IL1 Charlotte Knights

Knights Drop Thursday's Opener 5-4 to Bulls

Published on August 27, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release


(DURHAM, NC) - Luke Maile's two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning propelled the Durham Bulls to a 5-4 win over the Charlotte Knights on Thursday in the opening game of their four-game series from Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The win broke Charlotte's three-game winning streak.

The Knights scored first on Thursday and did so in the top of the first inning on a Matt Davidson RBI single. The RBI for Davidson was his 67th of the season. Charlotte had a 1-0 lead after the first two innings of the opener.

The Bulls charged back in the bottom of the third inning against RHP Kyle Drabek (7-9, 3.55), who was later saddled with the loss. Mikie Mahtook ripped a go-ahead two-run double off Drabek to give Durham a 2-1 lead at that point.

Over the next two innings (4th and 5th), the Charlotte offense tallied three runs against Durham LHP Scott Diamond. In the top of the fourth inning, Drew Garcia came through with a game-tying RBI double. One inning later, the Knights took back the lead thanks to a two-run single off the bat of Kevan Smith. At that point, the Knights had a 4-2 lead over the Bulls and Drabek was cruising.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Drabek began to have his struggles. Charlotte native Richie Shaffer led the inning off with a walk. Drabek then allowed back-to-back singles to load the bases. With the bases loaded for Joey Rickard, Drabek uncorked a wild pitch, which led to Shaffer scoring Durham's third run of the game. Charlotte's lead was down to just one and Maile was waiting for his chance.

Drabek's final batter of the game was Maile, who gave the Bulls the 5-4 lead and win with his go-ahead two-run double. For Maile, it was his first and only hit of the game. It was the most important one on the night however.

In all, Drabek allowed five runs on seven hits over 6.1 innings pitched. Relievers Miguel Chalas (0.2 IP) and Jarrett Casey (1.0 IP) did not allow any runs over the final 1.2 innings. Durham reliever C.J. Riefenhauser (4-2, 2.94) earned the win after 1.1 scoreless innings. Jim Miller recorded his fourth save of the season after a perfect ninth inning.

Despite the loss, the Knights stayed 4.5 games behind first place Norfolk in the International League South Division standings. The Tides lost to Gwinnett 9-3 on Thursday. The G-Braves are now two games back of Norfolk for first place in the division.

The two teams will continue their series on Friday at 7:05 p.m. from Durham. RHP Scott Carroll (6-4, 3.56) will get the start for the Knights against Durham LHP Matt Moore (2-2, 3.71). Pre-game radio coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on ESPN 730 AM and www.charlotteknights.com. The "Voice of the Charlotte Knights" Matt Swierad will have the call for all of the action.

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International League Stories from August 27, 2015


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