder – and Micah Johnson – a second baseman – have each made their ways to Charlotte and in doing so created one of those problems an organization loves to have: too many quality middle infielders for two positions each night.

On Saturday, against all odds, Charlotte’s logjam up the middle turned into its greatest need in a 5-3 win over the Syracuse Chiefs in front of 10,378 at BB&T BallPark.

With Johnson on his way to play in the 2014 Futures Game, Saladino relegated to DH duties with a sore throwing arm, and Sanchez (according to sources) taking his talents to Cleveland to join the Chicago White Sox, Knights manager Joel Skinner found himself in need of a shortstop.

His solution was to give Matt Davidson, the Knights normal third baseman, his first professional start at the six, and to move Matt Tuiasosopo from left to third.

“I just went into the clubhouse and said, “Hey, you’re playing short and you’re playing third,”’ said Skinner. “I moved Marcus over to second because I didn’t want to play against the grain from a standpoint of turning two.”

The patchwork lineup performed well in support of starter Daniel McCutchen, who gave the Knights a much-needed 6.2 innings, while striking out six and surrendering three runs.

“It was a whirlwind kind of,” said Davidson, who had never played shortstop before in his life. “Luckily I had Marcus (Semien) out there to tell me what to do because I had no idea. It was fun.. I have a new found respect for those middle infield guys.” 

At one point in the sixth inning, Davidson fielded a ball deep in the hole and jumped up like you’re used to seeing Derek Jeter do in an effort to make the throw to first, while falling away from the play.

The throw sailed wide of the bag and the runner was safe, but the attempt was undeniably fun to watch.

“I kind of missed my shot,” said Davidson with a laugh. “That was my time to shine and I just over corrected too much. I think the angle from third is a little steeper. I didn’t need to correct it as much. That’s at least what I’m going to tell everyone.” 

McCutchen ultimately took a no-decision, but with only Taylor Thompson (2-0) – who tossed the game’s final 2.1 innings – Nelvin Fuentes and Henry Rodriguez available in the Charlotte pen, his effort was not lost on Skinner or his teammates.

“McCutchen was outstanding,” said Skinner. “To get us into the seventh inning (was huge) and then the job Taylor did… Both those guys were huge tonight. They were definitely the keys to the game.”

“It was big,” said Thompson of McCutchen’s performance. “He got us into the seventh and we needed it bad because we were stretched out. We needed at least six and he did that and I was lucky enough to get through the last few innings for us to get the win.”

The Knights (39-58), who took the lead for good in the eighth when Michael Taylor doubled home Tuiasosopo with Manny Delcarmen (3-3) pitching for the Chiefs (57-38), finished with 12 hits. Jordan Danks (3-for-3, R RBI) and Marcus Semien (2-for-5, R, three RBI) each hit home runs.

The two-hit night raised Semien’s average to .221 with the Knights after he had been below the Mendoza line for the better part of the last month.

Following the two-run eighth inning, Thompson struck out Zach Walters on a splitter with the tying run on second to end the game

“I didn’t want to let that game get away from us,” said Thompson. “We worked too hard to not win that game and we’d let the last few games get away from us. I just wanted to make sure and close it out no matter what.”

Charlotte can secure a series split with the Chiefs (57-38) with a win in the final game of their four-game series on Sunday afternoon. The newly acquired (from the Houston Astros) Bobby Doran is slated to start.

Notes: Following Saturday’s White Sox game, Chicago optioned RHP Andre Rienzo to the Knights. The native of Brazil was 4-5 with a 5.87 ERA in 14 appearances with the White Sox.

Game 96: Charlotte Knights vs. Syracuse Chiefs

Here are the lineups:

Knights (38-58)

Marcus Semien 2B

Tyler Saladino DH

Josh Phegley C

Jordan Danks CF

Matt Davidson SS*

Andy Wilkins 1B

Matt Tuiasosopo 3B

Blake Tekotte LF

Michael Taylor RF

Pitching: RHP Daniel McCutchen (0-0, 9.72 ERA)

Chiefs (56-37)

Emmanuel Burriss SS

Zach Walters 2B

Steven Souza Jr. CF

Tyler Moore DH

Brandon Laird 3B

Greg Dobbs 1B

Destin Hood RF

Jhonatan Solano C

Josh Johnson LF

Pitching: RHP Josh Roenicke (4-4, 4.97 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Notes: Following today’s White Sox game, Chicago optioned RHP Andre Rienzo to the Knights. According to reports out of Chicago, the team plans to add a position player to take Rienzo’s place on the Major League roster. … Just before 6 p.m. today, Knights 2B/ SS Carlos Sanchez was scratched from Charlotte’s lineup and “put on hold” to join the White Sox, according to Knights manager Joel Skinner. … Chicago SS Alexei Ramiez left today’s game in the fourth inning with a back issue. … Tyler Saladino is DHing today because of what Skinner called a “minor forearm thing.” … Knights 2B Micah Johnson is already on his way to the Futures Game (he left at 8 a.m.) and not currently with the club. As a result, Matt Davidson is making his first professional start at SS tonight and Matt Tuiasosopo (who has Major League experience at the position) is starting at 3B.

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.

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.