Gaines’ promotion to Winston-Salem among roster moves

By Bill Kiser Kannapolis Citizen <b>The Intimidators notebook ...</b> Outfielder Ronnie Gaines became the latest Kannapolis Intimidators player to move up the Chicago White <!--more-->Sox's minor league system, getting promoted to Winston-Salem of the Advanced-A level Carolina League. Gaines was one of five players involved in roster moves with the Intimidators last week. Pitcher Nathan Jones rejoined the team after getting sent down to Bristol (Tenn.) a week earlier, outfielder Justin Greene and infielder Jorge Castillo both earned promotions from the rookie-level Appalachian League team, and outfielder Nich Mahin was put on the disabled list. Gaines, who was called up to the Warthogs on Sunday, hit .250 in 19 games with the Intimidators after joining the club from the White Sox's extended spring training program in early May. However, Gaines has struggled with injuries this season — he went on the disabled list a week after joining the team, and did not come off it until July 22. Jones, who opened the 2008 season with the Intimidators, also struggled with injuries. He went 1-7 with a 7.64 ERA in 13 appearances (including 10 starts) before going on the DL on June 23. He came off the disabled list a month later, and was promptly sent down to Bristol. There, Jones went 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA in four games (including one start), striking out 12 and walking just two batters. Greene, a 20th-round pick by the White Sox in the 2008 draft, hit .292 in 43 games with Bristol, with 16 extra-base hits (nine doubles, five triples and two home runs), 38 runs scored and 26 stolen bases in 34 attempts. Castillo, a 26th-round pick in the 2008 draft, hit .365 in 43 games with Bristol, with 14 extra-base hits (11 doubles, two triples and a home run) and 18 runs scored. Mahin, in his second year in the White Sox system, started the season with Great Falls (Mont.), but was called up to Kannapolis on June 24 after hitting .318 in five games. However, Mahin has struggled in A-level ball, hitting just .152 in 21 games since the callup. <B>Winning homestand</b> The Intimidators put together their best eight-game homestand of the season, going 6-2 against Hagerstown (Md.) and Greenville (S.C.) Kannapolis took three of four from Hagerstown in the homestand opener last week, then after a day off, won three straight against Greenville before dropping the series finale. Pitcher Levi Maxwell won twice during the homestand, pushing his record this season to 12-4, tying him for the South Atlantic League in wins, and reliever Leroy Hunt got two saves to give him seven on the season.