IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Knights Knock out Tribe 6-1

Published on June 15, 2012 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


FORT MILL, S.C. -- Knights center fielder Greg Golson, third baseman Tyler Kuhn and first baseman Dan Johnson combined to go 9-for-12 with two runs and six RBI, while Charlotte hurlers Charlie Shirek and Donnie Veal held the Tribe to just one run on four singles in a 6-1 victory over the Indianapolis Indians on Friday evening at Knights Stadium.

The top of the Knights batting order terrorized the Tribe throughout the contest as batting 1-3, Golson Kuhn and Johnson combined for all but one of Charlotte's six RBI. However, the first and only Knights' run not to involve the top of the order came when RF Jim Gallagher led off the bottom of the second with a line drive single to right and quickly scored when 2B Drew Garcia followed with a double to left.

Golson and Kuhn would then teamed up to extend the Knights lead to 3-0 later in the frame as the Charlotte center fielder singled home Garcia with a two-out base knock to left before stealing second to set the stage for Kuhn. The left handed third baseman would not disappoint coming through with an RBI base knock to right to plate Golson and give the Knights a 3-0 advantage after just two frames.

Indianapolis however looked to be on their way to significantly cutting away at the Knights' lead when RF Brandon Boggs and 2B Anderson Hernandez led off the top of the third with back-to-back base knocks. However, the Indians would manage only one score in the frame, that coming when LF Gorkys Hernandez grounded into a force out to plate Boggs for the Tribe's only score of the contest.

The Knights would get that run back and then some in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run rally that began with a lead-off single from SS Ray Olmedo. The Charlotte shortstop then swiped second to set the stage for the red hot top of the order.

After the steal by Olmedo, Golson and Kuhn ripped back-to-back one out doubles to plate two more scores and extend the Knights lead to 5-1. Finally, Johnson brought home the game's final score when he lifted a sacrifice fly to center to plate LF Justin Greene in the bottom of the eighth, after Golson had walked and Kuhn singled to move Greene to third with one out in the frame.

Overall, the terrific top of the order trio for the Knights reached base 12 times with each one collecting three hits and Golson and Johnson also each drawing a walk. Golson in-particular has dominated Tribe pitching in the first two games of the current four-game series going a combined 5-for-8 with four runs, two RBI, two walks and two stolen bases.

Overshadowed by the offensive outburst was excellent pitching from Shirek and Veal, who combined to hold the Tribe to just one run on four hits, while striking out 11 and walking just one. Shirek (7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO) struck out seven over seven innings of work to earn the victory and improve to 7-3 on the season, while the former Indians reliever Veal (2.0 IP, 4 SO) struck out four of the six batters he faced over the final two frames of the contest.

On the other side Indianapolis starter Daniel Cabrera (4.0 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) struggled from the onset, allowing five runs on 10 hits in just four innings of work to suffer the loss and fall to 2-3 on the season. Two bright spots on the night for the Tribe were relievers Kris Johnson (2.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 SO) and Evan Meek (1.0 IP, 2 H), who combined for three scoreless frames of relief.

Despite the loss, the Indians (39-28) still gained a half game on second place Columbus (31-37) in the International League's West Division as the Clippers fell in both games of a doubleheader in Gwinnett. Indianapolis and Charlotte continue their series on Saturday night at 7:15 p.m. with the Tribe expected to start LHP Rudy Owens and the Knights scheduled to counter with RHP Matt Zaleski.

The game will be carried on WNDE 1260 AM-WFBQ-HD2, WNDE.com and via iheartradio, a mobile application for iPhone, Blackberry and Android phones with Howard Kellman and Will Flemming on the call. The pre-game show begins at 6:55 p.m.

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International League Stories from June 15, 2012


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