Knights Walk off with Thrilling 8-6 Win Saturday
June 9, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - First baseman Casey Gillaspie launched a walk-off, three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lead the Charlotte Knights to a thrilling 8-6 win over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in front of a sell-out crowd of 10,202 fans at BB&T Ballpark on Saturday night. The Knights scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to win for the 10th time over their last 15 games.
In the bottom of the ninth frame, the Knights trailed the IronPigs by a score of 6-3. With the team in search of its first win in the series, the bats exploded for five runs off Lehigh Valley reliever Pedro Beato (1-2, 4.40), who was saddled with the loss. Beato, who entered the game with an International League-leading 17 saves on the season, allowed a costly two-run double to right fielder Mason Robbins, which pulled the Knights to within just one run, 6-5. Then, Gillaspie played the hero.
Appearing in his 45th game of the season with the Knights, Gillaspie stepped to the plate with two runners on base in the bottom of the ninth and chance to give his club a win. That's just what he did as he deposited a 374-foot home run over the left-center field fence to give the Knights their fourth walk-off win of the 2018 season. In all, the Knights recorded four hits in the inning.
Catcher Alfredo González helped pace the offense with three hits on the night, while Robbins and third baseman Patrick Leonard chipped in with two hits apiece.
RHP Jeanmar GÃÅmez (3-0, 1.52), who came on to pitch the top of the ninth inning, earned the win out of the Charlotte bullpen. LHP T.J. House was activated off the DL before the game and got the start for the Knights. He allowed five runs over two innings of work, but did not factor in the decision.
The Knights and IronPigs will conclude their three-game series from BB&T Ballpark on Sunday with a 2:05 p.m. afternoon game. Gates will open at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday and the Knights will hold their annual "Princess Day" at the ballpark.
Pre-game radio coverage of Sunday's 2:05 p.m. game will begin at1:50 p.m. on 730 The Game ESPN Charlotte and CharlotteKnights.com from BB&T Ballpark. Long-time Knights broadcaster Mike Pacheco will have the call for all of the action on the team's flagship radio station. In the TV Booth, the "Voice of the Charlotte Knights" Matt Swierad and veteran broadcaster Jeff McCarragher will have the call on NBC Sports Chicago. The game will also be broadcast live on 102.3 FM Latina in Spanish with broadcasters Rafael Bastidas and Ernesto Hurtado.
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