Knights Charge Past Bulls 4-2 in Sunday's Finale
August 5, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - RHP Michael Kopech struck-out nine batters over seven impressive innings and center fielder Ryan Cordell roped a two-run triple in the fifth inning to propel the Charlotte Knights past the Durham Bulls by a score of 4-2 on Sunday from BB&T Ballpark in Uptown Charlotte.
Kopech (5-7, 4.05) allowed just two runs on eight hits over seven solid innings to earn the win. Ranked as the top pitching prospect in the Chicago White Sox organization, the 22-year-old hurler put together another solid day on the mound. Kopech, who leads the International League in strikeouts with 152, threw 106 pitches (82 for strikes), and did not walk a batter on the afternoon.
Relievers Aaron Bummer (1.0 IP) and Gregory Infante (1.0 IP) held the Bulls scoreless over the final two innings to help the Knights close out the series and homestand with a victory. Infante notched his team-high seventh save of the season.
Offensively, the Knights tallied three triples on the day, including a big fifth-inning triple from Cordell, which proved to be the difference in the game. Down by a score of 2-1 at the time, Cordell, who finished the game 2-for-4, recorded the go-ahead triple in the inning. The Knights never looked back after that.
Additionally, designated hitter Ryan LaMarre and second baseman Eddy Alvarez also tripled in the game to help pace the Charlotte offense. Left fielder Charlie Tilson finished the game 2-for-4 with a run scored. The Knights had a total of eight hits in Sunday's finale.
The Knights will have an off day on Monday before opening up a road trip on Tuesday from Syracuse, NY against the Syracuse Chiefs. Pre-game radio coverage of Tuesday's 6:35 p.m. game is set for 6:20 p.m. on 730 The Game ESPN Charlotte. The "Voice of the Charlotte Knights" Matt Swierad will have the call for all of the action.
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