Knights Knotes — May 5, 2018
KNIGHT LIGHTS: The Charlotte Knights (Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox) hit the road on Thursday to open up an eight-game road trip through Columbus, OH and then Lawrenceville, GA. The road trip began on Thursday night with a four-game series against the Columbus Clippers (Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians). The Knights (11–16) have dropped each of the first two games of the series and will continue the series with the Clippers tonight at 7:15 p.m. in game three of the four-game series. This trip is their first of two road trips to Huntington Park this season (other trip is May 18–20). The Knights wrapped up a six-game homestand at BB&T Ballpark on Wednesday, going 3–3 on the homestand (2–1 against Norfolk and 1–2 against Gwinnett).
ABOUT LAST KNIGHT: The Charlotte Knights slugged three home runs on Friday, but dropped game two of their four-game series against the Columbus Clippers by a score of 7–5 from Huntington Park in Columbus, OH. The Clippers broke a 5–5 tie in the sixth inning and tacked on an insurance run in the seventh inning to win for the second consecutive day. In the sixth inning, Richie Shaffer, a product of Providence High School in Charlotte, NC, singled home Brandon Barnes to give the Clippers a 6–5 lead. One inning later, Barnes singled home Adam Rosales to give the Clippers a 7–5 lead at that point. Both of those runs came off Charlotte reliever Thyago Vieira (0–1, 6.92), who was charged with the loss. RHP Cole Sulser earned the win and RHP Neil Ramirez notched his third save of the season for the Clippers.
KNIGHTS VS. CLIPPERS: Last season, the Charlotte Knights went 7–4 against the Clippers overall. In Columbus, OH, the Knights posted a 2–1 mark, while they went 5–3 at BB&T Ballpark. So far, the Knights are 0–2 this season against Columbus. In their all-time series (since 1993), the Knights are 135–157 against the Clippers. The Knights are 12–23 all-time at Huntington Park.
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVES: INF José Rondón, who has hit safely in nine-straight games and is tied for the team lead in home runs with four, was recalled by the Chicago White Sox today. Rondón becomes the ninth player this season to earn a promotion.
FROM THE SOUTH TO THE SOUTH SIDE: Last season, the Knights promoted a total of 22 players to the Chicago White Sox. So far already this season, the Knights have now promoted eight players to the White Sox. The nine players who have been promoted this season are: RHP Bruce Rondόn, RHP Chris Volstad, RHP Gregory Infante, RHP Chris Beck, OF Daniel Palka, RHP Juan Minaya, RHP Dylan Covey, LHP Jace Fry, and INF José Rondón.
MORE ON JOSÉ RONDÓN: INF José Rondόn extended his hit streak to nine-straight games last night with his fourth home run of the season. In 24 games this season, he is hitting .286 (28-for-98). Over his last 10 games, he is hitting .310 (13-for-42) with six runs scored, one home run, and three RBIs. For the season, he is tied for fourth in the league in triples (2) and fourth in total bases (48). He was acquired by the Chicago White Sox from the LA Angels of Anaheim on January 10, 2018 in exchange for cash considerations.
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER: LHP TJ House (0–3, 8.83) will get the start for the Knights tonight in game three of the four-game series. House is facing his former team, the Columbus Clippers and is in search of his first win of the 2018 season. Tonight’s start is his fifth of the season.
HOME RUN KNIGHTS: The Knights launched three home runs last night. Catcher Kevan Smith homered again last night — his fourth of the season and third over his last four games. He hit a home run in back-to-back games (Tuesday and Wednesday at BB&T Ballpark). His four home runs are tied for the team lead with José Rondόn, who also homered last night. Infielder Matt Skole, who has reached base in eight-straight games, launched his second home run of the season last night. He hit his first home run of the season the night before — giving him two in two days. He has 104 home runs in his minor league career. As a team, the Knights have hit 20 home runs.
WHO’S HOT: Infielder Juan Perez has reached base in 10-straight home games from 4/13 to present. Perez was signed by the Chicago White Sox as a free agent on February 2, 2018… Infielder Matt Skole, who has homered in back-to-back games, is hitting .500 (5-for-10) in the month of May (3 games) with two home runs and three RBIs. He is hitting .318 (7-for-22) with five runs scored, two home runs, and four RBIs over his last four games… RHP Jeanmar Gómez has not allowed a run over his last 6.1 innings pitched (3 games)… RHP Rob Scahill has not allowed an earned run over his last five games (5.0 IP).
IL LEADERS: INF Matt Skole is first in the IL this season in walks (18)… OF Jacob May leads the IL in sacrifice hits (4)… INF José Rondón is third in hits (28) and fourth in total bases (48)… In the pitching department, RHP Michael Kopech is third in the IL in strikeouts (35)… LHP TJ House is tied for first in the IL in complete games (1)… RHP Rob Scahill is tied for third in games (11)… LHP Xavier Cedeño is tied for the league lead in holds with four… In the team department, the Knights lead the IL in stolen bases with 27.
