IL1 Charlotte Knights

Knights Beat the Bisons 4-3 Sunday

Published on June 3, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release


(BUFFALO, NY) - First baseman Casey Gillaspie's RBI single in the top of the ninth inning propelled the Charlotte Knights to a 4-3 win over the Buffalo Bisons on Sunday in the finale of their three-game series from Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo, NY. With the win, the Knights earned their third-straight series victory and wrapped up the six-game road trip with a 4-2 record.

Charlotte jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the second inning against Buffalo. Left fielder Mason Robbins scored the game's first run on a sacrifice fly from shortstop Jake Elmore. Second baseman Eddy Alvarez later scored in the second inning on a fielding error by Buffalo shortstop Gift Ngoepe. Catcher Kevan Smith kept the inning alive and added to Charlotte's run total with an RBI single, which scored center fielder Jacob May.

The Bisons battled back and scored two runs in the bottom of the third inning off Chicago White Sox LHP Carlos Rod?n, who made his third major league rehab start with the Knights this season. Rod?n gave up a two-run single to Dwight Smith Jr. in the third inning, which pulled the Bisons to within one run, down 3-2. Still, Rod?n was solid over five innings. He allowed two runs on six hits and struck-out eight batters. Although he left with the lead, Rod?n did not factor in the decision.

Buffalo tied the game at 3-3 in the seventh inning when Smith Jr. singled home Ngoepe off LHP Xavier Cedeño. It was the first earned run Cedeño has allowed since April 24th. The game stayed tied until the ninth inning when Gillaspie singled home May to give the Knights a 4-3 lead at that point. May finished the game 2-for-4 with two runs scored. He has now hit safely in eight consecutive games.

RHP Juan Minaya (1-3, 4.64) earned the win out of Charlotte's bullpen after he tossed a scoreless eighth inning in relief of Cedeño. RHP Thyago Vieira pitched a perfect ninth inning to notch his second save of the season. The red-hot Knights have now won seven of their last 10 games.

After an off day on Monday, the Knights will return home to Uptown Charlotte on Tuesday to open a three-game series against the Syracuse Chiefs (Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals). WWE Hall of Famer Ted Dibiase will meet and greet fans on Tuesday. Gates for the 7:04 p.m. game will open at 6:00 p.m.

Pre-game radio coverage of Tuesday's opener will begin at 6:50 p.m. on 730 The Game ESPN Charlotte and CharlotteKnights.com from BB&T Ballpark. The "Voice of the Charlotte Knights" Matt Swierad and long-time Knights broadcaster Mike Pacheco will have the call for all of the action.

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International League Stories from June 3, 2018


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