Knights Knotes: April 27, 2017
KNIGHT LIGHTS: The Charlotte Knights (Chicago White Sox) began a six-day trip through Ohio on Tuesday and opened a three-game series against the Toledo Mud Hens (Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers). The Knights entered the game with an 0–7 road record this season and were in search of their first road since August 28, 2016 at Norfolk. The Knights earned that first road win — beating the Mud Hens by a score of 2–1 on Tuesday. Last night, the Knights lost game two by a score of 4–1. After this series concludes with today’s finale, the Knights will head to Columbus, Ohio to open a three-game series against the Columbus Clippers (Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians) on Friday.
ABOUT LAST KNIGHT: OF Willy Garcia and catcher Kevan Smith recorded two hits apiece, but the Charlotte Knights dropped game two of their three-game series to the Toledo Mud Hens by a score of 4–1 on Wednesday from Fifth Third Field in Toledo, OH. Wednesday’s loss snapped a two-game winning streak by the Knights. RHP Lucas Giolito (0–3, 6.63) was saddled with the game two loss after allowing four runs on five hits over five innings pitched. Giolito allowed a solo home run to Brendan Ryan in the fifth inning. Giolito, Chicago’s second best prospect as ranked by Baseball America, threw 83 pitches (52 for strikes).
KINGS OF THE QUEEN CITY: In nine home games this season, the Knights have won seven of their nine games this season at BB&T Ballpark (7–2) and have thrived at home in Uptown Charlotte this year. In nine home games, the team is hitting .313 (100-for-320) with 57 runs scored, 12 doubles, two triples, 12 home runs, and 50 RBIs. Charlotte pitching has posted a 3.14 ERA at BB&T Ballpark this season in 83.0 IP. In comparison, the Knights are 1–8 on the road this season after last night’s 4–1 loss. Charlotte started out by losing their first seven road games before winning Tuesday’s game.
BIG NICKY: 3B Nicky Delmonico continued his hot hitting last night with another hit. Delmonico, who now has a seven-game hitting streak, is hitting .324 (23-for-71) with 13 runs scored, one home run, and nine RBIs this season in 18 games. He’s hit safely in 14 of 18 games this season and is hitting .464 (13-for-28) with four runs scored and three RBIs over his seven-game hit streak.
MONCADA MANIA: 2B Yoan Moncada, who entered the 2017 season ranked as the number two prospect in all of Major League Baseball according to Baseball America and MLB.com, is tied for first in the IL in runs scored with 14. Overall, Moncada is now hitting .290 (20-for-69) with 14 runs scored, four home runs, five RBIs, and four stolen bases over his first 17 games with the Knights this season. He has a .372 on base percentage. He was acquired by the White Sox from the Boston Red Sox on December 6, 2016 as part of a package that sent LHP Chris Sale to Boston. Moncada, a native of Cienfuegos, Cuba, made his professional debut during the 2015 season with Single-A Greenville. He made his Major League debut with the Red Sox on September 2, 2016. Following the 2016 campaign, Moncada was named as Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year.
IN THE PEN: LHP Brian Clark allowed two hits and one walk in his first appearance with the Knights last night. Clark, who began the season on Charlotte’s disabled list, did not allow a run in the sixth inning… RHP Zack Burdi struck-out two batters over two innings last night. He has not allowed a run over his last three games (4.0 IP)… LHP David Holmberg (3–0, 0.00) has not allowed a run in five appearances (10.2 innings pitched) this season. Lefties are 0-for-11 against him at the plate so far this year. He is currently third in the IL among relievers in batting average against (.061). He’s allowed just two hits in 33 at-bats this year. He has also allowed the third fewest baserunners in the IL (5 in 10.2 IP).
KNIGHTS STARTING PITCHER: RHP Tyler Danish (1–1, 2.00) gets the start in today’s finale against the Mud Hens. Danish was effective in his third start of the season on April 20 against Pawtucket at BB&T Ballpark. He allowed three runs (one earned) in six innings. Over his last six Knights starts dating back to 7/18/16, Danish has allowed just seven earned runs in 36 innings pitched (2–2, 1.50 ERA). Danish entered the season ranked as the number 18 prospect in the Chicago White Sox system by Baseball America. Last season, Danish pitched over three levels, including in Birmingham (Double-A), Charlotte, and Chicago. He posted a 3–7 record with a 4.42 ERA in 12 starts for Birmingham before a promotion to Chicago and Charlotte. He went 0–0 with a 10.80 ERA in three games with the Sox and 1–3 with a 5.83 ERA in seven games (five starts ) with the Knights. Danish was selected by the White Sox in the second round of the 2013 draft. Danish was ranked as the ninth-best prospect in Chicago’s system heading into the 2016 season.
MUD HENS STARTING PITCHER: RHP Drew VerHagen (2–0, 2.40) gets the start today for Toledo — his fourth start of the season. VerHagen, 26, has won each of his last two starts and has not allowed more than two earned runs in a game this season. He went 1–0 with a 7.11 ERA in 19 games last season for the Tigers. Overall, in parts of three seasons in the majors, VerHagen owns a career mark of 3–1 with a 4.29 ERA in 40 big league games. Selected by the Detroit Tigers in the fourth round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of Vanderbilt University, he was ranked as Detroit’s №17 prospect by MLB.com entering the 2013 season.
FROM THE SOUTH TO THE SOUTH SIDE: RHP Chris Beck was promoted to Chicago on Tuesday — becoming the fifth Knights player this season to earn a promotion. RHP Tommy Kahnle was the first player to earn a promotion when he was recalled on April 6 by the White Sox. Catcher Kevan Smith had his contract purchased by the White Sox on April 13, outfielder Willy Garcia was recalled on April 14, and RHP Mike Pelfrey had his contract purchased on Saturday, April 22.
START THEM UP: RHP Carson Fulmer started Tuesday’s opener and was sharp over six innings, but did not factor in the decision. Fulmer tossed 112 total pitches and struck-out eight batters while allowing just one run. He has allowed just two runs over his last two starts (12.0 IP) and has held lefties to a .194 (7-for-36) batting average this season… RHP Reynaldo Lopez (1–1, 4.87) earned his first win of the season after pitching six strong innings on Saturday, April 22. Lopez, 23, gave up three runs on seven hits on the night. He walked four batters and fanned three. He has 22 strikeouts in 20.1 innings pitched this season. Lopez was obtained by the Chicago White Sox on December 7, 2016 with Charlotte teammate Lucas Giolito and Dane Dunning from the Washington Nationals for outfielder Adam Eaton.
ALL-TIME KNIGHT: OF Jason Bourgeois, 35, is back for his fourth season with the Knights and ranks among the all-time franchise leaders in a number of categories. On Sunday, April 9, Bourgeois passed Yolmer Sanchez (347) for third place on Charlotte’s all-time hits list. He is just one of five players in franchise history with 300 or more hits (Jordan Danks, 449, Joe Borchard, 439, Bourgeois, Sanchez, and Josh Phegley, 312). He recorded his 350th career Knights hit on Friday, April 14 and now has a total of 356 career Knights hits Bourgeois is also among the leaders in a number of other categories, including he is fifth in at-bats (1,231), seventh in games played (312), tied for third in triples (10), fourth in runs scored (170), and second in stolen bases (67). A native of Houston, TX, Bourgeois rejoined the Knights last season after playing for the team in 2007 and 2008. In 2013, he was named to the All Knights Stadium Team.
ATTENDANCE LEADERS: In nine home games this season at BB&T Ballpark, the Knights have welcomed three sell-out crowds and lead the International League in attendance with an 82,060 mark (9,118 fans per game). The Knights lost an opening back on Sunday, April 23. They are the only team to average 8,000 or more fans per game this season. On Friday, April 7, the Knights welcomed their 2 millionth fan. BB&T Ballpark is in its fourth season in Uptown Charlotte (2014 to present). The Knights spent 25 seasons in Fort Mill, SC including 24 total at Knights Stadium.
