Eight-Run Inning Leads 'Pigs Past Knights
Published on May 23, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
(ALLENTOWN, PA) - Despite taking an early 3-0 lead, the Charlotte Knights could not slow down the streaking Lehigh Valley IronPigs, as the 'Pigs offense scored eight runs in the fifth inning - including a Brian Bogusevic grand slam - on their way to a 9-5 victory on Saturday night; the team's sixth consecutive win.
The Knights were able to strike first on Saturday night, scoring a run in the top of the first inning on a wild pitch by Lehigh Valley starter Phillippe Aumont - who's 1.38 ERA entering Saturday's game ranked as the second-lowest in the International League among qualified starters.
The IronPigs starter would only allow two hits, but the Knights were able to take advantage of eight walks to score three runs (two earned) over five innings against the right-hander - the most allowed by Aumont at Coca-Cola Park this season. The eight walks allowed by Aumont set a franchise record for a single game, but the native of Quebec, Canada would still earn his second win of the season.
After cruising through the first four innings, Knights starter Junior Guerra would allow two hits and three walks while only recording one out in the fifth inning. The native of Venezuela would leave the game with the Knights still ahead 3-2 but the bases filled with 'Pigs. RHP Shawn Haviland would relieve Guerra, and after allowing an RBI-single to Chris McGuiness that tied the game at 3-3, Bogusevic would give the IronPigs the lead for good with his fourth home run of the season, a grand slam to deep right field.
Former Charlotte Knight Jordan Danks - who had singled and scored to start the fifth-inning rally - later drove in the eighth run of the inning with his fourth double of the season to give the IronPigs an 8-3 advantage.
After the teams exchanged runs in the sixth inning, the Knights threatened again in the ninth, scoring a run to cut the lead to 9-5 and then bringing the would-be tying run to the plate. The rally would come up short however, as IronPigs reliever Dustin McGowan would enter the game with the bases loaded and strike out Trayce Thompson to seal the sixth-straight 'Pigs victory.
The Charlotte Knights will look to avoid the sweep with a win in the finale of their seven-game road trip on Sunday. Veteran RHP Brad Penny will take the mound for the 1:35 p.m. start at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, as he looks to snap the Knights three-game skid. The Knights will return to Uptown Charlotte on Monday to begin a seven-game homestand, starting with a four-game set against the Columbus Clippers.
International League Stories from May 23, 2015
- Gwinnett Clips Columbus, 6-1 - Gwinnett Stripers
- Indians Stun Chiefs with Ninth-Inning Rally - Indianapolis Indians
- Eight-Run Inning Leads 'Pigs Past Knights - Charlotte Knights
- Indians Rally in Ninth, Clip Chiefs - Syracuse Mets
- Villanueva, Tides Top Rochester 2-1 - Norfolk Tides
- The Bulls Strike Back - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Louisville Quiets PawSox Bats in 6-1 Win - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Red Sox Recall RHP Heath Hembree from Pawtucket - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Bisons Notes - Buffalo at Toledo (7:00 p.m.) - Buffalo Bisons
- Atlanta Braves' 3B Chris Johnson Set to Rehab with Gwinnett - Gwinnett Stripers
- Durham Bulls Game Notes - Durham Bulls
- SWB Game Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Orioles Option RHP Tyler Wilson to Triple-A Norfolk; Recall RHP Oliver Drake from Triple-A Norfolk - Norfolk Tides
- LHV Game Notes - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
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.
