White Sox Minor Keys: April 12, 2022

For three innings tonight, Knights’ starter John Parke was perfect, with five groundouts and four strikeouts.  But the second time through the lineup was brutal, and when it was over, the Memphis Redbirds touched the lanky lefty for six runs.  Memphis would go on to a 9-2 win in the Charlotte home opener.

In a post-game chat, Parke said he intended to stay with the same approach that worked so well for the first three innings, rather than make any big adjustments as the Redbirds got their second shot at him.

“They weren’t taking great swings in the first three innings and I kind of went away from that, which was just my mistake,” he explained.  “I was trying to get too cute, I was trying to paint more corners, and not doing what I do best.  For example, the lead-off guy in the fourth inning, I got to a 2-2 count and instead of going to my strong suit and trying to get a ground ball, I went for the punchout and I think I just got cocky.”

After a down 2021 from Dallas Keuchel, White Sox fans may be a bit skittish about sinker-heavy lefties.  And, to be sure, there is less margin for error with pitchers like these.  But I think Parke could still have something to contribute in Chicago if he can find a bit more consistency.

Parke will get a second shot on Sunday at this tough Redbirds lineup, which has one of the more potent lineups in Triple-A.  

The Offense

Seby Zavala got the offense started with a 418-foot solo blast in the second, followed three batters later by a Mark Payton RBI double.  Unfortunately, those were the only extra-base hits, to go along with seven singles and one walk.

It didn’t make a difference tonight, but the addition of Micker Adolfo should add some middle-of-the-order thump to the lineup.  Adolfo cleared waivers, was re-signed by the White Sox, assigned to Charlotte and in the lineup tonight.

The Pitching

After the Redbirds put together six runs on six hits and a walk against Parke in the fourth, Kyle Kubat came out of the Knights’ pen to post three shutout innings, with five strikeouts.  Andrew Perez gave up the final three Memphis runs in the ninth.

Johnny Cueto Whereabouts

Helms said Cueto remains in Arizona and there is no plan yet for the veteran hurler to take the mound in Charlotte.

Other Roster Moves

Jimmy Lambert and Anderson Severino were recalled, filling in for Lucas Giolito and AJ Pollock.  They join Jake Burger and Matt Foster as Knights’ call-ups so far this year.

The White Sox/Knights also released outfielder Patrick Kivlehan, presumably to make room for Adolfo.

Helms Assesses His Team

I asked Wes Helms what he learned about his team after a week on the road. (The Knights were 3-3 in Norfolk last week.)

“I love the make-up of our lineup,” Helms said.  “Now we’ve added Adolfo.  We’re going to score runs.  They grind at bats, which I really love.  Baserunning was exceptional.  We were really aggressive on the bases, taking the extra base, tagging up from second to third, even on fly balls to left, which we didn’t do last year.  

“Defensively,” he said, “we were really good in the outfield.  We had an error or two in the infield but that’s to be expected early, with our not getting a lot of work in the field early.

“Pitchingwise, I was pleased.  We had a few times here and there when bullpen guys struggled with throwing strikes, but (pitching coach) Matt Zaleski is on it right now.  Those guys just need to get a few appearances under their belt, and understand that if we locate, we win.

“I’m very pleased with the way we played in Norfolk. We could be 5-1 very easily.”

Minor Keys

Memphis 9, Charlotte 2

• Adam Haseley went 2-for-4 with a strikeout.
• Romy Gonzalez was 1-for-4 with a K.
• Carlos Pérez finally went hitless, going 0-for-4.
• Micker Adolfo went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts in his first game back.
• John Parke: 4 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 HR

Chattanooga 16, Birmingham 4

• Jose Rodriguez went 1-for-5 with a double.
• Yolbert Sánchez was 2-for-4 with a double, walk and strikeout.
• Yoelqui Céspedes doubled and struck out four times.
• Lenyn Sosa went 0-for-4 with a K.

Winston-Salem 4, Greensboro 3

• Oscar Colás went 1-for-3 with a double, walk and strikeout.
• Bryan Ramos was 2-for-4 with a strikeout.
• Luis Mieses, 0-for-4 with two K's.
• Adam Hackenberg was 1-for-4.
• Harvin Mendoza, 1-for-2 with a walk and an HBP.
• Andrew Dalquist: 4 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 2 HR
• Zach Cable: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K

Highlights:

*Ramos' hot start continues with the go-ahead hit:

*Here's Colás' double:

Kannapolis 7, Down East 2

• Colson Montgomery doubled, singled, walked, hit a sac fly and struck out.
• DJ Gladney went 1-for-5 with two strikeouts.
• Wilfred Veras was 0-for-2 with a sac fly and an HBP.
• Wes Kath was 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
• James Beard went 1-for-3 with a walk, strikeout and two steals, including one of home.
• Kohl Simas: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 13 K