Knights Power Past Tides, 8-4
July 19, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - In the finale of a highly competitive four-game series, the Charlotte Knights reclaimed first place in the International League South Division with an 8-4 victory over the Norfolk Tides. The Knights tallied three home runs en route to their 30th victory of the season at BB&T Ballpark, and 54th overall.
Micah Johnson put the Knights ahead early when he singled and scored on a Matt Davidson RBI-single in the bottom of the first inning. The single was one of three hits on the day for Johnson, who has contributed multi-hit efforts in five consecutive games. In those five games, the speedy second baseman has recorded 12 hits and eight runs scored.
Shawn Haviland - who was activated from the disabled list on Saturday - got the start on the mound for the Knights and allowed only one hit through the first three innings. The Tides got on the 'board in the fourth inning when Christian Walker tallied his seventh home run of the season - a two-run shot that gave Norfolk a 2-1 lead.
Rey Navarro pushed the Tides lead to 4-1 with a two-RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning. Haviland did not factor in the decision after allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits over 4.2 innings pitched.
The Knights then scored three runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the game 4-4. Kevan Smith started the three-run rally with a lead-off single. Tyler Colvin followed, and delivered the first of three Knights homers on the day, a two-run shot to deep right field that brought Charlotte within a run. Johnson then made it three consecutive hits with a single off of Tides starter Zach Davies. The second baseman moved into scoring position on a Leury Garcia sacrifice bunt and tied the game by scoring on Davidson's second RBI-single of the game.
Charlotte took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning with a lead-off home run by Matt Tuiasosopo to straight-away center field. The home run was Tuiasosopo's third in as many days, and his team-leading sixth in the month of July. The Washington native has 14 RBIs through 17 games in the month, tied for third most in the International League during that span. The long ball was also the second of the game off of Davies - who was saddled with the loss - marking the first time in 17 appearances this season that the 2015 Futures Game selection surrendered multiple home runs in a game.
Drew Garcia gave the Knights an 8-4 lead with a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning off of Tides reliever Pat McCoy. The homer was the first of the season for Garcia, and first since May 24, 2014 while a member of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox - Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. His last home run as a Knight came on July 26, 2012 against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at Knights Stadium in Fort Mill, SC.
The Knights bullpen was impressive on Sunday, with Miguel Chalas and Maikel Cleto combining for 4.1 perfect innings in relief of Haviland. Chalas entered the game with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth inning and got Sean Halton to strike out to end the threat. He would go on to earn the win, his first of the season. Cleto took the mound next and recorded the final six outs - including five consecutive strikeouts - to earn his fifth save of the season. The five whiffs tied a season-high for the Knights closer.
The two teams remain within a half-game of each other for the division lead, and will not face-off again until a two-game series at Harbor Park beginning on August 31 - the final regular season series between the two clubs. The Knights will continue their eight-game homestand with four games against the in-state rival Durham Bulls starting on Monday night. International League strikeouts-leader Erik Johnson will get the start for Charlotte in the 7:05 p.m. Monday night matchup against left-hander Scott Diamond.
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