The Charlotte Knights took a big step toward the playoffs on September 4, and they did it with the kind of power surge that makes a September box score pop. Charlotte beat Gwinnett 9-3, trimming the gap to first place to four games with plenty of baseball still left to play.
Caden Connor delivered the swing that cracked the game open, launching a three-run homer in the fifth to make a loud statement and push the Knights well out in front. Edgar Quero also chipped in as Charlotte piled on four more runs beyond Connor’s blast.
The other headline belonged to David Sandlin, who turned in the kind of outing that can carry a team through a pennant race. He wasn’t spotless, but he was brutally efficient at missing bats, striking out 11 over 5 2/3 innings while allowing two runs, four hits and a walk. Sandlin also gave up a homer, yet the overall damage stayed manageable, and the bullpen had little trouble finishing the job after he did the heavy lifting.
In Birmingham, there was no game at all. Rain washed out the Barons’ matchup with Biloxi, pushing the club’s bid to catch Rocket City for the division’s second playoff spot to another day. The teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader on September 5.
Kannapolis found a way to squeeze out a 5-4 win over Delmarva, even though the offense spent most of the night making life harder than it needed to be. Jake Berkland was the difference, driving in a run with a single and another with a fielder’s choice while also taking advantage of Adrian Heredia’s pickoff attempt to score one of his two runs.
The rest of the lineup didn’t exactly make it easy. The Cannon Ballers struck out 13 times and left 13 runners on base, which kept Delmarva hanging around far longer than it should have. Still, Kannapolis carried a 5-1 lead into the ninth and only needed three outs to close it out.
That turned into a mess fast. Grant Cleavinger loaded the bases right away, then got two outs before the Shorebirds clawed within one on a Miguel Rodríguez walk and a Jemone Nuel single. At that point, Cleavinger was pulled, Daniel Wright came in, and Kannapolis finally shut the door.
Jake Berkland finished as the MVP, going 2-for-3 with two runs, two RBIs and a walk. Cleavinger earned the Cold Cat nod after a shaky 2/3 of an inning, and Matthew Boughton and Crew McChesney were also tagged as runners-up after rough nights at the plate.
In Other News...
Luis Robert Jrs Latest Move Says Plenty About The White Sox
Luis Robert Jr.s latest transaction says plenty about where his market stands and how the White Sox will be watching the ripple effects from afar. After being claimed by the Orioles off waivers from the Mets, the former White Sox outfielder is moving again, and Baltimore will take on part of what remains on his deal as well as the 2027 option or buyout attached to it.
For Chicago, it is another reminder of how quickly a players path can shift once he is no longer part of the organization. Roberts name still carries real recognition because of what he meant to the White Sox, but the fact that the Mets declined the 2027 option before this latest move underscores how complicated his value has become. The Orioles are stepping into the middle of that picture now, while the White Sox can only watch how the next chapter unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
White Sox Catcher Decision Raises New Questions As Kyle Teel Returns
Kyle Teel is back on the White Sox roster after a stint on the 10-day injured list, and his return quickly clarified the clubs current catching picture. Chicago optioned Drew Romo to Triple-A to make room, and Teel is expected to handle the starting job moving forward while Jake Rogers slides into the backup role.
Romo will stay on the taxi squad, which keeps him close in case the White Sox need to pivot again. For a position group that has already required some shuffling, the setup gives Chicago a more defined look for now, even if the club has left itself an easy path back to Romo if circumstances change. [Read more 🡒]
White Sox Just Sent A Clear Message About Tyler Gilbert
The White Sox made a roster move with Tyler Gilbert that underscored how quickly pitching depth can shift over the course of a season. Chicago designated the left-hander for assignment and, after he cleared waivers, outrighted him to Triple-A Charlotte, keeping him in the organization rather than on the major league staff. Gilbert has the right to refuse the assignment, but he opted to stay put, giving the White Sox a bit of continuity with a pitcher who was a useful reliever for them in 2025.
For Gilbert, the trip back to Charlotte reflects a difficult 2026 campaign and the reality of a bullpen that can turn over in a hurry. The White Sox are not closing the door on him completely, but the move makes their current stance clear: they want him in the system, just not on the active major league roster right now. What comes next will depend on whether he can steady things and work his way back into the picture. [Read more 🡒]