Four-Run Sixth Leads Knights Past Pigs 6-2 Thursday
May 31, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
(ALLENTOWN, PA) - Backed by six solid innings from RHP Jordan Stephens, and a four-run sixth inning, the Charlotte Knights beat the Lehigh Valley IronPigs by a score of 6-2 in the finale of their three-game series from Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, PA on Thursday. With the win, the Knights have now won five of their last seven games.
Stephens (2-1, 2.59) tossed his fourth quality start of the season with the Knights in just his fourth career outing with the club. The 25-year-old right-hander allowed two runs on six hits over six innings en route to the win. He struck-out four batters and tossed 89 pitches (60 for strikes). Stephens has been impressive since his promotion to the Knights from Double-A Birmingham on May 13th.
The IronPigs scored both of their runs in the bottom of the fourth inning off Stephens. In the inning, the "Pigs got back-to-back home runs from Danny Ortiz and Trevor Plouffe. Lehigh Valley possessed a 2-0 lead at that point.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Knights came right back and also used the long ball. Second baseman Juan Perez homered off Lehigh Valley starter Drew Anderson (1-1, 4.26), which pulled the Knights to within one run, down 2-1. The home run was the fourth of the season for Perez.
One inning later, the Knights broke open the game with four runs. Right fielder Mason Robbins gave the Knights a 3-2 lead with a two-run single. Center fielder Jacob May continued the hit parade with an RBI single, while left fielder Alex Presley drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home Robbins from third base. Charlotte led Lehigh Valley by a score of 5-1 after six innings.
The Knights tacked on one more run in the top of the eighth inning on another RBI single from May, who finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Robbins finished the game 3-for-4 with two runs scored, and two RBIs. Designated hitter Michael Saunders also had a multi-hit game (2-for-5).
The Knights won two of three games against the first-place IronPigs and will now look to keep their winning ways alive on Friday as they move on to a three-game series against the Buffalo Bisons from Buffalo, NY. RHP Donny Roach is scheduled to start Friday's opener for Charlotte. Pre-game radio coverage of the 7:05 p.m. game will begin at 6:50 p.m. on 730 The Game ESPN Charlotte and CharlotteKnights.com on Friday from Coca-Cola Field. The "Voice of the Charlotte Knights" Matt Swierad will have the call for all of the action.
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