Knights Drop Opener, Lose 3-1 to IronPigs on Thursday
May 21, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
(ALLENTOWN, PA) - Lehigh Valley left-handed pitcher Joely Rodriguez tossed seven shutout innings, Brian Bogusevic launched a key two-run home run, and the IronPigs beat the Charlotte Knights by a score of 3-1 on Thursday in the opening game of a four-game series from Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, PA. The win was the fourth consecutive for the 'Pigs.
Making his ninth start of the season, Rodriguez (2-3, 5.18) allowed just four hits over seven innings en-route to his second consecutive win. The Dominican native threw just 88 pitches on the night while walking three batters and striking out two.
Both Rodriguez and Charlotte right-handed pitcher Kyle Drabek (0-2, 2.32) were in the middle of a pitcher's duel through the first four innings. With the two teams scoreless through four, the 'Pigs began to go to work against Drabek, who ran into trouble in the fifth inning.
Cord Phelps began the fifth inning with a double off Drabek. Three batters later, Chase d'Arnaud singled home Phelps for the game's first run. With a 1-0 lead at that point, Bogusevic stepped to the plate for the IronPigs and did some damage.
On a 2-1 pitch from Drabek, Bogusevic ripped a two-run home run over the center field wall to give the 'Pigs a 3-0 lead. Drabek, who started his sixth game of the season for the Knights, allowed three runs on six hits over six innings and was saddled with the loss. He entered the game having allowed just two runs over his previous three starts (17.0 innings pitched).
The Knights scored their lone run of the game in the eighth inning.
With Rodriguez done after seven marvelous innings, the 'Pigs handed the ball to reliever Hector Neris, who had his troubles. Neris allowed a leadoff walk to Leury Garcia. With Jason Coats at the plate, Garcia quickly swiped second base. Coats then drew a walk, which brought the tying run to the plate for the Knights with no outs. Although Neris struck-out Neftali Soto, he continued to have his troubles. Matt Davidson reached base on a throwing error by Neris, which loaded the bases with just one out. Dan Black then stepped to the plate.
With the bases loaded and just one out, the 'Pigs went to the bullpen and called on reliever Dustin McGowan to face Black.
Black, who launched a grand slam in the eighth inning of the May 10th game from Toledo, drew a walk to give the Knights their first and only run of the game. McGowan, a 33-year-old right-handed pitcher, then retired both Trayce Thompson and Matt Tuiasosopo to end the inning. He came back to the mound in the top of the ninth inning and set the Knights down in order to end the game and earn his second save of the season.
The two teams will continue their four-game series on Friday at 7:05 p.m. from Coca-Cola Park. RHP Chris Beck (3-1, 3.43) will take the mound for the Knights against Lehigh Valley RHP Jason Berken (2-2, 4.99). Berken, a former Knights starter, won 12 games for the team in 2013. Pre-game radio coverage starts at 6:50 p.m. on ESPN 730 AM. The "Voice of the Charlotte Knights" Matt Swierad will have the call for all of the action.
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