Knights Drop Opener 6-3
July 16, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - Henry Urrutia and Steve Clevenger contributed three hits each as the Norfolk Tides topped the Charlotte Knights 6-3 in the opener of an important four-game IL South showdown from BB&T Ballpark on Thursday night. The Tides claimed first place in the division with the victory behind 17 hits and another strong outing by starting pitcher - and South Carolina native - Mike Wright.
Sean Halton delivered the key hit of the game with his two-out, two-RBI double in the seventh inning to top off a three-run frame that gave the Tides a 6-3 lead. The two-bagger was Halton's second hit of the night, making him one of seven Tides to contribute a multi-hit effort.
Micah Johnson led off the bottom of the first inning with his first of three hits in the game, and later scored on a Matt Tuiasosopo sacrifice fly to give the Knights an early 1-0 lead. Norfolk responded in the top of the second when Michael Almanzar drove in Clevenger with an RBI-single to tie the game 1-1.
Johnson tripled and scored in the third inning to put the Knights ahead 2-1 before Leury Garcia -- who reached base on a fielding error -- scored to give Charlotte a two-run advantage.
Three consecutive singles for Norfolk would score a run in the bottom of the fifth inning to bring the Tides within a run. The visitors tied the game 3-3 in the sixth when Dariel Alvarez doubled to lead off the frame and then scored on Almanzar's second RBI-single of the game.
Wright allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits over 6.2 innings pitched to earn his sixth win of the season on Thursday. The East Carolina University product is now 6-0 with a 2.96 ERA in 10 International League games this season, including 2-0 in four games started against the Knights.
Brad Penny got the start for Charlotte in the team's first game since returning from the All-Star Break, and the right-hander delivered another solid outing but did not factor in the decision. The 14-year major league veteran tossed six innings of three-run ball, and used double-plays to end three of the six frames. The outing was Penny's fourth consecutive start of at least six innings with three or fewer runs allowed.
Johnson led the Knights offensive attack with his 3-for-4 night while scoring two of the team's three runs. The speedy second baseman also added a pair of stolen bases to up his total to 22 swipes on the season. Charlotte totaled three stolen bases in the game to give the team 102 on the season, making them the third IL club to surpass the 100 stolen bags mark in 2015.
The Knights and Tides continue their four-game battle for first place on Friday night with another 7:05 p.m. matchup from BB&T Ballpark. Scott Carroll and Kevin Gausman will face-off in a rematch from last week's 2-0 pitcher's duel that handed Gausman his first Triple-A loss of the season. The game will be followed by another Friday Night Fireworks show presented by BB&T and 107.9 The Link.
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