Knights Light-Up the Tides on Sunday, Win First-Half Finale 6-4
July 8, 2012 - International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
(Fort Mill, SC) -- The Charlotte Knights withstood an hour and a half lightning and rain delay at Knights Stadium to win the final game of the first half of the season 6-4 over the Norfolk Tides. The win sends the Knights into the All-Star break with a three-game lead over the Tides in the IL South Division.
Dallas McPherson doubled in the second inning high off the right-field wall and Jeff Baisley scored him with a double of his own to right-center with two outs to give the Knights a 1-0 lead after two.
In the third, Charlotte (50-42) added to their lead when Ray Olmedo doubled to lead off the inning and Drew Garcia brought him home with a sacrifice fly to center. It was Garcia's seventh RBI of the homestand.
Hector Gimenez hit a high, towering home run over the right-field wall in the Knights' fourth inning after McPherson walked and Charlotte led 4-0.
After an hour and a half lightning and rain delay, Dan Remenowsky replaced Matt Zaleski and walked L.J. Hoes with one out. He then allowed Nate McLouth to hit a three-run homer to narrow the lead to 4-3. Right-fielder Conor Jackson threw out Bill Hall trying to score from second to end the inning. Zaleski got a no-decision after having to come out due to the weather delay. He went four-plus innings and only allowed one unearned run on three hits.
McPherson hit his fifth homer of the season in the sixth inning to put the Knights up 5-3. Later in the inning, Jim Gallagher scored from first when Tides pitcher Brad Bergeson fielded Olmedo's dribbler and threw it down the right-field line to put the Knights up 6-3. McPherson was 2-for-3 with the home run, a double, a walk, and three runs scored and Olmedo was 1-for-2 with a double, walk, and a run scored.
Norfolk cut back into the lead in the visitors' seventh when Lew Ford homered over the left-centerfield wall to make it 6-4.
Donnie Veal (4-3, 2.29) pitched two effective innings in relief to pick up the victory. He struck out two, walked none, and did not allow a run or a hit.
The Knights are now off Monday through Wednesday for the All-Star break. Greg Golson, Dan Johnson, Charlie Leesman, and Josh Phegley have been selected as IL All-stars. The game is in Buffalo, N.Y. on Wednesday night and Dan Johnson will take part in the Home Run Derby on Monday night. Charlotte will begin the second half of the season on July 12th - Thirsty Thursday, courtesy of Hickory Tavern, at home against the Durham Bulls at 7:15 p.m. It will be the first of a four-game series with the Bulls from Knights Stadium.
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