IL1 Charlotte Knights

Bats Take Finale, Beat Knights 5-4 in 10 Innings

Published on May 14, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release


(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - Irving Falu's RBI double in the top of the 10th inning broke a 4-4 tie and led the Louisville Bats to a 5-4 win over the Charlotte Knights on Thursday in the finale of their four-game series from BB&T Ballpark. The game-winning RBI double came after a three-run ninth inning for the Bats, who avoided a series sweep at the hands of the Knights.

Charlotte reliever Jairo Asencio (0-2, 3.86) came on in the ninth inning with two runners on base and just one out. Asencio, who was eventually saddled with the loss, allowed three runs to score in the inning, which tied the game at 4-4. A key double by Chris Dominguez, a wild pitch, and a single by Ryan LaMarre all led to runs in the frame and sent the Knights to the bottom of the ninth all tied up.

A day after the Knights walked-off with a 5-4 win in 10 innings, the Knights failed to push a run across in the ninth or 10th and lost for the first time on the homestand. The loss did not allow the Knights to notch what would have been their sixth consecutive win.

The Knights jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning thanks to an RBI single from third baseman Matt Davidson. The lead stayed intact until the top of the third inning when Louisville first baseman Chris Dominguez doubled home the tying run.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Matt Tuiasosopo launched his first home run of the season, a solo shot off of Louisville starter David Holmberg. Tuiasosopo had three hits on the evening and came within a triple of hitting for the cycle.

Two innings later, Wednesday's hero Kevan Smith launched a two-run home run, which gave the Knights the 4-1 lead at that point. It was Smith's second home run of the season. Smith's single in the 10th inning of Wednesday's game gave the Knights their fifth-straight win.

Charlotte RHP Brad Penny started for the Knights and allowed one run on seven hits over five innings, but did not factor in the decision. The 14-year Major League veteran threw 96 pitches on the evening and struck-out six. RHP Shawn Haviland relieved Penny and did not allow a run in the sixth or seventh inning. Charlotte's Maikel Cleto had had trouble in the ninth inning, which gave way for Asencio.

The Knights welcomed their ninth sell-out crowd of the season on Thursday with a spectacular crowd of 10,294 fans. Earlier in the day, BB&T Ballpark was named by Baseball America as the "Best Ballpark in Minor League Baseball". After leading all of Minor League Baseball in attendance last season, the Knights currently lead the International League in attendance this season with 176,027 fans through the gates through their first 19 home games. Their average attendance per game - 9,265 - is also tops in the league.

Charlotte will now begin a three-game series with the Syracuse Chiefs on Friday from BB&T Ballpark. RHP Erik Johnson (3-2, 4.39) will get the start for the Knights against Syracuse RHP A.J. Cole (0-1, 2.67). Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and the Knights will light-up-the-sky with post-game fireworks courtesy of 107.9 The Link and BB&T.

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International League Stories from May 14, 2015


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