Nashville Sounds 11, Charlotte Knights 9
Everything that went wrong with the Knights’ loss to the Sounds can be traced back to Jacob Gonzalez’s exit in the third inning. Despite firing an RBI double off in the first to help give Charlotte a 2-1 boost early, he was pulled during the game, as the Sounds were stitching together a seven-run third inning. While his brief stint in the majors was underwhelming, to say the least, the idea that Gonzalez has been traded definitely makes the No. 1 overall draft pick murkier than it’s ever been.
After Gonzalez departed Shane Murphy, who hasn’t been able to find a foothold all season, gave up a grand slam to put Nashville back in the driver’s seat for the remainder of the game. Murphy couldn’t finish the third, and did more than enough damage by yielding four home runs before he was yanked. His ERA now sits at 5.99 and his WHIP at 1.44. What a wild and unfortunate turn for a guy who maintained a sub-2.00 ERA and held batters below the Mendoza Line just a season ago.
Although Ryan Galanie’s two-run bomb and Riley Unroe, Korey Lee, and Mario Camilletti’s multiple RBIs helped make up some ground, it wasn’t enough. Charlotte spoiled their own chances to beat Nashville, stranding nine on base and hitting 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position.
Birmingham Barons 10, Columbus Clingstones 1
Birmingham’s stars shone bright against Columbus in a victory that seemed all-too-easy. Favorites Colby Shelton and Boston Smith put five on the board with home runs in the fifth to stake their claim for game MVP. And Anthony DePino supplied his own solo shot in the seventh to push the Clingstones deeper in the hole. A few other RBIs filled in the cracks, but they were overshadowed by Bham’s own mini home run derby.
Jake Palisch rebounded from his stretch of subpar starts, looking like his 2025 self. Although control was an issue, he navigated nearly six innings while holding Columbus to a run off four hits and four walks. For the Barons, it was the best of both worlds: Palisch got the security and support needed to go back to autopilot, and his strong start will hopefully fuel his confidence and fuel better starts this season.
Winston-Salem Dash 7, Asheville Tourists 3
What seemed like a slog of a game rapidly turned into a thrilling, comeback win, as the Dash waited for eight innings to unload a fury of runs on the Tourists.
Five hits and a walk earlier in the game failed to yield any runs, but Ryan Burrowes and Jeral Perez’s leadoff walks in the ninth changed everything. An errant throw by Asheville’s Jackson Wells advanced both, putting them in scoring position with no outs. George Wolkow’s strikeout and hitting coach Adam Sinkoe’s surprising ejection slowed the momentum, but Winston-Salem resumed their comeback with another walk drawn from Kaleb Freeman. Five straight hits, including two for extra bases, and a bases-loaded double play plated seven before Asheville could realize what happened. By then, the damage was done.
For not getting any run support, Grant Umberger managed to make do. Although he was on the bump when Asheville scored all their runs, he managed to stretch his outing to 5 2/3 innings and walk off with four strikeouts. Winston-Salem continues to puzzle Umberger, but at least the 24-year-old can say he’s on a winning team.
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 6, Delmarva Shorebirds 3 (7 innings)
Kanny took the first game of their doubleheader against Delmarva thanks to Jaden Fauske and Alexander Albertus’ heavy hands (and bats). A four-run first, led by Fauske’s walk, powered the CBs through most of the game. Fauske must have been inspired by rumors that the White Sox would be trying to trade for former high school teammate Landon Thome, since Fauske made a point of standing out: He ended the night with a hit, two runs, two walks, and a stolen base. Albertus himself had a perfect evening, going 3-for-3 with two runs, two RBIs, a walk and a home run.
Stiven Flores also rose to the occasion, scoring one run and knocking off two hits. The bats played the heaviest role in Kanny’s win, while the arms rested up enough for the second game in the doubleheader.
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 2, Delmarva Shorebirds 1(7 innings)
The Ballers secured the first winning doubleheader of the season. Gabe Tanner held the Shorebirds scoreless through five frames, allowing just three hits and a walk. Marco Barrios and Choyce Differy worked together to escape a rocky sixth inning, as having the bases loaded with one out could’ve been devastating. Jesus Mendez didn’t get as lucky when he served Delmarva high hopes for a walk-off win by handing a solo home run to Junior Aybar on a silver platter, but at least he closed out the inning to earn the save.
Rookie Leagues
DSL Rangers Blue 11, DSL White Sox 9
Errors were costly for the DSL Sox. Tied at three apiece, Dionys Medina’s throwing error with one out and a runner in scoring position in the top of the fifth turned what should’ve been a scoreless inning into a 6-3 Rangers lead. A second error committed by Sebastian Romero allowed the top of the seventh to stretch out and the Rangers plenty of time to tack three additional runs on. It’s a shame, because aside from those fumbles the Sox managed to hang in the game, recording 11 hits and batting 5-for-11 with runners in scoring position. That’s probably why the DSLers are 10-18.