The Birmingham Barons opened the year shorthanded with Colson Montgomery and Bryan Ramos both starting the year on the IL, and the series with the Rocket City Trash Pandas exacerbated some issues.
They dropped to 2-7 after losing five of six, and were outscored by the Trash Pandas 51-16 over the course of the week. Garrett Schoenle and Matthew Thompson were knocked out of the first inning in consecutive starts, and to cap off the week, Cristian Mena's Sunday outing was cut short after three decent innings because the last batter he faced hit him in the lower leg with a comebacker. He walked off the field with a slight hitch, so hopefully the Barons decided he didn't need to start a fourth inning after 61 pitches and some discomfort.
The good news? Even with the Barons stumbling out of the gate, the White Sox's farm system remains over .600, with Charlotte (8-7), Winston-Salem (5-2) and Kannapolis (5-3) all opening with winning records thus far.
Charlotte 9, Jacksonville 8
- Cohoes' Zach Remillard had a big day: 3-for-3 with a homer, double, two walks and a stolen base.
- Carlos Pérez did not, going 0-for-5 with a strikeout.
- Jonathan Stiever is still with the team after his DFA: 2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 HR
Notes:
*Stiever sat 89-90 mph with his fastball, according to Jeff Cohen.
*Jeff also asked Jesse Scholtens about his first cup of coffee.
Rocket City 6, Birmingham 4
- José Rodríguez went 1-for-5 with two strikeouts.
- Yoelqui Céspedes went 0-for-4 with an HBP and two strikeouts.
- Luis Mieses, 1-for-4.
- Adam Hackenberg was 2-for-3 with a walk.
- Cristian Mena: 3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 1 WP, 39 of 61 pitches for strikes.
Winston-Salem 10, Brooklyn 4
- Terrell Tatum went 2-for-3 with a triple and a walk, and was caught stealing.
- Alsander Womack went big or went home, homering twice, striking out thrice and driving in five.
- DJ Gladney went 1-for-5 with a K.
- Wilfred Veras, 1-for-4 with a strikeout.
- Wes Kath homered, singled and struck out twice.
- Tommy Sommer: 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 1 HR
Kannapolis 5, Delmarva 4
- Jordan Sprinkle went 1-for-4 with a double, an HBP, two strikeouts and two stolen bases.
- Peyton Pallette: 3.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 2 HR
