Charlotte Knights 9, Gwinnett Stripers 3
The Knights inched closer to the playoffs with a strong win over the Stripers. Home runs fueled a team hungry to prove that having a bunch of 4A guys on the squad won’t go to waste. Caden Connor’s three-run blast in the fifth made a statement, and essentially put the game out of reach:
Later, Joey Wiemer added the final two runs with a deep ball of his own, further raining on Gwinnett’s parade:
While a few other guys filled in the other four runs — including
Edgar Quero, who was eager to make a point to Chris Getz for promoting Kyle Teel over him in latest roster move — the pitching deserves the spotlight, too.
Though he wasn’t perfect, David Sandlin looked almost robotic in generating outs. He racked up 11 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings while allowing just two runs and a walk. It’s a shame Charlotte didn’t post a compilation of all 11 strikeouts on social media, because tying a career-high record like that warrants re-watches. After Sandlin, it wasn’t hard for the bullpen to put a bow on the game, granted he did all the work to wear the Stripers down.
Postseason watch: The Knights are only four games back of first, and there’s still plenty of ball to be played.
MVP
David Sandlin: 5 2/3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, BB, 11 K, HR
Runners-Up
Caden Connor: 2-for-5, 2 R, 4 RBI, K, HR
Joey Wiemer: 2-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, K, HR
Ryan Galanie: 2-for-5, RBI
Jeral Perez: 1-for-4, 3 R, RBI, BB, SB
Cold Cat
Rikuu Nishida: 0-for-4, BB
Runners-Up
Nick Altermatt: 1 IP, H, R, 2 BB, 0 K
Michael Turner: 2-for-5, R, 2 K
Birmingham Barons vs Biloxi Shuckers (Postponed due to rain)
Rain once again stymies Birmingham’s chance to overtake Rocket City for the division’s second playoff spot. They’ll play a doubleheader against Biloxi on September 5.
Winston-Salem Dash 8, Rome Emperors 2
This win clinched Winston-Salem’s first postseason since 2018!
Please click over to our breakout story on site.
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 5, Delmarva Shorebirds 4
Despite being knocked out of the playoffs, the CBs are treating their final week as if they’re competing for the No. 1 seed. Jake Berkland deserves a lot of credit for Kanny’s win after delivering an RBI single and an RBI fielder’s choice, and capitalizing on Adrian Heredia’s pickoff attempt to score one of his two runs. The rest of the lineup struggled to support Berkland’s heroic efforts, tallying 13 strikeouts and leaving an eye-watering 13 on base. That weak offense almost came back to take a bite outta Kanny.
Up 5-1 heading into the ninth, Grant Cleavinger just had to get three outs. Simple, right? Think again. Although he loaded the bases immediately, Cleavinger got two outs before things started falling apart. Miguel Rodríguez walked and Jemone Nuel singled to put the Shorebirds one run away from tying the contest.
But that’s where the bleeding ended. Cleavinger was yanked, Daniel Wright took over, and the CBs put the game to bed.
MVP
Jake Berkland: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB
Runners-Up
Alexander Albertus: 2-for-4, R, K
Efran Teran: 3-for-4
Stiven Flores: 2-for-5, RBI
Fabian Ysalla: 4 2/3 IP, 5 H, R, 2 BB, 4 K
Cold Cat
Grant Cleavinger: 2/3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, BB, K
Runners-Up
Matthew Boughton: 0-for-5, 4 K
Crew McChesney: 1-for-4, 2 K
