Homers Help Knights Top Bulls, 7-4
July 21, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - Two home runs accounted for all seven Knights runs as they defeated the Durham Bulls, 7-4, for a third consecutive victory on Tuesday night. Charlotte has won four of their six games since returning from the All-Star Break and lead the International League South Division by a half-game over the Norfolk Tides.
The Bulls took an early lead when Hak-Ju Lee singled with the bases loaded to score Richie Shaffer in the top of the second inning. Bulls catcher Bobby Wilson was next to the plate, and Knights starter Brad Penny was able to induce a ground-ball double-play to end the inning and shift the momentum in the Knights direction.
Matt Tuiasosopo started the rally with a double off of Bulls starter Everett Teaford in the bottom of the second inning. After a Chris Marrero walk, Kevan Smith gave the Knights a lead with a three-run home run to deep left field. The homer was Smith's fifth of the season and first since June 9th. The momentum would carry into the following inning.
In the bottom of the third, Jason Coats doubled to put two men in scoring position. After Matt Davidson walked to load the bases, Durham called on Jim Miller to relieve Teaford. The first pitch from Miller to Tuiasosopo flew over the Piedmont Natural Gas Picnic Area in left field of BB&T Ballpark for a grand slam. The slam was Tuiasosopo's third of the season and fourth home run in his last five games.
The two long balls offered plenty of support for Penny, who allowed four runs on four hits and three walks over six solid innings to earn his fifth win of the season. The veteran owns a 5-3 record over 15 starts with the Knights this season, and has not suffered a loss since May 3rd.
Nick Franklin added a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning off of Penny to cut the Knights lead to 7-2. An inning later, Taylor Motter hit a two-run shot to bring the Bulls within three runs, but that would be the closest they got.
Blake Smith took over for Penny in the seventh frame and tossed two strong innings of relief. The former Dodgers farmhand recorded five of the six outs via strikeout, and allowed only one hit over two scoreless frames.
Left-hander Zach Phillips was asked to record the final three outs for the second consecutive night, and the Knights closer tossed a perfect ninth inning to earn his eighth save of the season.
Trayce Thompson added a double in the eighth inning - his team-leading 23rd two-bagger of the season. The 24-year-old has recorded 38 extra-base hits this season, second most in the International League.
Micah Johnson had his streak of multi-hit games snapped at six with a 0-for-5 night at the plate. The second baseman is still batting .326 this season, the second highest average among all qualified IL batters.
The Knights and Bulls will continue their four-game series with game three on Wednesday night. Scott Carroll will take the mound for Charlotte in the 7:05 p.m. matchup as the Missouri native makes his ninth start for the Knights this season. He will face-off against Bradin Hagens, who earned his first career IL victory against the Knights earlier this season.
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