Bulls Salvage Finale in Pitchers' Duel, Knights Take Series
July 23, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - A pair of major-league-experienced pitchers dueled in front of a sellout crowd at BB&T Ballpark on Thursday, but another late-inning comeback for the Charlotte Knights was not in the cards as the duel ended in a 4-0 Durham Bulls victory. The Bulls salvaged the finale, but Charlotte came away with the series victory by taking the first three games of the set.
Bulls pitchers - lead by starter Matt Andriese - allowed only four hits in the 4-0 shutout victory, the seventh shutout of the Knights this season. Andriese (2-1, 1.84) tossed the first seven frames and allowed only two Knights to reach base. The 25-year-old has allowed one earned run in three starts since returning to Durham from a July 7th spot start with the Tampa Bay Rays. The former 3rd round pick (2011) owns a 3-2 record in 12 games (seven starts) over four stints with the major league club this season.
Knights starter Hector Noesi (0-1, 2.08) was also impressive on the mound, as the 28-year-old dealt six strong innings in his second start (third appearance) since being outrighted to Charlotte from Chicago on June 28th. He was saddled with the loss despite allowing only two runs on three hits and three walks. The Dominican native struck out seven Bulls in the game, and now has 14 strikeouts in 13.0 innings pitched with the Knights this season.
Ryan Brett drove in both runs against Noesi with a line-drive single to center field in the sixth inning. Hak-Ju Lee and Luke Maile scored on the play after each reached base on one of three walks issued by the Knights starter.
The Bulls added to their lead in the top of the ninth inning when a pair of walks issued by Knights reliever Maikel Cleto led to two more runs and a 4-0 Durham advantage. Maile and Boog Powell each added RBI-singles in the inning.
Andrew Bellatti relieved Andriese in the eighth inning and picked up where the Bulls starter left off, allowing two hits in two scoreless innings to seal the shutout victory and earn his first save of the season. The right-hander tied his season-high with five strikeouts in the game.
Thursday night's game concluded an eight-game homestand in which the Knights won five of the eight contests. The team will now head to Gwinnett for the first three games of a ten-game road trip. First pitch of Friday night's matchup is set for 7:05 p.m. from Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, GA.
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