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Charlotte Knights

Clippers set sail against Knights

July 17, 2006 - International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release


Charlotte returned home Monday evening looking to right the ship after a lackluster 1-3 road trip to start the second half of the season. However, Columbus starter Tommy Phelps and the Clipper offense dished out their own house-warming gift in the form of a 8-4 victory over the home team.

It was Columbus, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, being the aggressor early after a leadoff walk, stolen base and a double in the first inning plated the first run just three batters into the game.

That set the tone for the rest of the contest as every Columbus batter managed a hit. The Clippers scattered runs in the third and fifth innings taking the 5-0 lead into the sixth.

Columbus shortstop Andy Cannizaro led off the sixth inning with a triple down right-field line. He would score just one pitch later after a Kevin Thompson single. Carlos Pena provided an even larger offensive strike with a two-run home run deep over the right field wall providing Columbus their biggest lead of the day 8-0.

Charlotte starter Charlie Haeger's knuckleball was not dancing across the plate quite the way it normally does as he receives just his third loss of the season. Haeger still sits at 10 wins on the season. His teammate Heath Phillips leads the International League in wins with 11.

The Knights managed just two base runners through the first four innings, before mustering up a bases loaded situation in the fifth with Andy Gonzalez at bat only to leave all three runners stranded.

Charlotte was able to push three runners across the plate in the sixth inning cutting the score to 8-3, but for the second straight inning Gonzalez failed to capitalize with the bases loaded going down on strikes with the bases full of Knights. Gonzalez left a total of eight runners on-base.

Shortstop Jorge Velandia offered a glimmer of hope in the ninth inning with a two-out solo home run cutting the lead to 8-4. The two-out rally would stop right there as the Knights were retired just two batters later.

The two teams will continue the four game series Tuesday with a special 12:15 p.m. first pitch time. Columbus will send right-hander Steven White to the mound, as he will battle Charlotte right-hander Tim Redding.

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International League Stories from July 17, 2006


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