Knights Fall to Bulls 5-2 on Wednesday at BB&T Ballpark
Published on July 8, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - The Charlotte Knights added two more home runs to their International League leading total, but dropped game two of the three-game series to the Durham Bulls 5-2 on Wednesday night at BB&T Ballpark. The loss snapped the team's five-game winning streak.
Coming off of the first 9-inning complete game at BB&T Ballpark in Knights history, veteran right-hander Brad Penny delivered another strong outing on Wednesday. The 14-year Major League veteran allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out seven batters over six innings pitched, but did not factor in the decision. Penny has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his last six outings.
After the Bulls took a 1-0 lead on a Mikie Mahtook double in the bottom of the second inning, Charlotte outfielder Trayce Thompson tied the game in the fourth inning with a solo home run - his 11th of the season. Thompson, who is one of the four International League All-Stars on the Knights this season, went 2-for-4 on the evening. He leads the IL in games played with 87.
Charlotte shortstop Tyler Saladino continued his hot-hitting and gave the Knights a 2-1 lead one inning later with a solo-homer of his own. The long ball was Saladino's fourth of the season and second in as many days. He launched a grand slam in Tuesday's 17-6 win over the Bulls.
The Bulls tied the game in the top of the fourth inning with three consecutive singles off Penny, but the 37-year-old hurler was able to strike out the next two batters to strand a runner at third.
Durham DH Corey Brown broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the seventh inning with a three-run home run off of Charlotte reliever Miguel Chalas, who was saddled with the loss. The home run - Brown's 14th of the season - moved him into a three-way tie with teammate J.P. Arencibia and Charlotte third baseman Matt Davidson for the IL lead in that category.
The Knights and Bulls entered Wednesday night's matchup tied for the IL lead in home runs with 74 each. Charlotte added a pair while Durham tallied one in the game to give the Knights 76 on the season and the outright league lead.
Former Knights reliever Jhan Marinez, who is a 2015 International League All-Star, entered the game in the eighth inning for the Bulls and tossed two scoreless frames to earn his second save of the season.
The Knights and Bulls will play the rubber match of their three-game series at BB&T Ballpark on Thursday night with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch. The series finale will feature another Thirsty Thursday ™ presented by Hickory Tavern, and fans 21 and over can enjoy $3 domestic drafts.
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