Knights Power Past White Sox on Friday 10-2
April 3, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
Charlotte Knights vs. Chicago White Sox
(Charlotte Knights, Credit: Laura Wolff/Charlotte Knights)
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) -- In the first major league exhibition game played within the city limits of Charlotte since 1984, the Charlotte Knights topped their parent club Chicago White Sox 10-2 in front of 10,556 fans at BB&T Ballpark - the second largest crowd in BB&T Ballpark history. The Knights used a trio of two-run home runs and scored in six of eight possible innings in the offensive display.
Charlotte jumped out to an early lead when Tyler Saladino scored from third base on a fielder's choice by Neftali Soto in the bottom of the first inning. The White Sox would even the score in the top of the third when Adam Eaton doubled and then scored on a Melky Cabrera single off of Knights starter Shawn Haviland.
The first home run of the night came from Knights starting second baseman Leury Garcia when he deposited a John Danks offering into the right-center field bleachers to give the home team a 3-1 third-inning lead over the big league club.
The next two-run homer came an inning later as Knights outfielder Jared Mitchell sent one out of straight-away center field, extending the Knights lead to 5-1.
Neftali Soto added his second and third RBI of the night with a back-side two-run shot over the right field wall in the bottom half of the fifth frame.
The Knights added another run in the sixth inning when Mitchell doubled and later scored on a Drew Garcia single up the middle off of Javy Guerra. The damage was limited by an outstanding defensive play by Eaton, who threw out Trayce Thompson at the plate to complete a double-play prior to the Garcia RBI-single.
Mitchell and Soto led the Knights offensive attack with three RBI apiece. Trayce Thompson joined Mitchell and Garcia as the three Knights with a multi-hit effort, tallying three singles in his four at-bats.
An error led to two unearned runs in the seventh inning, extending the Charlotte lead to 10-1.
The Sox added one run in the ninth when George Kottaras doubled and scored on a Jason Coats single, cutting the lead to 10-2.
The Knights pitching staff of Haviland, Junior Guerra, Jarrett Casey and Daniel Webb kept the major league hitters at bay, scattering eight hits over nine innings.
The Charlotte Knights will play a scrimmage game against Davidson College on Monday at BB&T Ballpark for a final tune-up before Opening Day against the Norfolk Tides on Thursday, April 9th in Uptown Charlotte. First pitch on Monday is set for 3:05 p.m. and admission to Monday's scrimmage is free. Gates open at 2:00 p.m.
Images from this story
 Charlotte Knights vs. Chicago White Sox (Laura Wolff/Charlotte Knights) |
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