KNIGHTS KNOTES — September 29, 2021
KNIGHT LIGHTS: The Charlotte Knights (47–78) begin the final road trip of the season today when they face the Memphis Redbirds (58–67) in game one of a five-game series from AutoZone Park in Memphis, TN. Overall this season, the Knights are seventh in the Triple-A East, while Memphis is fifth.
MEMPHIS SERIES: This is the first time the Charlotte Knights and Memphis Redbirds will meet this season and the first time the two teams have ever met. The last time a Charlotte team played a Memphis team was in 1992 when the Knights and the Memphis Chicks (Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals) faced off. That year, the Knights, a Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, posted a 70–73 mark. The Chicks went 71–73 that season. The Knights were a Double-A franchise from 1988–1992.
THE FINAL STRETCH: The Knights are in the midst of playing the final 10 games of 2021 during the inaugural “Final Stretch” — which kicked-off on Thursday, September 23 with the doubleheader against the Norfolk Tides. The Knights went 2–3 in the series. Among the 30 Triple-A clubs, a single 2021 Triple-A Final Stretch Winner will be crowned based on the highest overall winning percentage during this 10-game stretch. The winning club will be awarded a prize from Major League Baseball.
THE LAST KNIGHTS GAME: The Charlotte Knights dropped the final home game of the 2021 campaign by a score of 6–1 to the Norfolk Tides from Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte on Sunday. In the third inning, the Knights scored one run thanks to a Danny Mendick RBI double. It was Charlotte’s only run of the game. The team had six hits on the night.
RECENT ROSTER MOVES: INF Matt Reynolds was activated off the Temporary Inactive List on September 27 and rejoined the team in Memphis after the birth of his son. LHP Tanner Banks was placed on the Temporary Inactive List on September 27.
HOMESTAND REPORT: Over the course of the 11-game homestand, the Knights posted a 3–8 mark (2–3 during “The Final Stretch”). The Knights went just 1–5 against the Durham Bulls at the start of the homestand and 2–3 against the Norfolk Tides. OF Mikie Mahtook led the team in home runs (4) and tied for the lead in RBIs (7). OF Micker Adolfo had three home runs and seven RBIs.
BLAKE RAKES: OF Blake Rutherford is the team leader in doubles with 28 and is currently tied for fourth in the Triple-A East this season in that category. He is the team leader in hits with 109 and is tied for ninth in the Triple-A East in that category.
TOKNIGHTS STARTER: RHP Johan Domínguez (0–0, 9.00) will make his second Triple-A start today with the Knights in game one of the series. He was promoted to Charlotte from Double-A Birmingham on September 22. Domínguez, 25, began the season with High-A Winston-Salem and posted a 3–6 record with a 4.80 ERA in 15 games (all starts) in 65.2 innings pitched. He was promoted to Double-A Birmingham on August 10 and went 2–2 with a 4.33 ERA in seven games (all starts) in 35.1 innings pitched. He was acquired by the White Sox from the Milwaukee Brewers in a trade on July 31, 2018.
FROM THE SOUTH TO THE SOUTHSIDE: In all, the Knights have sent 16 different players to the Chicago White Sox this year. Those players, in order by their first promotion: INF Danny Mendick (May 4, August 12, August 15 & August 31), RHP Alex McRae (May 14), RHP Ryan Burr (May 27, August 16 & September 4), RHP Zack Burdi (May 29 & June 17 ), RHP Jimmy Lambert (May 31, June 27, August 1 & September 6), 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, September 23 & September 26), RHP Mike Wright (August 16), INF Romy Gonzalez (September 1) and C Zack Collins (September 14).
