Last Friday, Michael Kopech had the chance to make a statement on the same day as a Carson Fulmer dud, only to fall apart in the fourth inning for a second consecutive walk-marred start.
Tonight, Kopech took advantage of a second chance by throwing seven shutout innings. The Knights needed all of it, as they beat Columbus by a mere 1-0 margin.
Kopech pounded the strike zone with a straightforward approach, and it worked. He limited the Clippers to just a double, single and two walks over seven innings while striking out nine, and he threw 72 of 102 pitches for strikes. It's the kind of start that shows that he's the most talented pitcher the Sox have at any level, and at this very moment, and the question is how long the Sox can keep pretending he isn't.
I wouldn't count on Kopech being the one to take the rotation spot of the recently optioned Carson Fulmer, but unlike last week, it's theoretically in play.
Charlotte 1, Columbus 0
- Jose Rondon went 1-for-4 with a stolen base.
- Charlie Tilson was 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
- Casey Gillaspie, 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout.
- Michael Kopech: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K.
More:
*Tilson preserved the shutout with a diving catch.
Montgomery 8, Birmingham 0
- Tito Polo returned from the DL and went 1-for-3 with a double, walk and stolen base.
- Zack Collins was 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
- Eloy Jimenez, 0-for-4.
- Seby Zavala was 1-for-4 with a strikeout.
- Matt Rose went 1-for-3.
- Danny Mendick was 0-for-3
- Dane Dunning lasted four after giving up four in the first: 4 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 1 HBP
Winston-Salem 6, Down East 0
- Joel Booker went 1-for-3 with a homer, two walks and a stolen base.
- Luis Alexander Basabe busted out: 3-for-5 with a homer and a double.
- Blake Rutherford went 1-for-3 with two walks, a strikeout and a stolen base.
- Micker Adolfo went 1-for-2 with two walks and a sac fly.
- Gavin Sheets was 1-for-5 with three strikeouts.
- Yeyson Yrizarri was 1-for-5 with a strikeout.
- Ti'Quan Forbes, 1-for-4.
- Dylan Cease bounced back: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K, 51 of 82 pitches for strikes.
