scenario

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 10, 2009 -> 08:25 PM) This is where Getz should be stealing. Absolutely

Attaboy PK.

QUOTE (southsideirish71 @ Apr 10, 2009 -> 07:38 PM) How long has Joe Crede been a member of the whitesox, and we decide to groove him a fastball. Now sliders away, no breaking pitches, not even a forkball, a fastball. Unbelievable. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I'm not much for conspiracy theory, but I swear that had to be a gift to an old friend. AJ knows what Crede can and can't hit. And he called a perfect pitch for Crede to drive.

Bailed himself out with a strikeout after walking the bases loaded. Now he has himself a nice game going. 5-0 Dash in the 5th. Danks and Logan Johnson with homeruns.

QUOTE (tommy @ Apr 10, 2009 -> 07:27 PM) Making him throw some pitches so far. The problem is that knuckleballers don't throw hard enough to wear themselves out on a normal pitch count. He could probably toss that garbage up there all night.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Apr 10, 2009 -> 07:24 PM) They're not actually going to show a video tribute when he comes to the plate are they? I just assumed they'd get that s*** out of the way before the game. Hmmm... I don't know. I wasn't paying close enough attention to the pre-game to notice.

Works out perfectly with Crede leading off the next inning. That way they can take their time with the tribute and fan applause without making Contreras sit too long between hitters.

I hope Jose starts dialing in the strike zone here. Otherwise he's going to run up alot of pitches early.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 10, 2009 -> 04:51 PM) make sure to check out the Biltmore Estate while you're there, too. Just took a quick look at the history... I didn't realize that the Biltmore estate is the largest home in the US. Interesting.

Looks like Kanny is rained out and will play a double-header Saturday.

Gwinnett @ Charlotte Reyes vs Whisler 7:15p EDT Chattanooga @ Birmingham Elbert vs. McCulloch 7:05 CDT Winston-Salem @ Kinston Carter vs. Gomez 7:05 EDT Ashville @ Kannapolis Frazier vs. Leesman 7:05 EDT Radio feeds • Charlotte Knights (AAA): Listen • Birmingham Barons (AA): Listen • Winston-Salem Dash (A Adv.): Listen • Kannapolis Intimidators (A): Listen

Infante nearly infallible in SAL opener... from mlb.com Right-hander Infante fans 11 over six hitless innings Gregory Infante had mixed results during his first taste of South Atlantic League action in 2008. He didn't appear the least bit fazed by Class A hitters this time around. The Venezuelan right-hander gave the Opening Night crowd at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium a performance to remember Thursday, striking out a career-high 11 over six no-hit frames as the Kannapolis Intimidators pulled out a 1-0, 11-inning victory over the Hickory Crawdads. Infante, who was signed by the White Sox as a non-drafted free agent in 2006, went 1-2 with a 6.59 ERA in four appearances, including three starts, for the Intimidators last year. He was sent to Rookie-level Bristol of the Appalachian League, where he flourished for the remainder of the season, going 4-3 with a career-best 2.66 ERA in 13 outings. Infante carried that momentum into Spring Training and hopes to enjoy a much more successful second stint in Kannapolis. "I feel more comfortable with my delivery and direction, which allows me to command the ball a lot better than last year," said Infante, who walked 12 and struck out 11 over 13 2/3 innings with the Intimidators last season. "This particular outing, Opening Day, you just want to get through it healthy and pitch well." The 6-foot-2, 185-pound hurler's second shot at Class A began with a brilliant effort that saw him face the minimum 18 batters, despite a pair of walks. Infante set the stage for his big night by striking out the side in the opening frame, kicking off a stretch of 13 batters he retired in order. "We'd seen it before. His last outing in Spring Training was a lot like he pitched tonight," said Kannapolis pitching coach Larry Owens. "I think he's just more comfortable being in the United States. He's more comfortable with his surroundings. He's a lot more comfortable with the lifestyle. It makes [pitching] a lot easier." Though Infante walked Joseph Massey with one out in the fifth, catcher John Curtis picked him up by gunning Massey down as he tried to swipe second base. Infante struck out David Christensen to end the frame, but issued a leadoff walk to Ryan Peisel in the sixth. After fanning Beau Seabury, Infante got Carlos Martinez to ground into an inning-ending double play, capping by far the best performance of his four-year professional career. The 21-year-old didn't mind being lifted at that point. And even if he had, the Intimidators weren't about to let him go further than they had intended when the night began. "He was done," Owens said. "We based it on where he was coming out of Spring Training. He's not going to be pitching in Chicago his next start. We, as an organization, know what he's capable of." Unfortunately for Infante, Asheville starter Robinson Fabian was just as stingy, if not as dazzling, as he yielded five hits and a walk with four strikeouts while tossing six scoreless frames. Thanks to a combined four innings of two-hit relief by Nathan Jones, Charlis Burdie and Dan Remenowsky (1-0), Kannapolis was able to walk off with the win after Tyler Kuhn's two-out RBI single in the bottom of the 10th off Tyler Trice (0-1). Massey ended the Intimidators' no-hit bid when he led off the eighth with a single to left field off Burdie. "[infante] remaining healthy is a lot more important than a no-hitter right now," Owens said.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Apr 9, 2009 -> 11:04 PM) Could we be a few cold weeks away from seeing him? I doubt we'll see him this year unless: - he continues to tear it up for at least 1/2 a season - and/or injuries at the major league level create a need

4-6 with an RBI and 3 runs scored. The RBI came in the bottom of the 11th to win the game. Nice debut, eh?

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 9, 2009 -> 10:37 PM) Winner, winner. Chicken Dinner!! 4 hits, baby!! And he drives in Retherford. Perfect way to finish it out. Can't wait to hear JPN's comments when he gets back from the game!!

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 9, 2009 -> 10:25 PM) I think Beckham should be the one to end this game... Here's your shot. Runners on 1st and 2nd... two outs... Beckham up.

Leadoff walk by Gartrell puts the winning run on 1st with none out. Then a balk moves Gartell to 2nd.

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 9, 2009 -> 10:25 PM) I think Beckham should be the one to end this game... I'm not picky. Just win babyyyyy!!!!

Yes!!!!! Great job by Derek Rodriguez. K on 4 pitches to end the threat.

DRod brought in with the bases loaded and 2 outs to get us out of this.

And the new Barons reliever... a 30 year old journeyman... looks like he's going to blow our comeback.

QUOTE (southsideirish71 @ Apr 9, 2009 -> 09:50 PM) CJ just hit a solo jack to tie the game with 2 outs I swear he is like the minor league version of Crede for late game heroics.

God... I love Retherford. Such a clutch young player. Bottom of the 9th... two outs... down 4-3... You make the call.

And so what happens? Kuhn gets moved to LF. That's the thing about minor league baseball... always surprises.

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 9, 2009 -> 09:21 PM) Kanny: Won 1-0 in 10 innings. Tyler Kuhn with the RBI. Pitchers held Asheville to 2 hits. And Kannapolis pitchers struck out 14 and walked 2. Pretty impressive.