KNIGHTS KNOTES — June 11, 2021
KNIGHT LIGHTS: The Charlotte Knights opened a six-game road series on Tuesday night against the Durham Bulls, Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, from Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham, NC. The Bulls (23–9) are tied for first in the Triple-A East Southeast Division with the Nashville Sounds, The Knights (11–21) are seventh in the Triple-A East Southeast Division.
AGAINST THE BULLS: The Knights and Bulls met last month in a six-game series at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The Bulls won five of the six games. Charlotte’s lone win came on May 20 in a 6–4 win. So far in this series, the Knights have dropped the first three games. The Knights are now 1–8 this season against the Bulls.
ABOUT LAST KNIGHT: The Charlotte Knights dropped Thursday’s game three matchup against the Durham Bulls by a score of 3–2 from Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Durham pinch-hitter Josh Lowe hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning against Charlotte RHP Zack Burdi (0–2, 6.23) to give the Bulls the win.
MATT’S BAT: INF Matt Reynolds had a game-high three hits last night and now has a five-game hitting streak (6/4-present). He has eight hits over that five-game span. In eight games during the month of June, Reynolds is hitting .360 (9-for-25) with three runs scored, one double, one triple, and four RBIs.
JUNE BOOM: INF Tim Beckham, who homered in back-to-back games to begin this series, has recorded three home runs and six RBIs in June (six games). Beckham, 31, is hitting .300 in June (6-for-20). He was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays as the first overall pick in the June 2008 First-Year Player Draft.
REHABBING: Chicago White Sox LHP Jace Fry has appeared in six games with the Knights on his major league rehab assignment. He has fanned nine batters over seven scoreless, hitless innings pitched on his rehab assignment. He is currently on Chicago’s 60-day injured list.
BURGER KING: 3B Jake Burger is the team leader in home runs with six and has hit safely in 21 of his last 25 games. Ranked as the number 16 prospect in Chicago’s system by MLB.com, Burger is playing for the first time since 2017. He missed 2018 & 2019 to injuries and 2020 to the cancellation of the MiLB season.
FROM THE SOUTH TO THE SOUTH SIDE: With the promotion of OF Brian Goodwin yesterday, the Knights have now sent seven players to the Chicago White Sox this season. Those players in order are: INF Danny Mendick (May 4), RHP Alex McRae (May 14), RHP Ryan Burr (May 27), RHP Zack Burdi (May 29), RHP Jimmy Lambert (May 31), 1B/OF Gavin Sheets (June 3) and OF Brian Goodwin (June 10).
TO-KNIGHTS STARTING PITCHER: RHP Mike Wright (2–1, 2.10), who twirled seven shutout innings on Friday, June 4 en route to his second win in as many outings, will get the start tonight in Durham. His seven-inning start was his second of 2021 and the third by a Knights pitcher this year (LHP Matt Tomshaw had a seven-inning start on May 23).
ALL WRIGHT: RHP Mike Wright is currently among the Triple-A East leaders in a number of categories. His 2.10 ERA on the season is the fourth-best in the league. He is also ninth in strikeouts (37), third in batting average against (.187) and second in WHIP (0.90).
