KNIGHTS KNOTES — June 30, 2021
KNIGHT LIGHTS: The Charlotte Knights (19–28, 6th) return home tonight to open a six-game homestand against the Norfolk Tides (20–26, 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 13–11 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 now 7–5 this year against the Tides, thanks to another win last night.
ABOUT LAST KNIGHT: The Charlotte Knights walked-off with a thrilling 5–4 win in 13 innings on Tuesday night in the opening game of a six-game series from Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte. First baseman Zach Remillard scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the 13th on a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Tim Beckham. INF Jake Burger led the way offensively for the Knights with four hits. He launched his 10th home run of the season in the bottom of the second and finished the game 4-for-4 with the home run, two runs scored, two RBIs and two walks. LHP Tanner Banks (3–2, 3.75) earned the win after three solid innings in relief. He allowed just one unearned run on two hits, while striking out five batters.
ROSTER MOVE: LHP Jace Fry was recalled by the Chicago White Sox today. Fry went 0–0 with a 1.93 ERA in 13 games this season with the Chicago White Sox (14.0 IP/21 SO). He began the season on Chicago’s 60-day injured list after he underwent a microdiscectomy on January 7, 2021. Fry, 27, appeared in 18 games with the White Sox last season and went 0–1 with a 3.66 ERA in 19.2. innings pitched.
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT: INF Jake Burger will represent the Chicago White Sox organization at the 2021 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, which will take place on Sunday, July 11th at Coors Field in Denver, CO. The game will feature some of the top prospects in Minor League Baseball competing in a seven-inning contest as part of the 2021 MLB All-Star Week.
BURGER KING: For the season, INF Jake Burger is hitting .317 (53-for-167) with 28 runs scored, 14 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs and 35 RBIs in 41 games. He currently leads the Knights in hits, doubles, RBIs and is tied for the team lead with Tim Beckham in home runs. He is second in the Triple-A East in hits, tied for fifth in RBIs, sixth in batting average, seventh in slugging percentage (.593), tied for sixth in OPS (.958), tied for third in doubles, second in extra-base hits (25) and third in total bases (99). Burger, 25, entered the 2021 season ranked by MLB.com as the 16th prospect in the White Sox system. He was selected by Chicago in the first round (11th overall) of the June 2017 First-Year Player Draft.
FROM THE SOUTH TO THE SOUTH SIDE: The Knights have sent nine 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), OF Luis González (June 22) and LHP Jace Fry (June 30).
JUNE BOOM: INF Jake Burger, 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. Burger leads the team with a .348 mark, while Reynolds is second with a .338 batting average. Beckham is third with a .321 mark. Beckham’s nine home runs and 21 RBIs in June are the most on the Knights this month, while Burger’s 32 hits are the most this month on the Knights.
TO-KNIGHTS STARTING PITCHER: RHP Mike Wright (4–1, 2.42) will get the start tonight against his former team. Wright 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 fourth 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.
