IL1 Charlotte Knights

Johnson Delivers Again, Knights Top 'Wings 3-1

Published on June 26, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release


(ROCHESTER, NY) - The Charlotte Knights came away with a 3-1 victory over the Rochester Red Wings behind another strong start from RHP Erik Johnson in the series opener from Frontier Field.

Johnson delivered another dominant performance, scattering four hits and allowing one run over seven innings pitched on way to his team-leading seventh win of the season. The run came on a Carlos Paulino RBI-double in the fifth inning and snapped Johnson's 29-inning scoreless streak - the longest of his career. The International League leader in strikeouts also added seven more whiffs to his total that now sits at 96 - 20 more than any other IL pitcher.

The run support for Johnson started in the top of the third inning when Kevan Smith doubled to lead-off the frame and then scored on a Micah Johnson double two batters later. The Knights second baseman would then come in to score on a Jason Coats RBI-single to give the team a 2-0 advantage. The RBI was Coats' 42nd of the season, giving him the outright, team lead in the category - one more than Matt Davidson.

After Paulino cut the lead to 2-1 in the fifth, the Knights came up with an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning when Tyler Saladino delivered a two-out RBI-single to score Smith from second base. The Knights catcher led the offensive attack with his 3-for-4 night, scoring two of the team's three runs.

Matt Albers made the first appearance of his major-league rehab assignment on Friday, tossing a perfect eighth frame in relief of Johnson. Lefty Zach Phillips would then replace Albers and spin a perfect ninth to seal the 3-1 victory and earn his fifth save of the season.

After dropping the first two games of their 10-game road trip, the Knights have won three straight and find themselves tied with the Indianapolis Indians for the best record in the International League. The team will look for a fourth consecutive win on Saturday as RHP Brad Penny is set to take the mound in the 7:05 p.m. matchup from Frontier Field.

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International League Stories from June 26, 2015


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