Largest Crowd in BB&T Ballpark History Witnesses 7-5 Knights Victory
May 29, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - Matt Tuiasosopo was credited with a double on Tuesday despite hitting a would-be grand slam against the Columbus Clippers. Three days later, he got his grand slam and it set the tone in front of the largest crowd in BB&T Ballpark history.
Tuiasosopo launched two home runs including a first-inning grand slam, and the Charlotte Knights beat the Lehigh Valley IronPigs 7-5 on Friday in the opening game of a three-game series from BB&T Ballpark. The win was Charlotte's fourth in five games on the current seven-game homestand and it came in front of the largest crowd in BB&T Ballpark's history, 10,643.
The first place Knights scored in each of the first three innings, once again using the long ball to do their damage. Leury Garcia led the bottom of the first inning off with a double. Tyler Saladino and Neftali Soto followed with a walk apiece, which set the table for Tuiasospo.
Tuiasosopo missed a grand slam on Tuesday when his long ball, which hit above the left-field yellow line, was ruled a double by the umpiring crew. On Friday, there was no doubt about it this time. On a 0-1 count from Lehigh Valley starter Adam Morgan (0-5, 5.33), Tuiasosopo launched his first official grand slam of the season to give the Knights an early 4-0 lead.
Two innings later, Tuiasosopo connected on a solo home run, which gave the Knights a commanding 6-1 advantage at that point. That's all the Knights needed.
Charlotte starter Brad Penny allowed one run on four hits over four innings. Reliever Sean Hagan (1-0, 0.00), who was promoted to Charlotte earlier in the day from Winston-Salem (A+), allowed one walk and two hits over three scoreless innings. Hagan, a product of St. John's University, earned his first career Triple-A win.
Charlotte Knights all-time hits leader Jordan Danks made his return to BB&T Ballpark on Friday. Danks, who is now with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, went 0-for-4 at the plate. Danks holds the record for most hits in Knights franchise history with 449.
The two teams will continue their series on Saturday with a 7:05 p.m. game. RHP Erik Johnson (4-3, 4.60) gets the start for the Knights in game two against Lehigh Valley LHP Anthony Vasquez (1-1, 5.68). Gates open at 6:00 p.m. at BB&T Ballpark.
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