IL1 Charlotte Knights

Indians Walk off with 6-5 Win on Saturday

Published on August 1, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release


(INDIANAPOLIS, IN) - Josh Bell's first Triple-A hit won the game for the Indianapolis Indians on Saturday.

Bell lined a walk-off, game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the 13th inning off Charlotte reliever Zach Phillips to lead the Indians to a come-from-behind 6-5 win on Saturday in the middle game of the three-game series from Victory Field in Indianapolis, IN.

Drew Garcia recorded three of Charlotte's 13 hits on the night and gave the Knights hope in the top of the 13th inning. With the game tied 4-4, Chris Marrero led the inning off with a double and quickly advanced to third base thanks to a Kevan Smith sacrifice bunt. Tyler Colvin then singled, which put runners on the corners for Garcia.

Playing in his 276th career game with the Charlotte Knights, Garcia hit into a 6-3 groundout in the 13th inning, but it was enough to score Marrero from third base and give the Knights a 5-4 lead. Garcia, who has hit safely in eight of his last 10 games, finished the night 3-for-6 with two RBIs. He has scored a run in four consecutive games.

Ahead by one run and a chance to finish off the Indians in game two of the series, reliever Zach Phillips was back on the mound to begin the bottom of the 13th inning. The 2015 International League All-Star, who allowed two hits in a scoreless 12th inning, had his troubles in the 13th.

Phillips (1-1, 2.62) gave up a one-out double to Steve Lombardozzi and then struck-out Tony Sanchez to bring the Indians to their final out of the game. He then allowed a game-tying RBI single to Willy Garcia, which set things up for Bell, who ended the game with a single through the middle.

In all, Phillips allowed two runs over 1.2 innings and was saddled with the loss, his first of the season. He was the sixth pitcher on the evening for the Knights. RHP Scott Carroll was the scheduled starter on Saturday, but he was recalled to the Chicago White Sox earlier in the day. Left without a starting pitcher, the Knights handed the ball to RHP Junior Guerra, who allowed one run on two hits over three innings. Five Charlotte relievers combined to allow five runs over the final 9.2 innings pitched.

Before the game, the Knights welcomed Dayan Viciedo back to the team. The Chicago White Sox signed the Cuban native on Saturday and assigned him to Charlotte. The 26-year-old slugger, who hit 20 home runs in back-to-back seasons for the Knights from 2010-11, went 2-for-6 in his 2015 Knights debut.

The two teams will conclude their three-game series on Sunday with a 1:35 p.m. matinee from Victory Field. RHP Erik Johnson will start for the Knights against RHP Angel Sanchez for the Indians. Pre-game radio coverage begins at 1:20 p.m. on ESPN 730 AM and www.charlotteknights.com. The "Voice of the Charlotte Knights" Matt Swierad will have the call for all of the action.

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International League Stories from August 1, 2015


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