Knights Drop Series Opener 3-2 in Extra Innings
May 8, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
(TOLEDO, OH) - The Charlotte Knights (14-13) pitching staff held the Toledo Mud Hens (11-16) to only four hits, but the 'Hens scored a run in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie the game and another in the bottom of the tenth to claim the 3-2, walk-off victory on Friday night.
Down to their final out in the ninth inning, Jordan Lennerton came up with the clutch RBI-single off of Jairo Asencio (0-1, 3.29) to tie the ballgame 2-2. With two-outs in the tenth inning, the 'Hens got another clutch hit from Bryan Holaday that scored pinch-runner Xavier Avery to hand the Knights their second walk-off loss of the season.
The blown save was the first in seven chances on the season for Asencio, who would also be saddled with the loss in the game.
The extra-inning loss spoiled what would have been a victory for LHP Eric Surkamp, who shined in his first start of the season. The NC State product allowed only two hits and one run over five innings pitched, while striking out a season-high seven 'Hens.
The only run scored against Surkamp was delivered by the career International League-leader in home runs, Mike Hessman, who broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning with a solo shot to right field - the 276th blast of his IL career.
The Knights offense responded in the sixth inning, tallying four consecutive singles to start the inning, tying the game at 1-1. The Knights then took a 2-1 lead on a double-play ball that allowed Carlos Sanchez to score from third base.
Surkamp was relieved in the bottom of the sixth inning by RHP Maikel Cleto, who continued his dominant performance with three scoreless, hitless innings. The Dominican native has allowed only one run through 17.0 innings pitched this season, a span of nine appearances.
Sanchez led the Knights offensive attack, tallying three of the team's eight hits, and scoring the go-ahead run in the sixth. Neftali Soto also tallied a multi-hit game with a two-for-five night, and Matt Davidson recorded the only Knights RBI of the game.
The Knights will try to snap their five-game losing skid with a win on Saturday night at Fifth Third Field. Major-league veteran RHP Brad Penny (1-3, 7.27) will take the mound for the Knights and will face-off against RHP Tim Melville (1-3, 5.13) in game two of the three-game set. The final matchup of the series will take place on Sunday, and the Knights will return to Uptown Charlotte on Monday to take on the Louisville Bats in the first game of a seven-game homestand.
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