Erik Johnson Named IL Starting Pitcher at Triple-A All-Star Game
Published on July 8, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - Charlotte Knights RHP Erik Johnson, who currently leads the International League in strikeouts with 96, has been selected to start the 2015 Triple-A All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 15 in Omaha, Nebraska for the International League squad. Johnson becomes just the fourth Knights pitcher in franchise history to get the starting nod at the Triple-A All-Star Game. Right-handed pitchers Julian Tavarez (1994), Charlie Haeger (2006), and Carlos Torres (2010), are the other Knights hurlers to start a Triple-A All-Star Game.
In 15 games (14 starts) this season, Johnson is 7-5 with a 2.86 ERA with the Knights. Johnson's 2.86 ERA is eighth in the IL this season and he is averaging 10.21 strikeouts per nine innings, which is tops in the IL in 2015. Over his last 32.0 innings pitched, the 25-year-old has allowed just two runs (one earned). He was named as the International League's Pitcher of the Week for the period of June 15-21 after going 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two starts that week (14.0 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 20 SO).
Last week, Johnson, along with outfielder Trayce Thompson, third baseman Matt Davidson, and left-handed reliever Zach Phillips, were named to the International League All-Star Team. The Knights are one of just two IL teams with four representatives at this year's Triple-A All-Star Game (Norfolk is the other). Davidson will participate in the 2015 Triple-A All-Star Game Home Run Derby.
Selected in the second round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft by the White Sox out of the University of California, Berkeley, Johnson owns a 30-20 record with a 3.46 ERA in 78 games (75 starts) over his minor league career (five seasons). He entered the 2014 season ranked by Baseball America as the second-best prospect in Chicago's system.
The Knights will pay tribute to the 30th anniversary of the iconic movie "Back to the Future" tonight, courtesy of Discovery Place, and fans will have a chance to have a photo taken with the DeLorean Time Machine. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and characters from the movie will be on hand to meet and greet fans. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday. Single-game tickets for all games this season are available by phone at 704-274-8282, in person at the BB&T Ballpark Ticket Office, or online at charlotteknights.com.
International League Stories from July 8, 2015
- PawSox See Seven-Run Lead Evaporate, Lose in 11 - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Bisons Lose 6-5 on Walk-Off - Buffalo Bisons
- Knights Fall to Bulls 5-2 on Wednesday at BB&T Ballpark - Charlotte Knights
- Stephenson Earns Second Win against Indians - Louisville Bats
- RailRiders Fall to Chiefs in Extras - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Three-Run 12th Leads Chiefs Past RailRiders - Syracuse Mets
- 9th Inning Rally Wins It for Wings - Rochester Red Wings
- Mud Hens Lose Late Inning Thriller to Clippers - Toledo Mud Hens
- Bats Hold off Indians for 3-2 Victory - Indianapolis Indians
- Run Jimmy Run 5K Race on July 12 - Buffalo Bisons
- Gwinnett Squanders Early Lead in 3-2 Defeat - Gwinnett Stripers
- SWB Game Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Score Great Deals at the Sidewalk Sale July 9-12 - Toledo Mud Hens
- Bisons Notes - Buffalo at Rochester (7:05 p.m.) - Buffalo Bisons
- LHV Game Notes - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Erik Johnson Named IL Starting Pitcher at Triple-A All-Star Game - Charlotte Knights
- Gwinnett RHP Carlos Fisher Added to International League All-Star Team - Gwinnett Stripers
- Durham Bulls Game Notes - Durham Bulls
- Orioles Recall INF Christian Walker from Triple-A Norfolk - Norfolk Tides
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
