Knights Fall to Stripers 10-9 in 12 Innings on Opening Knight at Truist Field
May 5, 2021 - International League (IL)
Charlotte Knights News Release
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - Gavin Sheets and Blake Rutherford launched their first career Triple-A home runs, Matt Reynolds added a solo blast, but the Charlotte Knights dropped their Opening Knight game to the Gwinnett Stripers by a score of 10-9 in 12 innings on Tuesday evening from Truist Field. Tuesday's game lasted four hours and 26 minutes and took place 615 days after Charlotte's last home game on August 28, 2019.
The Stripers took the lead and ultimately the game when they scored two runs in the top of the 12th inning. In the bottom of the 12th down by a score of 10-8, the Knights added one more to pull within one run, but fell just short in the season opener.
Making his first career start in Triple-A, Sheets went 2-for-5 with the home run and four RBIs. His homer traveled 430 feet to tie the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the third inning. The 25-year-old slugger is the second member of his family to play in Charlotte, joining his dad, Larry Sheets. The elder Sheets played for the Charlotte O's in 1980 and 1983. He hit 25 home runs with the O's in 1983.
Rutherford, 24, homered in the seventh inning and finished with three runs scored. Rated as the number 12 prospect in the organization by Baseball America, Rutherford reached base three times on the evening (the home run and two walks). First baseman Joe DeCarlo added two hits for the Knights.
RHP Jimmy Lambert got the start for the Knights and allowed three runs on two hits over 1.1 innings pitched. The Knights used a total of eight pitchers on the night. RHP Tyler Johnson (0-1, 0.00 ERA) was saddled with the loss after he allowed two unearned runs in the 12th.
The two teams will continue their six-game series on Wednesday at 7:04 p.m. from Truist Field. RHP Jonathan Stiever is scheduled to get the start for the Knights in game two against Gwinnett RHP Kyle Wright. The "Voice of the Charlotte Knights" Matt Swierad and broadcaster Mike Pacheco will have the call for all of the action on 730 The Game ESPN Charlotte and CharlotteKnights.com. Gates for the game open at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
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