IL1 Rochester Red Wings

Knights Defeat Wings 3-1

Published on June 26, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Rochester Red Wings News Release


Erik Johnson struck out eight in seven innings, leading the Charlotte Knights to a 3-1 win over the Rochester Red Wings Friday night at Frontier Field.The Wings and Knights meet again Saturday night at 7:05 p.m., with free Red Wings caps and fireworks after the game. Complete promotion details below...

Red Wings starter Pat Dean had lost his last three starts coming into today's game. During those games, he allowed 12 earned runs and posted a 6.23 ERA.

Knights starter Johnson came to Frontier Field as the International League Pitcher of the Week after two shutout starts last week against Pawtucket and Indianapolis. Johnson also leads the IL in strikeouts (88) and most strikeouts per nine innings (10.2). He lived up to his Pitcher-of-the-Week honor as he threw three one-two-three innings to start the game, forcing six groundouts and striking out two.

It was not until the top of the third that anyone crossed home plate. The Knights tacked on two runs after Dean allowed two doubles and a base hit. Unable to retaliate in the bottom of the inning, the Knights led the Wings 2-0 heading into the fourth.

With one out in the bottom of the fourth, James Beresford recorded the Wings' first hit of the game--a base hit to left field. His hit was followed by a pop out and a strikeout to leave Beresford stranded at first and the Wings scoreless.

After a one-two-three inning for Dean, Ryan Wheeler knocked a two-out base hit over the second baseman's head in the bottom of the fifth inning. After an eight-pitch battle between Johnson on the mound and Doug Bernier at the plate, Bernier walked to put the tying run on base for the Red Wings. Carlos Paulino ripped a double down the third baseline to score Wheeler from second. Wheeler's run was the first earned run scored on Johnson since June 5. The Knights still led 2-1 heading into the sixth.

A walk and a base hit off the bat of Trayce Thompson (2-for-4), the Knights quickly had two runners on base in the top of the sixth, but both runners were stranded on base by Dean and the Wings. Johnson struck out the side in the bottom of the sixth to leave the score 2-1 Charlotte.

After Dean picked off Micah Johnson and caught him stealing second to end the top of the seventh, Oswaldo Arcia lined a base hit to right field. A fielding error by the Knights' second baseman put Jose Martinez at first and moved Arcia over to second. A double play ball off the bat of Ryan Wheeler and another strikeout by Johnson left Arcia stranded at third base.

Dean came back for the top of the eighth inning down by a run, but Lester Oliveros took the mound to relieve Dean after he walked the lead off batter. Oliveros gave up a base hit to the first batter he faced, putting runners on the corners. Striking out the next three batters, Oliveros got out of the inning without a run being scored.

Dean's line: seven innings pitched, seven hits, two runs, both earned, two walks, and three strikeouts. He threw 95 pitches, 64 for strikes.

In to relieve Johnson in the eighth inning, White Sox pitcher Matt Albers made his first rehab appearance since joining the Knights. Johnson turned in another strong performance, allowing just four hits and a run. He walked one, struck out eight and threw 100 pitches - 70 for strikes.

Michael Tonkin worked the ninth for the Red Wings, allowing one run. Zach Phillips pitched the ninth for the Knights.

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International League Stories from June 26, 2015


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