The system fought back strong after a winless Friday, with the three winning teams all getting back on the left-hand column with various degrees of domination.<\/p>\n
Charlotte Knights 7, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 2<\/a> (Statcast box<\/a>) But starting pitcher Evan McKendry? OK, well, he\u2019s a Brewers<\/a> product so given that ridiculous 2025 pipeline down I-94 it\u2019s almost as if we know him as well. But the righty really got the job done for the Knights tonight as they scraped back to .500 (43-43), with an efficient five-inning, 55-pitch effort. Well done, big fella.<\/p>\n Poll Jacob Amaya: 2-for-4, R, HR, RBI, BB, SB, 12.7% WPA<\/p>\n Evan McKendry: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, K, HR, WIN (2-6), HB, 39-of-54 strikes, 12.4% WPA<\/p>\n Tim Elko: 1-for-3, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, 3 hard hits, 12.2% WPA<\/p>\n Corey Julks: 1-for-4, 2 R, BB, 4 hard hits<\/p>\n Korey Lee: 2-for-5, RBI, SB, K, 0-for-1 CS<\/p>\n Dru Baker: 1-for-3, BB, CS<\/p>\n Jason Matthews: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB, 2 K<\/p>\n Jared Shuster: IP, 8-of-12 strikes, HOLD (2)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Jacob Amaya: 2-for-4, R, HR, RBI, BB, SB, 12.7% WPA<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Evan McKendry: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, K, HR, WIN (2-6), HB, 39-of-54 strikes, 12.4% WPA<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Tim Elko: 1-for-3, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, 3 hard hits, 12.2% WPA<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Corey Julks: 1-for-4, 2 R, BB, 4 hard hits<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Korey Lee: 2-for-5, RBI, SB, K, 0-for-1 CS<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Dru Baker: 1-for-3, BB, CS<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Jason Matthews: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB, 2 K<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Jared Shuster: IP, 8-of-12 strikes, HOLD (2)<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0 votes total<\/p>\n Vote Now<\/a><\/p>\n Poll 0%<\/p>\n Bryan Ramos: 0-for-5, K<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Fraser Ellard: 1 2\u20443 IP, 2 BB, K, 14-of-26 strikes, WP, HOLD (1)<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0 votes total<\/p>\n Vote Now<\/a><\/p>\n Birmingham Barons 7, Chattanooga Lookouts 0<\/a> Poll Tanner McDougal: 6 IP, 2 H, 6 K, WIN (2-1), 38.9% WPA<\/p>\n Drew Dalquist: IP, 2 K, HOLD (7), 8.5% WPA<\/p>\n Rikuu Nishida: 2-for-4, BB<\/p>\n Ryan Galanie: 2-for-4, R, 2 RBI, SF<\/p>\n Jacob Gonzalez: 2-for-5, R, 2B<\/p>\n Nick Podkul: 1-for-3, R, 2 RBI, BB<\/p>\n Caden Connor: 0-for-2, 2 BB, R<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Tanner McDougal: 6 IP, 2 H, 6 K, WIN (2-1), 38.9% WPA<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Drew Dalquist: IP, 2 K, HOLD (7), 8.5% WPA<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Rikuu Nishida: 2-for-4, BB<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Ryan Galanie: 2-for-4, R, 2 RBI, SF<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Jacob Gonzalez: 2-for-5, R, 2B<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Nick Podkul: 1-for-3, R, 2 RBI, BB<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Caden Connor: 0-for-2, 2 BB, R<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0 votes total<\/p>\n Vote Now<\/a><\/p>\n Poll 0%<\/p>\n Shawn Goosenberg: 0-for-3, K<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Mario Camilletti: 0-for-3, BB, R<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0 votes total<\/p>\n Vote Now<\/a><\/p>\n Hub City Spartanburgers 6, Winston-Salem Dash 1<\/a> Poll Alec Makarewicz: 1-for-3, BB, K, 6.9% WPA<\/p>\n Jackson Appel: 1-for-3, BB, 2 K, 1-for-1 CS, PB<\/p>\n Cole McConnell: 1-for-2, BB, K, HBP<\/p>\n Arxy Hernandez: 2-for-4, R<\/p>\n Luke Bell: 2 IP, H, BB, 2 K<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Alec Makarewicz: 1-for-3, BB, K, 6.9% WPA<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Jackson Appel: 1-for-3, BB, 2 K, 1-for-1 CS, PB<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Cole McConnell: 1-for-2, BB, K, HBP<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Arxy Hernandez: 2-for-4, R<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Luke Bell: 2 IP, H, BB, 2 K<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0 votes total<\/p>\n Vote Now<\/a><\/p>\n Poll Sam Antonacci: 0-for-5, K<\/p>\n Jeral Perez: 0-for-4, 2 K<\/p>\n Braden Montgomery: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K<\/p>\n Matt Hogan: 0-for-4, RBI, 3 K, E<\/p>\n Dylan Cumming: 3 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 K, LOSS (1-3)<\/p>\n Vince Vanelle: IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 2 K, 15-of-31 strikes<\/p>\n Jack Young: 2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, K, HR<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Sam Antonacci: 0-for-5, K<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Jeral Perez: 0-for-4, 2 K<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Braden Montgomery: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Matt Hogan: 0-for-4, RBI, 3 K, E<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Dylan Cumming: 3 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 K, LOSS (1-3)<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Vince Vanelle: IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 2 K, 15-of-31 strikes<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Jack Young: 2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, K, HR<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0 votes total<\/p>\n Vote Now<\/a><\/p>\n Hickory Crawdads 10, Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 5<\/a> Poll Caleb Bonemer: 3-for-5, R, 2 RBI, 2 2B<\/p>\n George Wolkow: 0-for-2, 2 BB, 2 K, SB<\/p>\n Ronny Hernandez: 2-for-5, R, RBI<\/p>\n Jorge Corona: 0-for-2, RBI, 2 K, 2 HBP, 0-for-1 CS, PB<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Caleb Bonemer: 3-for-5, R, 2 RBI, 2 2B<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n George Wolkow: 0-for-2, 2 BB, 2 K, SB<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Ronny Hernandez: 2-for-5, R, RBI<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Jorge Corona: 0-for-2, RBI, 2 K, 2 HBP, 0-for-1 CS, PB<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0 votes total<\/p>\n Vote Now<\/a><\/p>\n Poll Luis Reyes: 5 IP, 6 H, 7 R\/4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, HR, LOSS (4-6), E<\/p>\n T.J. McCants: 0-for-4, BB, 3 K<\/p>\n Ryan Burrowes: 0-for-4, R, BB, 2 K, GIDP, E<\/p>\n Nathan Archer: 0-for-3, R, BB, 2 K<\/p>\n Joseph Yabbour: 1 2\u20443 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K<\/p>\n Blake Shepardson: 1 1\u20443 IP, H, ER, 3 K, 2 HB, WP<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Luis Reyes: 5 IP, 6 H, 7 R\/4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, HR, LOSS (4-6), E<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n T.J. McCants: 0-for-4, BB, 3 K<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Ryan Burrowes: 0-for-4, R, BB, 2 K, GIDP, E<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Nathan Archer: 0-for-3, R, BB, 2 K<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Joseph Yabbour: 1 2\u20443 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Blake Shepardson: 1 1\u20443 IP, H, ER, 3 K, 2 HB, WP<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0 votes total<\/p>\n Vote Now<\/a><\/p>\n ACL White Sox 11, ACL Dodgers 7<\/a> What did the Sox do? Almost immediately after getting knotted, in the sixth inning, Chicago\u2019s youngest put up ANOTHER five-spot. That\u2019s BUFF. The club followed some of their usual tactics in clawing back into first: Running wild on the bases, just enough by way of heavy clouts, and relief pitching to the rescue. The polls will provide the individual accolades, but beyond a give-back start from Fabian Ysalla (5 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 3 K) it was a full-roster team effort.<\/p>\n Oh, wait, in a hi-larious postscript, Complex Sox skipper Danny Gonzalez was ejected from the game before the second inning, likely a result of protesting Leandro Alsinois being called out on strikes to end the five-run first.<\/p>\n Poll Reudis Diaz: 1 2\u20443 IP, 2 H, 2 K, HOLD (4)<\/p>\n Drake Logan: 3-for-5, 2 R, 2B, 3B, K<\/p>\n D\u2019Angelo Tejada: 2-for-5, 2 R, 2B, RBI, 2 K, CS<\/p>\n Grant Smith: 3-for-5, R, 2 RBI, K<\/p>\n Angelo Hernandez: 0-for-2, 3 BB, R, K, 0-for-3 CS<\/p>\n Jurdrick Profar: 1-for-3, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, BB, SB, E<\/p>\n Leandro Alsinois: 1-for-3, BB, 2 K, SB<\/p>\n Marcello Valladares: IP, BB, K, WIN (1-0), E<\/p>\n Gray Thomas: IP, H, K<\/p>\n Danny Gonzalez: Willing to get kicked out of a game for defending his team, even if up, 5-1, in the first inning.<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Reudis Diaz: 1 2\u20443 IP, 2 H, 2 K, HOLD (4)<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Drake Logan: 3-for-5, 2 R, 2B, 3B, K<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n D\u2019Angelo Tejada: 2-for-5, 2 R, 2B, RBI, 2 K, CS<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Grant Smith: 3-for-5, R, 2 RBI, K<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Angelo Hernandez: 0-for-2, 3 BB, R, K, 0-for-3 CS<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Jurdrick Profar: 1-for-3, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, BB, SB, E<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Leandro Alsinois: 1-for-3, BB, 2 K, SB<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Marcello Valladares: IP, BB, K, WIN (1-0), E<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Gray Thomas: IP, H, K<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n Danny Gonzalez: Willing to get kicked out of a game for defending his team, even if up, 5-1, in the first inning.<\/p>\n (0 votes)<\/p>\n 0 votes total<\/p>\n
Nearly every hitter who stars with Charlotte is a familiar face, given two-thirds of the lineup has seen time in Chicago this year. So yeah, Tim Elko, Korey Lee and even Jacob Amaya have all taken star turns with the big club already this season. <\/p>\n
\n Let\u2019s pick an MVP in another nice Knights win!<\/p>\n
\n Who earned a Cold Cat despite Charlotte\u2019s return to .500?<\/p>\n
It was touch-and-go for a sec, as the Birmingham offense wasn\u2019t doing too much in support of Tanner McDougal (six scoreless innings), but the ascendant starter star departed with a 2-1 lead and a five-spot from the visiting Barons iced the righty\u2019s sixth win of the year. Just one extra-base hit in this one, and not an RBI XBH at that, so there was some clever station-to-station play and timely sac hits from the bats. The Barons improved to 43-37.<\/p>\n
\n Who was the MVP of Birmingham\u2019s shutout?<\/p>\n
\n Who was the Bham Cold Cat?<\/p>\n
The Dash (29-50) were lucky this one was played in \u201cHub City,\u201d a location you\u2019ll find on no map, because this effort was one for invisible ink. By that I mean it had all the markings of a traditional and customary Winston-Salem loss: meh pitching, offense so bad at executing it should be executed, shoddy defense, and the token run scored in the ninth to spoil a shutout and further ignominy. Next game, please.<\/p>\n
\n Look hard, there\u2019s a Winston-Salem MVP somewhere.<\/p>\n
\n Grab a Cold Cat for the Dash, but remember you can only grab one.<\/p>\n
This type of weirdness you don\u2019t usually see: a doubleheader within one, nine-inning game. The opener went 5 \u00bd innings and ended in a scoreless tie. The nightcap? Oof: Dads 10, Ballers 5. Or, put another way, if Hickory had only been allowed to bat in the sixth inning tonight, the two teams would have played into extras, at 5-5. Kannapolis (36-44) is seeing its godawful June stretch into July, and the likelihood of seeing any playoff action among the affiliates \u2014 much less the two-pack we got in 2024 with Kanny and Birmingham \u2014 is remote.<\/p>\n
\n Who wins the MVP for Kannapolis?<\/p>\n
\n Who was the Kanny Cold Cat?<\/p>\n
With a loss on Friday, the Complex Sox (26-21) tumbled back out of first place, and it\u2019s clear that the quick morning-game turnaround on Saturday was their mark in the sand: WE WILL NOT FALL FROM FIRST. To that end, the Complexers put a five-spot up in their first bats and never trailed in the game. However, the Dodgers<\/a> (26-22) are a formidable opponent, and fought back by midgame to tie the contest up, 5-5. <\/p>\n
\n OK dude, nice vague writeup, let\u2019s make with the hero-MVP possibilities in Saturday\u2019s big win.<\/p>\n