KNIGHTS KNOTES — September 1, 2021
KNIGHT LIGHTS: The Charlotte Knights (39–63, 7th) opened a 13-game road trip last night with game one of a seven-game series against the Norfolk Tides (40–61, 6th) from Harbor Park in Norfolk, Va. Tonight, the two teams will play a doubleheader starting with game one at 5:05 p.m. Today’s doubleheader is due to the rainout on May 29 in Norfolk. Tonight’s doubleheader is Charlotte’s fourth over the last 20 days. The Knights are 3–3 in the six doubleheader games played over that span.
KNIGHTS VS. TIDES: The Knights, who won four of six games against the Tides at Truist Field from August 17–22, earned a 1–0 win in game one last night and have now won five of the last seven games against the Tides. Overall this season, the Knights are 14–10 against the Tides.
ABOUT LAST KNIGHT: DH Yermín Mercedes scored the team’s lone run in the top of the second inning as the Knights shut out the Norfolk Tides by a score of 1–0 from Harbor Park in Norfolk, VA on Tuesday. Mercedes, who singled in the inning, later scored the game’s lone run from third base on an RBI groundout from right fielder Micker Adolfo. LHP John Parke (2–2, 4.34) started for the Knights and was sharp over five shutout innings to earn the win. Parke allowed just two hits and one walk.
HAMILTON ACTIVATED OFF REHAB: The Knights announced four roster moves today ahead of the doubleheader. Chicago White Sox outfielder Billy Hamilton completed his rehab assignment and was reinstated by the White Sox today. He appeared in six games with the Knights on rehab, going 3-for-19 at the plate with two runs scored, one double and one stolen base.
THREE PROMOTED TO CHICAGO: INF Romy González, who was promoted to the Charlotte Knights from Double-A Birmingham on August 20, had his contract purchased by the Chicago White Sox today. Gonzalez, 24, appeared in nine games with the Knights this season and compiled a .344 batting average (11-for-32) with six runs scored, four doubles, three home runs, 10 RBIs and one stolen base. In his Triple-A debut on August 21, he hit two home runs, including a walk-off, three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth to lead the Knights to a 7–5 win over the Durham Bulls. He recorded seven hits over his first 10 career Triple-A at-bats with six going for extra bases (three doubles and three home runs)… 1B/OF Gavin Sheets was recalled by the White Sox today. The 25-year-old has appeared in 60 games with the Knights this season and hit .295 (67-for-227) with 36 runs scored, 15 doubles, 11 home runs and 46 RBIs. With the White Sox this season, Sheets is hitting .225 (20-for-89) with 10 runs scored, five doubles, six home runs and 16 RBIs in 29 games… RHP Matt Foster was recalled by the White Sox. In 11 games with the Knights this season, Foster went 0–1 with a 3.09 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 11.2 innings pitched. With the White Sox this season, Foster is 2–1 with one save, 36 strikeouts and a 5.67 ERA in 31 games (33.1 IP).
EDWARDS JR. SIGNED, CRICK RELEASED: RHP Carl Edwards Jr. was signed by the Chicago White Sox organization and assigned to Charlotte today. Edwards Jr. has pitched for both the Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves this season. In parts of seven seasons in the majors, Edwards Jr. is 9–8 with three saves and a 3.77 ERA in 206 games (186.1 innings pitched). The 29-year-old was originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 48th round of the 2011 MLB June Amateur Draft… RHP Kyle Crick was released by the Chicago White Sox today. He was signed as a free agent by the Chicago White Sox organization and assigned to Charlotte on July 30, 2021. Crick, 28, went 2–0 with a 0.87 ERA in eight games out of Charlotte’s bullpen (10.1 IP/15 SO).
TOKNIGHTS GAME 1 STARTER: LHP Kyle Kubat (2–0, 4.11) gets the ball in game one, his first start of the season with the Knights. Kubat has appeared in 18 games out of Charlotte’s bullpen this season and has 34 strikeouts over 35.0 innings pitched. Kubat has also appeared in three games this season with the Double-A Birmingham Barons, going 1–0 with a 2.25 ERA (8.0 IP).
TOKNIGHTS GAME 2 STARTER: RHP Lane Ramsey (0–3, 6.28) will make his second start of the season as he gets the ball in game two of today’s twin bill. In his first start of the season, Ramsey allowed two runs on four hits over two innings on August 20 against Norfolk from Truist Field.
FROM THE SOUTH TO THE SOUTHSIDE: In all, the Knights have now sent 15 different players to the Chicago White Sox this year. Those players in order are: INF Danny Mendick (May 4, August 12, August 15 & August 31), RHP Alex McRae (May 14), RHP Ryan Burr (May 27 & August 16), RHP Zack Burdi (May 29 & June 17 ), RHP Jimmy Lambert (May 31, June 27 & August 1), 1B/OF Gavin Sheets (June 3, June 29 & September 1), OF Brian Goodwin (June 10), OF Luis González (June 22), LHP Jace Fry (June 30), INF Jake Burger (July 2), C Seby Zavala (July 6), RHP Reynaldo López (July 16), RHP Matt Foster (July 19, August 3, August 11 & September 1), RHP Mike Wright (August 16) and INF Romy González (September 1).
