Knights Drop Finale to 'Wings 6-5
August 9, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - Matt Davidson launched a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, but the Charlotte Knights fell just short on Sunday in a 6-5 loss to the Rochester Red Wings in the finale of their three-game series from BB&T Ballpark in Uptown Charlotte. Home runs by Xavier Avery and Reynaldo Rodriguez helped the 'Wings earn the series win over the Knights, two games to one.
Rochester jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning courtesy of a solo home run off the bat of Avery, his fourth of the season. The 'Wings, who improved to 59-56 on the season, scored at least one run in each of the next two innings, highlighted by a three-run fourth inning. With a 5-2 lead over the Knights after four full innings, the 'Wings looked to cruise to victory. The Knights had other plans.
Charlotte battled back in the bottom of the fifth inning with help from Jason Coats, who came through with an RBI double to make it a 5-3 game. Coats, who is the team leader in RBIs, finished the night 2-for-5 at the plate. His 70 RBIs are second in the International League this season.
The Red Wings added to their 5-3 lead in the seventh inning when Rodriguez hammered his 13th home run of the season. The solo shot gave the 'Wings a 6-3 lead at that point. All six of those runs came off of Charlotte starter Hector Noesi (1-2, 3.44), who was saddled with the loss. In all, Noesi struck-out seven batters over seven innings, but allowed six runs (five earned) on the night.
The Knights threatened in the bottom of the seventh inning and loaded the bases with no outs. Rob Brantly's sacrifice fly scored Tyler Colvin for the team's fourth run. Down 6-4, Coats and Dayan Viciedo followed with back-to-back pop outs, which ended the rally for the Knights. Charlotte added one more along the way in the eighth on the solo blast from Davidson, his team-high 18th of the season.
Rochester starter Michael Bowden (8-3, 2.57) allowed four runs on eight hits over six innings and earned the win. Bowden, who faced the Knights on five previous occasions this season as a member of the Norfolk Tides, walked one batter and struck-out six. Sunday's win was his first as a member of the Red Wings since joining the team on July 25.
Offensively, Brantly led the way for the Knights with a three-hit game, his fourth multi-hit outing of his six-game stint with the Knights. Viciedo extended his hit streak to 11-straight games and has hit safely in all eight games with the Knights this season. Infielder Drew Garcia moved into sole possession of eighth place on the Charlotte Knights all-time games played list. Garcia played in his 283rd career Knights game on Sunday.
The Knights will now begin a four-game series against the Gwinnett Braves on Monday at 7:05 p.m. from BB&T Ballpark. RHP Kyle Drabek (6-6, 2.74) will start for the Knights in the opener against Gwinnett RHP Kanekoa Texeira (4-3, 3.53). Gates open at 6:00 p.m. on Monday as the Knights begin the final stretch of their season-long 10-game homestand.
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