KNIGHTS KNOTES — June 29, 2021
KNIGHT LIGHTS: The Charlotte Knights (18–28, 6th) return home tonight to open a six-game homestand against the Norfolk Tides (20–25, 5th). The Knights went 2–4 on their recent road trip against the Nashville Sounds (30–16, 2nd) from Nashville, TN. The Knights are just 6–17 on the road this season but are 12–11 at home.
KNIGHTS VS. TIDES: The Knights and Tides meet for a third series this week, second at Truist Field this year. The Knights beat the Tides five of six games in their first meeting this season in Norfolk (May 11–16) and then dropped four of five (rain-shortened series) in Norfolk (May 25–30). Overall this year, the Knights are 6–5 this year against the Tides
THE LAST KNIGHTS GAME: The Charlotte Knights dropped Sunday’s finale to the Nashville Sounds by a score of 5–4 from First Horizon Park in Nashville, TN. The Sounds broke a 4–4 tie in the ninth inning when Mitch Longo scored the game-winning run from third base on a fielder’s choice for the win. It was Nashville’s fourth win of the six-game series. RHP Reynaldo López started the game on Sunday and had his best effort of the season. López struck-out 11 batters over six solid innings. He allowed three runs on seven hits over six innings. RHP Will Carter (1–1, 8.38) was charged with the loss after he allowed two hits and the game-winning run in the ninth.
ROSTER MOVES: 1B/OF Gavin Sheets was recalled by the Chicago White Sox today, his second promotion to Chicago this year. The 25-year-old has appeared in 41 games with the Knights this season and was hitting .292 (47-for-161) with 23 runs scored, eight doubles, seven home runs and 33 RBIs. He is currently tied for seventh in the Triple-A East in RBIs and hits. Additionally, OF Luis González was optioned by the White Sox and is active for tonight’s game for the Charlotte Knights. González, 26, has appeared in 24 games this season with the Charlotte Knights this season and is hitting .195 (16-for-82) with 13 runs scored, three doubles, three home runs, 11 RBIs and five stolen bases. He has appeared in six game this season with the Chicago White Sox and is hitting .250 (2-for-8) with two runs scored and two doubles. He entered the 2021 season ranked by Baseball America as the ninth-best prospect in the organization.
FROM THE SOUTH TO THE SOUTH SIDE: The Knights have sent eight 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 & June 17), RHP Jimmy Lambert (May 31 & June 27), 1B/OF Gavin Sheets (June 3 & June 29) and OF Brian Goodwin (June 10) and OF Luis González (June 22).
JUNE BOOM: INF Tim Beckham and INF Matt Reynolds have been going back and forth during the month of June for the highest batting average by a Knights player this month. Reynolds leads the team in June with a .347 batting average, while Beckham is hitting .329 (24-for-73) during the month of June. Beckham’s nine home runs and 21 RBIs in June are the most on the Knights this month. INF Jake Burger is hitting .318 (28-for-88) in June. His 28 hits are the most this month on the Knights.
GOOD BURGER: INF Jake Burger is hitting .301 (49-for-163) on the season and is among the team leaders in a number of categories. He is tied for first in hits (49), tied for second in runs scored (26), second in home runs (9) and tied for first in RBIs (33). He is currently in his first season at the Triple-A level and play in his first season since 2017 (missed 2018 & 2019 to injuries and 2020 to the cancellation of the MiLB season).
THE WRIGHT STUFF: RHP Mike Wright (4–1, 2.42) is among the Triple-A East leaders in a number of categories. His 2.42 ERA on the season is the best mark in the league. He is also tied for third in strikeouts (53), first in batting average against (.190), first in WHIP (0.93) and sixth in IP (48.1). Over his last six starts, Wright is now 4–0 with a 2.11 ERA and 38 strikeouts over 38.1 innings pitched.
TO-KNIGHTS STARTING PITCHER: RHP Alex McRae (2–2, 4.76) will make his fourth start of the season tonight in the opener of the series. He started for the Knights last week on Wednesday and was sharp over five shutout innings against the Nashville Sounds to earn the win. He gave up just five hits and one walk. He has now earned back-to-back wins after winnings his last start on June 16 against Jacksonville with five solid innings (allowed one run on four hits). Also this season, McRae has appeared in two games with the White Sox this season and is 0–0 with a 4.50 ERA in two innings pitched. McRae was signed by the White Sox as a free agent on January 6, 2021.
