IL1 Charlotte Knights

Knights Fall Just Short to PawSox 4-3 on Saturday

Published on August 25, 2012 under International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release


(Fort Mill, SC) - In front of 8,937 fans - their second largest Saturday crowd of the season, the Charlotte Knights fell just short in their first attempt at 80 wins. The Knights loaded the bases in the ninth inning down a run, but were unable to get past the PawSox a night after clinching the International League South Division.

Pawtucket starter Billy Buckner tossed 7.1 effective innings, Tony Thomas hit a two-run home run in the third inning -- which proved to be the difference, and the Pawtucket Red Sox beat the Charlotte Knights 4-3 on Saturday in game three of the four-game series from Knights Stadium. The win was Pawtucket's second against the Knights in seven games this season.

RHP Scott Caroll (3-6, 5.15) started for the Knights and allowed three runs (two earned) over five innings and was saddled with the loss. He struck-out a season-high nine batters in the defeat.

In what was an exciting finish to the game, Charlotte entered the ninth inning down by one run against reliever Alex Wilson. Dan Johnson began the frame with his 93rd walk of the season - the most in Knights franchise history, and the team had the tying run on first base with nobody out. Wilson battled back however and got the next two batters out.

With the Knights (79-56) down to their final out and Brent Morel at the plate, Johnson took off for second base and ended up with his first steal of the season. The heads-up play by Johnson gave the Knights the tying run in scoring position. Jim Gallagher then came on to run for Johnson and the former Tampa Bay Rays slugger left to a nice ovation by the Knights Stadium crowd.

Gallagher then advanced to third base on a wild pitch and Morel drew a walk to put runners on the corners for the Knights. Jared Mitchell followed with a walk to load the bases for the Knights, who were looking for their 10th walk-off win of the season. It was not to be however.

Wilson was knocked out of the game and gave way to reliever Josh Fields, who got Josh Phegley to strike out looking for the third and final out of the inning and game. Fields earned his second save of the season.

Morel, who drew a walk in the ninth, homered earlier in the game. Back in the bottom of the fifth inning, Morel launched a two-run home run off of Buckner. It was his first home run since September 24, 2011. That home run came as a member of the Chicago White Sox.

Despite the loss, the Knights are 16-7 in the month of August and are headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2006 after clinching the IL South Division crown on Friday.

RHP Charlie Shirek will take the mound for Charlotte in Sunday's finale. Pawtucket will hand the ball to LHP Chris Hernandez. Gates open at 1:00 p.m. and first pitch is set for 2:15 p.m. The Knights will celebrate "National Dog Day" with a special "Dog Day at the Ballpark" on Sunday. Fans are encouraged to bring their dog to the game.

Check out the Charlotte Knights Statistics

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International League Stories from August 25, 2012


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