Rey of Light
RHP Reynaldo Lopez (6–6, 3.65) gets the start for the Charlotte Knights today (Sunday, August 6) in the finale of a three-game series against the Gwinnett Braves from BB&T Ballpark. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. and first pitch is set for 5:05 p.m.
It’s been a busy week for Lopez, who was named as the Chicago White Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Month for July. He posted a 0–1 record with a 2.10 ERA in five July starts and earned that honor on Wednesday, August 2nd. Two days later, he was on a conference call with Chicago-area media talking about his season and more.
As Lopez, 23, takes the ball today, all eyes will be on this start. There will be eyes on him from here in Charlotte, NC, as well as eyes on him from Chicago, IL. Today’s start — his 22nd of the season with the Knights — will be broadcast live on Comcast SportsNet Chicago.
Lopez has put together a solid season — his first in the White Sox organization. He is currently among the International League leaders in game started (T-2nd), strikeouts (4th), batting average against (3rd), and ERA (10th). He’s held opponents to a .220 batting average this year while striking out 122 batters in 116.0 innings pitched.
Since July 1st, Lopez is 0–2 with a 2.31 ERA in six starts (35.0 IP, 23 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 10 BB, 43 SO). His 2.31 ERA over that span is the ninth-best in the IL since July 1st and his 43 strikeouts are fifth-best over that stretch.
Additional Knights Knotes: Right-handers are hitting .209 against him this season, while left-handers are hitting .232… When ahead in the count, Lopez has held opposing batters to a .156 batting average… He’s tallied double-digit strikeouts on four occasions this season, including a season-high 12 on July 16th at BB&T Ballpark against the Gwinnett Braves.
