IL1 Charlotte Knights

Knights pound Indians, 11-3

May 26, 2005 - International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release


FORT MILL, S.C. --Despite a 0-for-4 performance, Frank Thomas did not disappoint the crowd at Knights Stadium Thursday night as the Knights pounded the Indians 11-3.

Thomas hit what was initially ruled a grand slam in the seventh inning, but after the ejections of Indians pitcher and catcher, the umpires reversed the call and called the runners back on the field. Thomas stepped back in the batters' box and grounded into the double play to end the inning.

The Knights controlled the game 3-2 when Thomas' call was reversed, and a six-run eighth sealed the win for the Knights who were never in danger of losing the game.

But this crowd came to see Thomas, and with his almost-grand slam, he obliged.

Felix Diaz (2-1) earned his second win of the season allowing six hits and three runs in six innings. Matt Smith earned his second save of the season, facing five batters and allowing just one hit in 1 2/3 innings.

For Indianapolis, Jeff Miller, ejected during Thomas' at-bat, picked up the loss, though Chris Enochs stepped into his place and gave up the six runs in the seventh.

The game began relatively normal as the Knights scored the first run of the game in the second inning when catcher Jamie Burke hit an RBI double to score center fielder Brian Anderson (single).

The Indians tied the game in the third, but the Knights retook the lead in the bottom as short stop Pedro Lopez (walk) scored on left fielder Roosevelt Brown's long single.

Indianapolis added two more in the fourth, but their scoring would end there.

Second baseman Trace Coquillette scored a run in fifth, and Burke hit a two-run home run in the sixth to put the Knights ahead 5-3.

Things fell apart for the Indians in the seventh as Coquillette singled, and Lopez reached base after being hit by a pitch. Third baseman Ricky Gutierrez laid the sacrifice bunt to advance the runners, and Miller intentionally walked Brown to get to Thomas.

It has probably been some time since the batter ahead of Thomas drew the intentional walk, but the move paid off as, after the reversal of the call, Thomas grounded into the double play.

No matter, the Knights sealed the deal in the eighth as six of the eleven who stepped to the plate also crossed it again.

Anderson drew the leadoff walk and moved around to third on first baseman Ross Gload's single. Burke walked to load the bases. A two-RBI double from Coquillette scored Anderson and Gload, and a sacrifice fly from Lopez sent Burke home. Gutierrez singled to score Coquillette and moved around to third on a double from Brown.

In his fifth plate appearance, Thomas drew a walk and left the game to a loud ovation as Michael Spidale entered to run in his place.

Anderson earned his second walk of the inning, but this time Gutierrez scored the sixth and final run.

Sanders allowed one hit in the ninth but retired the next two batters to end the game and earn the save.

The Knights and Indians play game three of the series at7:15 p.m. at Knights Stadium Friday. Hall of Famer and former Charlotte Hornet Harmon Killebrew will make an appearance and sign autographs, and team posters will be distributed to the first 2,500 through the gates. Jon Adkins takes the mound for the Knights against Justin Reid for the Indians.

Notes

-Brian Anderson has a four-game hitting streak.

-Joe Borchard snapped hit four-game hitting streak.

-Roosevelt Brown was 2-for-3 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored.

-Trace Coquillette was 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored.

-Frank Thomas was 0-for-4.

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International League Stories from May 26, 2005


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