Game 35 lineups: Syracuse Chiefs at Charlotte Knights

Here are the lineups:

Chiefs (16-19)

Emmanuel Burriss SS

Tony Gwynn Jr. LF
Darin Mastroianni RF
Ian Stewart DH
Jason Martinson 3B
Kila Ka'aihue 1B

Matt den Dekker CF

Dan Butler C
Cutter Dykstra SS

Pitching: RHP Scott McGregor (3-2, 3.62)

Knights (19-15)

Micah Johnson 2B
Jason Coats LF

Neftali Soto DH

Matt Davidson 3B 
Dan Black 1B
Trayce Thompson CF
Tyler Colvin RF

Kevan Smith C
Drew Garcia SS

Pitching: RHP Kyle Drabek (0-1, 1.89)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: WMYT My12 / ESPN 730 

Roster Move: On Saturday, the Knights activated RHP Matt Lindstrom from the DL. 

Game 34 lineups: Micah Johnson leading off and playing second for Charlotte Knights

Here are the lineups:

Chiefs (15-19)

Emmanuel Burriss SS

Tony Gwynn Jr. LF
Darin Mastroianni CF
Ian Stewart 3B
Mark Minicozzi DH
Kila Ka'aihue 1B

Matt den Dekker RF

Steve Lerud C
Josh Johnson 2B

Pitching: LHP Matthew Spann (NR)

Knights (19-14)

Micah Johnson 2B
Jason Coats LF

Neftali Soto 1B

Matt Davidson 3B 
Dan Black DH
Trayce Thompson CF
Matt Tuiasosopo RF

Kevan Smith C
Drew Garcia SS

Pitching: RHP Erik Johnson (3-2, 4.39)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV / ESPN 730 

Game 22 preview: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at Charlotte Knights

Here are the lineups:

RailRiders (11-12)

Jose Pirela 2B

Slade Heathcott CF
Rob Refsnyder DH
Ramon Flores LF
Tyler Austin RF
Austin Romine C
Nick Noonan SS

Jonathan Galvez 3B
Rob Segedin 1B

Pitching: RHP Jaron Long (0-1, 6.10)

Knights (13-8)

Leury Garcia CF

Carlos Sanchez 2B

Neftali Soto DH

Matt Davidson 3B
Tryace Thompson RF

Dan Black 1B
Jason Coats LF
Kevan Smith C
Drew Garcia SS

Pitching: RHP Chris Beck (0-1, 5.31)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: WMYT My12 / ESPN 730 

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.

Opening Day: Norfolk Tides at Charlotte Knights

Here are the lineups:

Tides (0-0)

Nolan Reimold LF

Chris Parmelee DH

Dariel Alvarez CF

Christian Walker 1B

Steve Clevenger C

Jayson Nix 2B

Henry Urrutia RF

Michael Almanzar 3B

Paul Janish SS

Pitching: RHP Tyler Wilson (0-0, 0.00)

Knights (0-0)

Tyler Saladino SS

Leury Garcia 2B

Neftali Soto 1B

Matt Davidson 3B

Engel Beltre RF

Trayce Thompson CF

Matt Tuiasosopo DH

Kevan Smith C

Jared Mitchell LF

Pitching: RHP Brad Penny (0-0, 0.00)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV / ESPN 730

Notes: The Charlotte Knights open their sophomore season at BB&T Ballpark against the Norfolk Tides. … Last season, the Knights watched 687,715 fans walk through their gates over the course of 71 home games – the most in all of Minor League Baseball. … Tonight’s starter for Charlotte, Brad Penny, is a veteran of 14 Major League seasons. He signed with the White Sox as a free agent back in December. The righthander owns a career record of 121-101 with a 4.29 ERA in 349 big league appearances. … Jeff Shaefer, who is the only player to have won championships with both the Charlotte O’s and Knights, will throw out tonight’s first pitch. … The Knights played in two exhibition/scrimmage games at BB&T earlier this week and won both, defeating their parent club, the Chicago White Sox 10-2 last Friday and the Davidson Wildcats 2-0 (in 6 ½ innings) on Monday. … The Knights went 11-10 against the Tides in 2014 and 8-3 against them at BB&T. … Tides’ starter, Tyler Wilson, is ranked by Baseball America as the Baltimore Orioles No. 12 prospect. He went 4-3 with a 3.60 ERA in 12 starts with Norfolk in 2014.

White Sox top prospects (according to Baseball America) currently on the Charlotte Knights roster: No. 1. LHP Carlos Rodon; No. 11. RHP Chris Beck; No. 14 3B Matt Davidson; No. 15 C Kevan Smith; No. 18 CF Trayce Thompson; No. 19 SS Tyler Saladino; No. 29 LF Jared Mitchell. 

Joel Skinner back, as Charlotte Knights' coaching staff remains largely intact

The Chicago White Sox announced their 2015 player development staff on Wednesday afternoon and although several lower-level farm teams will be getting used to new faces, the Charlotte Knights’ staff from 2014 will remain largely intact. 

Joel Skinner will return for a fourth consecutive season as the Knights’ manager, along with Richard Dotson (pitching coach), Andy Tomberlin (hitting coach), Ryan Newman (bench coach) and Chad Efron (strength and conditioning).

Skinner is the winningest manager in Knights’ franchise history (211) and his four-year run at the helm will also make him the lonest tenured skipper in team history.  

The lone new face in the clubhouse – Scott Johnson (athletic trainer) -- should actually look familiar to long-time Knights’ fans. Johnson spent the past two seasons (2013-14) with Double-A Birmingham, but previously spent 12 seasons with Charlotte from 1999-2010.

“We are very pleased to embark on our second season at BB&T Ballpark in Uptown Charlotte with Joel Skinner returning as our field manager,” Knights Chief Operating Officer Dan Rajkowski said via press release. “Joel’s leadership, experience, and ability to develop future Major League talent have been evident over the past three seasons. We also welcome Richard, Ryan, Andy, Chad, and Scott back to the Knights staff this year.”

The Knights – who had 19 players promoted to the White Sox during 2014 -- finished 63-81 in their return to Charlotte under Skinner’s guidance.

In Skinner’s first season as manager of the Knights, he led the club to an International League Southern Division title (2012). That season, the Knights posted a 83-61 mark -- the club's second highest single season win total in franchise history

Dotson will enter his eighth season as the teams’ pitching coach.

Tomberlin, an alumnus of Piedmont High School, is back for a second consecutive with the club (The Monroe, NC native also spent 2012 as Charlotte’s hitting coach in Fort Mill, SC). Under Tomberlin’s guidance last season, the Knights slugged 176 home runs, which tied with High Desert (California League) for the most in Minor League Baseball.

The likely first chance for Knights’ fans to catch Skinner and company in person will come on Friday, April 3 when the White Sox and Knights will collaborate on a “Leadoff Luncheon” at the Charlotte Convention Center.

Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura, along with Rick Hahn (White Sox Senior Vice President/General Manager), Buddy Bell, (Chicago White Sox Vice President/Assistant General Manager), and members of the 2015 Knights will be on hand to answer questions and sign autographs.

Later on April 3, the White Sox and Knights will play a charity exhibition game at BB&T Ballpark, beginning at 6 p.m.

For a full list of the White Sox 2015 player development staff, click here.  

Note: Former Knights catcher Cole Armstrong will manage the Great Falls Voyagers (the White Sox Advanced rookie affiliate in MT) this year. He hit 10 home runs for Charlotte in 2009.

Knights to Host the Chicago White Sox in Exhibition Game on April 3

Per team release...

(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) – After a record-breaking inaugural season at BB&T Ballpark -- the most visited venue in Minor League Baseball in 2014 -- the Charlotte Knights will open the 2015 campaign in Uptown Charlotte with an exhibition game against their parent club, the Chicago White Sox, on Friday, April 3 at 6:05 p.m. Charlotte Knights General Manager of Baseball Operations Scotty Brown, along with White Sox Director of Player Development Nick Capra, made the joint announcement at BB&T Ballpark on Tuesday.

"This is a great way to kick off our second season at BB&T Ballpark," said Knights Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer Dan Rajkowski. "We are very pleased to welcome the Chicago White Sox to Uptown Charlotte. This is an opportunity for our fans to see some former Knights who are now playing for the White Sox and to see a competitive game against our parent club.” 

The White Sox and Knights last faced off in exhibition play at Knights Stadium in Fort Mill, SC on April 1, 2010. In all, the Knights and White Sox have played two exhibition games over the course of their 16-year affiliation. The Knights hosted the White Sox during the first season of their affiliation in 1999.

“We are very excited for the Chicago White Sox to travel to Charlotte and help open the second season of BB&T Ballpark, one of the finest facilities in Minor League Baseball,” said Rick Hahn, White Sox senior vice president/general manager. “Charlotte is a first class city with a first-class venue and the Knights have served as an outstanding Class AAA affiliate to our major-league club since 1999.  Every spring, we explain to our roster that it takes far more than 25 men for any team to win a championship, and for the White Sox much of that talent comes through Charlotte each summer.”

Since 1999, Chicago has supplied the on-field talent to Charlotte, making it the fourth longest current affiliation agreement in the Triple-A International League behind the Pawtucket Red Sox (1973 first year with Boston), the Toledo Mud Hens (1987 first year with Detroit), and the Durham Bulls (1998 first year with Tampa Bay). The Knights and White Sox extended their affiliation for an additional six seasons on December 10, 2013. The Knights and White Sox partnership will stay intact through the 2020 season.

The Charlotte Knights opened their inaugural season at BB&T Ballpark on Friday, April 11, 2014 to a sell-out crowd of 10,231 fans. It was the first professional baseball game played in Charlotte for the Knights since the final home game of the 1988 season on August 31, 1988. The 2015 exhibition game will be the first time a Major League team will play in the city limits of Charlotte since April 12, 1984 when the Charlotte O’s hosted the Baltimore Orioles.

White Sox announce September callups; Seven Knights promoted

Here's the official release: 

With the 2014 Charlotte Knights record-breaking regular season complete, the Chicago White Sox have announced the promotions of seven players off of Charlotte’s final regular season roster. Officially joining Chicago’s roster today as September call-ups are Chris Bassitt,Scott Carroll, Jordan Danks, Josh Phegley, Marcus Semien, Eric Surkamp, and Michael Taylor. Six of the seven players have spent time with the White Sox in their careers, while today’s promotion is the first for Taylor with Chicago. The Stanford University product, who had his contract purchased by the White Sox today, spent parts of three seasons in the majors with the Oakland A’s from 2011-13 (26 games). Taylor becomes the 40^th player on Chicago’s 40-man roster.

Bassitt, 25, made his Major League debut with the White Sox on Saturday, August 30 after being promoted from the Birmingham Barons (Double-A). He allowed five runs on seven hits over 5.1 innings and was saddled with the loss in his debut. With Birmingham, Bassitt posted a 3-1 record with a 1.56 ERA in six starts. He was optioned to Charlotte on August 31 but did not appear in a game for the Knights.

Carroll, 29, began the 2014 season with the Knights and made four starts with the club before his promotion to Chicago on April 27. The Liberty, MO native went 3-1 with a 1.57 ERA in 23 innings pitched with the Knights. In 22 games for the White Sox (16 starts), Carroll is 5-9 with a 5.07 ERA 108.1 innings pitched. Carroll was optioned to the Knights on August 30 and did not appear in a game in his second 2014 stint with the club.  

Danks, 28, finished his fifth season with the Knights on Monday and hit .270 with 16 home runs, and 57 RBIs in 93 games. It was a record-breaking season for Danks, who broke the all-time Knights hits record, games played record, at-bats record, and runs scored record. Overall, Danks has appeared in 463 games played with the Knights and has 1,682 at-bats, 449 hits, 215 walks, 95 doubles, 12 triples, 52 home runs, 222 RBIs, and 250 runs scored. He broke the all-time Knights franchise hits mark on July 31 at BB&T Ballpark – passing Joe Borchard’s mark of 439.

Phegley, 26, hit .274 (115-for-419) with 69 runs scored, 30 doubles, four triples, 23 home runs, and 75 RBIs in 107 games for the Knights this season. The Terre Haute, IN native was named as an International League Midseason and Postseason All-Star this season. He finished third overall in the IL in home runs and slugging percentage (.530) and ranked first among IL catchers in runs scored, triples, home runs, RBIs, and total bases (222). Defensively, Phegley, a 2012 MiLB Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner, led all IL catchers in games (105), total chances (893), putouts (799), and assists (86). He also threw out a league best 44% of attempted basestealers.

Semien, 23, returns to Chicago after beginning the 2014 season there. The San Francisco native hit .267 (81-for-303) with 57 runs scored, 20 doubles, three triples, 15 home runs, and 52 RBIs for the Knights in 83 games. From August 5 to August 30, Semien reached base in 24 consecutive games and hit .370 (30-for-81) with five home runs and 13 RBIs over that 24-game stretch.

Surkamp, 27, started the 2014 campaign as a member of Charlotte’s rotation and posted a 4-5 record with a 4.69 ERA in 18 starts (11 games) for the Knights. The Cincinnati, OH native earned IL Pitcher of the Week honors (June 16-22) and later earned his first promotion of the season to Chicago on June 26. In 23 games out of the Chicago bullpen, Surkamp is 1-0 with a 6.91 ERA (14.1 innings pitched).

Taylor, 28, was acquired by the White Sox from the Oakland organization in a trade on June 14. The Cheverly, MD native quickly made an impact with the Knights and hit .306 (67-for-219) with 41 runs scored, 18 doubles, two triples, six home runs, and 38 RBIs in 64 games. Overall, the former Philadelphia Phillies farmhand hit .275 (120-for-437) with 32 doubles, three triples, 11 home runs, and 69 RBIs in 123 games combined between Triple-A Sacramento and Charlotte this year.

With today’s announcement, 19 different players have earned a promotion from Charlotte to Chicago this year. RHP Jake Petricka (April 4), outfielder Jordan Danks (April 10), RHP Zach Putnam (April 17), RHP Andre Rienzo (April 19), LHP Charlie Leesman (April 22), RHP Scott Carroll (April 27), LHPFrank De Los Santos (May 3), RHP Frank Francisco (May 10), RHP Javy Guerra (May 20), LHPEric Surkamp (June 26), infielder Carlos Sanchez (July 13), RHP Taylor Thompson (July 20), RHPMaikel Cleto (August 4), 1B Andy Wilkins (August 31), and Scott Snodgress (August 31), are the other 15 players promoted in 2014.

---

Notably absent from today's promotions was White Sox top prospect Carlos Rodon, who allowed four runs on nine hits over the course of three appearances (12 IP) with the Knights. He struck out 19, walked eight, and hit a batter. Rodon was the White Sox first pick in this year's draft. 

Jared Mitchell is another name that many expected to be called today. After a slow start to the season and 42 games in Class AA Birmingham, Mitchell returned to the Knights and hit .274 (31-for-113) with a .376 OBP and four home runs over Charlotte's final 28 games. 

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 138: Charlotte Knights vs. Norfolk Tides

Here are the lineups:

Knights (61-76)

Jared Mitchell CF

Moises Sierra RF

Marcus Semien SS

Josh Phegley C
Andy Wilkins 1B
Michael Taylor DH

Matt Davidson 3B

Matt Tuiasosopo LF

Dan Wagner 2B

Pitching: RHP Daniel McCutchen (0-1, 10.18)

Tides (61-74)

Julio Borbon CF
Quintin Berry LF
Dariel Alvarez RF

Steve Clevenger C

Jimmy Paredes 3B
Christian Walker 1B

Jemile Weeks 2B

Henry Urrutia DH

Ivan De Jesus SS

Pitching: LHP Chris Jones (7-8, 3.80 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Notes: Chicago outfielder Moises Sierra, who is currently on the DL (left oblique), is set to begin his MLB rehab assignment with the Knights tonight. ... Also on Monday, the White Sox optioned Jordan Danks back to the Knights. Danks hit .289 in 12 games with a home run and four runs batted in during his recent stint with the White Sox.  ... Chicago is off today, Adam Eaton (who is eligible to come off the DL) will likely take Danks' place on the Sox roster. ...  Eaton concluded his MLB rehab assignment with Charlotte on Sunday (although he has not officially been activated). He went 3-for-10 with a double, two runs scored, a stolen base and a RBI in two games. ... Marcus Semien has homered in three-straight games and is hitting .500 (9-for-18) over his last five, with three HR, six RBIs and four runs scored. ... With a win tonight, Charlotte would complete a four-game sweep of the Tides. The Knights have won back-to-back games on walk-off hits.  

Carlos Rodon dominant in second Class AAA start; Knights walk off on Tides

Carlos Rodon is running out of opportunities to show the White Sox a reason not to call him up when rosters expand in September.

Considered by many to be one of the most major league-ready arms in this year’s draft, Rodon, 21, has not disappointed. 

The former NC State Wolfpack star and No. 3 overall pick allowed one run on one hit over four innings, while striking out a career-high eight in an 8-7 Charlotte Knights walk-off win over the Norfolk Tides in front of 9,328 at BB&T BallPark on Sunday.

After struggling with his fastball control over the first two innings, Rodon settled in to strike out five of the final six batters he faced.   

“I felt good,” said Rodon, who threw 73 pitches (47 strikes). “I had better command (as the start went on). I struggled a little bit early, but I made an adjustment and it ended up working well.”

Rodon’s final pitch of the night was a fastball away that left Tides shortstop Ivan De Jesus shaking his head as he walked back to the dugout.

“After the second, I just tried (to focus on) staying in my arm slot and trusting my stuff,” Rodon said. “(My last pitch of the game) was just nice and easy. I knew it was my last, so I gathered myself and it was smooth and came out good.”

In two starts with Charlotte (7 IP), Rodon has allowed two hits, two runs, and struck out 11. Of his 128 pitches, 72 have been strikes.

With the game tied 7-7 in the eighth inning, the Tides ran out of available pitchers and turned to infielder Alexi Casilla, who worked around a leadoff single to toss a clean frame. 

Casilla lacked the same luck in the ninth.  

A night after striking out in a bases-loaded situation where a fly ball would have won the game for Charlotte, Michael Taylor came up with the bases loaded again and, this time, came through with a walk-off single that landed on the warning track in center.

“I had an opportunity (Saturday) to win the game and it didn’t work out,” Taylor said. “It’s nice to get it (again) the next day and kind of close the book on the last 24 hours or so.”  

Asked his thoughts on Rodon, Taylor – who has been in professional baseball since 2007 – offered high praise.

“(Rodon’s) been as advertised and I think he’s got great stuff,” he said. “To me, he looks a lot like (San Francisco Giants starter) Madison Bumgarner. I faced him in his first start in Double-A back in 2009 and they look similar -- except (Rodon’s) probably got a better slider.

“That would be one heck of a major league pitcher if that’s who he ends up being.”

Assuming he's kept on normal rest, Rodon would be in line to start again on August 30 in Gwinnett with a goal of making it through five innings.

From there, his future is up to the White Sox.

Notes: Adam Eaton (MLB rehab) finished Sunday’s game 1-for-5 with a RBI single, a stolen base and a run scored. In two games with the Knights, the White Sox centerfielder has gone 3-for-10 with a double, a RBI and two runs scored. … Marcus Semien, Jared Mitchell, Matt Davidson and Josh Phegley each homered in the game for the Knights. ... Semien has now homered in three consecutive games. 

Takeaways from Carlos Rodon’s second start with the Charlotte Knights

Here's a couple quick takeaways from Carlos Rodon’s second start with the Charlotte Knights…

• Rodon’s slider is a plus pitch that will miss bats at any level. I’m going to need to watch the tape again, but I don’t think I saw the Norfolk Tides put a single one in play. That said, you'd like to see him establish his fastball more. 
• The 21-year-old got better as the game went on. After starting six of the first eight batters off with a ball, Rodon recovered to close his outing by throwing a first-pitch strike to six of the last seven. He also struck out five of the final six batters.
• When Rodon is getting ahead of batters, he’s as good as any pitcher to come through Charlotte this season – including Pawtucket’s Henry Owens and Norfolk’s Kevin Gausman. 
• The eight K’s in four innings of work are a new career high for Rodon, who fanned seven (over 3.2 IP) in his final start with Winston-Salem.
• Rodon's line after two appearances with the Knights: 7 IP, 2H, 2ER, 5BB, 11Ks -- 128 pitches (72 strikes).
• Projecting forward, I would expected Rodon to throw again for the Knights on 8/29 in Gwinnett with a pitch slightly below 100 and then for him to join the White Sox in September.

Game 137: Carlos Rodon leads Charlotte Knights against Norfolk Tides

Here are the lineups:

Knights (60-76)

Adam Eaton CF
Jared Mitchell LF

Marcus Semien SS

Josh Phegley C
Andy Wilkins 1B
Michael Taylor RF

Matt Davidson 3B

Matt Tuiasosopo DH

Justin Jirschele 2B

Pitching: LHP Carlos Rodon (0-0, 3.00)

Tides (61-73)

Julio Borbon CF
Jemile Weeks DH
Dariel Alvarez RF
Christian Walker 1B

Francisco Peguero LF

Ivan De Jesus SS

Jimmy Paredes 3B
Alexi Casilla 2B
Brian Ward C
Pitching: RHP Josh Stinson (5-4, 5.33 ERA)

Game time: 5:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Notes: White Sox top prospect Carlos Rodon is making his second start with the Knights. He's scheduled to throw five innings, or 75 pitches (whichever comes first). The third-overall pick in this year's MLB draft allowed one run on one hit and three walks over three innings of work (55 pitches) on 8/19. ... Adam Eaton (MLB rehab) went 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored on Saturday. He's expected to return to Chicago on Tuesday. ... Knights attendance (648,568) will surpass the 650,000 mark tonight. 

Josh Richmond's 11th-inning two-run home run helps Knights walk off on Tides, 5-3

Josh Richmond wanted to make one thing perfectly clear as he walked down the hallway towards the locker room following Saturday night’s Charlotte Knights walk-off win.

“Shaving cream stings real bad!” he said as he beelined for a sink to wash out his eyes.

Properly rinsed, Richmond returned to talk to reporters about his 11^th-inning two-run home run that secured the Knights a 5-3 victory over the Norfolk Tides in front of a sold-out crowd of 10,521 at BB&T BallPark.

“I was just trying to get a good pitch to hit and not try to do too much,” said Richmond, who entered the game in the 10^th inning for Adam Eaton -- who eventually nailed him with a shaving cream-covered towel during the post-game celebration. 

“I knew if I got one good pitch to hit, that I couldn’t miss it. And, fortunately enough, I got a pitch over the middle and put the barrel on it.”

The home run was Richmond’s second in as many nights, but carried more meaning than his first.

“This was the first time I’ve ever hit a walk-off home run,” Richmond said. “I think I might have hit one in high school, but it was the walk-off-run rule, so nobody really celebrated and it really wasn’t that cool. That one tonight was pretty cool.”

Chien-Ming Wang got the start for the Knights and wound up with a tough-luck no decision after pitching well. The right-hander allowed three runs over seven solid innings, scattering nine hits, while striking out five.

Marcus Semien (3-for-3) knocked in the Knights (60-76) first two runs with a solo home run in the fourth inning and a sacrifice fly in the sixth. The homer was Semien’s 12th this season.

Semien’s sacrifice fly brought home Eaton, who joined the Knights on Saturday on a Major League rehab assignment from the Chicago White Sox. Eaton, who is on the disabled list with an oblique strain, finished the game 2-for-5 with a double to right-center field that just missed leaving the yard.

"It felt good to be out there," Eaton said. "I was happy to be making strong contact again after having not been out there for 14-15 days. It was good to get on base a couple times and score a run that helped get us back in the game.

"The first two at-bats tonight I was kind of taking inventory every time I swung -- just making sure everything was still there," Eaton continued. "Then the last couple at-bats, I was able to take a full swing without any (concerns)."  

Wang cruised through the game’s first two innings, allowing just one hit (a bunt single) and striking out two over 18 pitches – 16 of which were strikes, but ran into trouble, allowing a run in the third and two more in the fourth, before settling back down.

Charlotte pulled even in the seventh inning after Matt Tuiasosopo laced a two-out double to right-center field and then came in to score on Justin Jershele’s (2-for-4, RBI) second single of the afternoon.

Following an Eaton single, Jared Mitchell (0-for-4) laced a ball to right field, but right at Tides outfielder Dariel Alvarez to end the threat. Despite hitting two balls on the button, Mitchell saw his season-long seven-game hitting streak come to an end.

“Josh (Richmond) is a great teammate. He’s a guy that plays with a lot of energy and it’s been nice to see him get some big hits these last two nights,” said Knights manager Joel Skinner. “He spoiled a couple of good pitches and then got one he could hit and put a good swing on it.”

Notes: Eric Surkamp, who was optioned back to Charlotte earlier Saturday morning, tossed two hitless innings of relief to pick up his fourth win of the season with the Knights. ... White Sox No. 9 prospect Chris Beck was placed on the DL (retroactive to 8/21) on Saturday with back spasms. The club is hopeful the right-hander will only miss one start. ... White Sox top prospect Carlos Rodon will make his second start with the Knights on Sunday. He's scheduled to throw five innings, or 75 pitches (whichever comes first). ... Adam Eaton (MLB rehab) is eligible to come off the DL Sunday, but according to the outfielder, he's looking at Tuesday as his most likely return date to the Majors. 

Game 136: Charlotte Knights vs. Norfolk Tides lineups and notes

Here are the lineups:

Knights (59-76)

Adam Eaton CF
Jared Mitchell LF

Marcus Semien SS

Josh Phegley C
Andy Wilkins DH
Michael Taylor RF

Matt Davidson 3B

Matt Tuiasosopo 1B

Justin Jirschele 2B

Pitching: RHP Chien-Ming Wang (12-8, 4.21)

Tides (61-72)

Julio Borbon CF
Quintin Berry LF
Dariel Alvarez RF
Jimmy Paredes 3B
Christian Walker 1B
Henry Urrutia DH
Ivan De Jesus SS
Jemile Weeks 2B
Brian Ward C
Pitching: RHP Steve Johnson (0-1, 7.39 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Notes: Tonight marks Chien-Ming Wang's eighth start with the Charlotte Knights. He's gone 4-3 with a 5.77 ERA since signing with the White Sox and being assigned to Class AAA. ... White Sox No. 9 prospect Chris Beck has been placed on the DL (retroactive to 8/21). The club is hopeful the right-hander will only miss one start. ... LHP Eric Surkamp was optioned to Charlotte by the White Sox and replaced Beck on the 25-man roster. ... Adam Eaton (oblique) begins his MLB rehab assignment tonight. He's hit .304 in 94 games with the White Sox this season. ... Jared Mitchell has a hit in a season-high seven straight games. He's hitting .312 in 19 games since returning from Class AA Birmingham. ... White Sox top prospect Carlos Rodon will make his second start with the Knights on Sunday. He's scheduled to throw five innings, or 75 pitches (whichever comes first). ... 

Game 135: Charlotte Knights vs. Norfolk Tides

Here are the lineups:

Knights (58-76)

Jared Mitchell CF

Marcus Semien SS

Josh Phegley C
Michael Taylor RF
Andy Wilkins 1B
Matt Tuiasosopo DH

Matt Davidson 3B

Josh Richmond LF
Justin Jirschele 2B

Pitching: RHP Bobby Doran (4-1, 6.03)

Tides (61-71)

Julio Borbon CF
Quintin Berry LF
Dariel Alvarez RF
Steve Clevenger C
Jimmy Paredes 3B
Christian Walker 1B
Henry Urrutia DH
Ivan De Jesus SS
Steve Lobardozzi 2B
Pitching: RHP Tyler Wilson (3-1, 2.96 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Series Probables: 

Saturday, 7:05 PM 

CHA -- RHP Chien-Ming Wang (12-8, 4.21) 
NOR -- RHP Steve Johnson (0-1, 7.39) 

Sunday, 5:05 PM 
CHA -- LHP Carlos Rodon (0-0, 3.00)
NOR -- RHP Josh Stinson (5-4, 5.33) 

Monday, 7:05 PM 
CHA -- TBD
NOR -- LHP Chris Jones (7-8, 3.80)

Notes: This is the eighth of nine series between the Knights and Tides this season. Charlotte has gone 8-9 against Norfolk. ... Carlos Sanchez, who hit .293 with Charlotte in 110 games this season has been promoted to Chicago and is in the White Sox starting lineup tonight, playing second base and hitting second. ... Sanchez took the roster spot of Gordon Beckham, who has been traded to the LA Angels for a player to be named later. ... Taking Sanchez' place on the Knights roster is Concord NC native Dan Wagner. The 2006 South Rowan High School graduate was hitting .203 in 80 games with Class AA Birmingham this season. ... White Sox CF Adam Eaton (oblique) is set to begin a MLB rehab assignment with the Knights starting on Saturday. 

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