Jason Matthews Shines on vs. Cancer Night
Published on July 24, 2026 under International League (IL)
Charlotte Knights News Release
CHARLOTTE, NC - Friday night at Truist Field featured more than baseball. Yes, the Charlotte Knights and the Norfolk Tides played a twin bill with each team earning a win; Norfolk 2-1 in Game One and Charlotte 6-1 in Game Two, but it was also the Knights' annual Vs. Cancer night.
Members of the Charlotte community poured into Truist Field and combined with the Knights raised over $91,000 for the fight against cancer. The evening featured a heartfelt Home Run for Life celebration midway through the game and a post-game Lantern Ceremony.
As for the baseball, the Tides edged the Knights in Game One, but the home team regrouped in game two.
Charlotte shortstop Jason Matthews, who lost both of his parents to cancer when he was seven years old, hit the very first pitch he saw over the wall for a solo Home Run. The longball was Matthews' third of the year and broke a scoreless tie.
Matthews was not done. In the top of the sixth inning, he robbed former Knight Bryan Ramos of a base hit with a miraculous diving stop and throw from deep in the hole at short.
In the bottom of the sixth Charlotte sealed the win with a five-run frame. Dru Baker's pinch-hit, two-run single and Andy Weber's three-run double provided the fireworks.
Hagen Smith earned his first victory at the Triple-A level with a pair of scoreless innings pitched. Jonathan Cannon also delivered one of his best outings of the season in game one. Cannon worked six innings in a no-decision.
Both teams are back in action at Truist Field on Saturday with the first pitch set for 6:05pm ET.
International League Stories from July 24, 2026
- Tides Splits Doubleheader At Charlotte - Norfolk Tides
- Nashville Falls to Space Cowboys for Third Straight Night - Nashville Sounds
- Saints' Ninth-Inning Comeback Falls Short in 6-5 Defeat to Clippers - St. Paul Saints
- Cross Grand Slam Powers Storm Chasers to 7th Straight Win - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Storm Chasers Take Down Bees for 8th Straight Win - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Durham Maintains Second Half Lead Despite Losses - Durham Bulls
- Jason Matthews Shines on vs. Cancer Night - Charlotte Knights
- Mathews Dominates, Mendoza Homers Twice in Win over Durham - Memphis Redbirds
- WooSox Win on Friday at Polar Park - Worcester Red Sox
- Jason Matthews Shines on Vs. Cancer Night - Charlotte Knights
- Mauricio Drives in Four, Tong Punches out Nine in Win over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Friday - Syracuse Mets
- RailRiders Succumb to Syracuse - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Jebb Homers in Return, Indians Drop Game 4 to IronPigs - Indianapolis Indians
- Jacksonville Loses by One Run Again, Drops 10th Straight Game - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Dylan Moore and Felix Reyes Go Deep as 'Pigs Top Indy for Second Straight Night - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Toledo Stays Hot in Front of Sold-Out Crowd - Toledo Mud Hens
- Red Wings Rally Falls Just Short in Buffalo - Rochester Red Wings
- Kasevich Late Home Run Sparks Bisons Win - Buffalo Bisons
- Bats Struggle in 7-2 Loss to Mud Hens - Louisville Bats
- SWB Game Notes - July 24, 2026 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Shawn Ross Selected by Pittsburgh - Indianapolis Indians
- Stripers' Friday Game vs. Iowa Postponed by Inclement Weather - Gwinnett Stripers
- July 24 Game Postponed - Iowa Cubs
- WooSox Game Information - Worcester Red Sox
- Endy Rodríguez Begins Rehab Assignment in Indianapolis - Indianapolis Indians
- Tides to Volunteer at St. Paul Mobile Pantry - Norfolk Tides
- Red Sox Promote INF Franklin Arias to Worcester - Worcester Red Sox
- Buffalo Bisons Text Service Sweepstakes Ceremonial First Pitch - Buffalo Bisons
- Rochester Red Wings Game Notes - July 24 at Buffalo - Rochester Red Wings
- Saggese Smacks Walk-Off Homer to Snap Four-Game Skid - Memphis Redbirds
- Bulls Fall in Extra Innings at Memphis - Durham Bulls
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.
