Robert's Career Night Powers Knights to 15-12 Win
July 11, 2019 - International League (IL) - Charlotte Knights News Release
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - Behind a dominant debut from one of baseball's brightest prospects, the Charlotte Knights defeated the Gwinnett Stripers 15-12 in a wild slugfest on Thursday night at BB&T Ballpark in the opener of their four-game series.
Making his Triple-A debut, Knights outfielder Luis Robert went 3-for-5 with two home runs, including a grand slam, and a career-high seven RBI to lead the Knights to a win in their first game after the All-Star break.
Down 2-1 in the second, Robert tied the game for Charlotte with a sacrifice fly to right before Danny Mendick came home on a wild pitch to put Charlotte in front.
An inning later, Alcides Escobar singled to center with the bases loaded to plate a pair of runs. Later in the inning, Robert unloaded for his first Triple-A hit, a grand slam 409 feet into the left field stands to give the Knights a 9-2 lead after three innings.
However, the Stripers scored five runs over the next two innings to trim their deficit to 9-7. In the bottom of that inning, the Knights got the run back. Mendick reached with a one-out single. The next hitter, Trey Michalczewski, laced a two-run homer into the right-field corner, his second with the Knights, to put Charlotte ahead 11-7. Not to be outdone, Robert followed with a 428-foot blast to left for his second home run of the night to give the Knights back-to-back home runs and a 12-7 lead after five innings.
Gwinnett wouldn't go quietly, as four runs in the top of the sixth cut the Charlotte advantage to 12-11. But the Knights would pull ahead again as Matt Skole scored on an error. Escobar then plated Adam Engel with an RBI ground out, and Robert capped Charlotte's scoring with a sharp RBI single to center.
Offensively, Robert's incredible night at the plate set the stage while Mendick went 4-for-5 with three runs scored in the win. Yermín Mercedes also went 2-for-4 with three runs and Escobar recorded three RBI for the Knights.
On the mound, Matt Foster (W, 4-1) earned the win with a scoreless eighth inning. Starter Donny Roach gave up seven earned runs on 12 hits with one walk and two strikeouts over 4.1 innings.
The Knights and Stripers continue their series on Friday night. Justin Nicolino (6-3, 4.48) is scheduled to start for the Knights. Pregame coverage of the 7:04 p.m. game is set for 6:50 p.m. on 730 The Game ESPN Charlotte. The "Voice of the Charlotte Knights" Matt Swierad and long-time Knights radio broadcaster Mike Pacheco will have the call for all of the action.
• Discuss this story on the International League message board...
International League Stories from July 11, 2019
- Gwinnett Outscored 15-12 in Charlotte - Gwinnett Stripers
- IronPigs and Red Wings split twin-bill - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Robert's Career Night Powers Knights to 15-12 Win - Charlotte Knights
- Indians Score Five in Seventh, Hold on for 5-4 Victory - Indianapolis Indians
- Robson's Homer Lifts Mud Hens to Win - Toledo Mud Hens
- Bisons Rally to Open Second Half with 5-4 Win in Pawtucket - Buffalo Bisons
- Mella Strikes out Seven in 3-2 Loss - Louisville Bats
- Bonifacio's Blasts Pace Bulls - Durham Bulls
- Mets Roll to 4-2 Victory over RailRiders on Thursday Night - Syracuse Mets
- PawSox Defeated Despite Excellent Performance from Weber - Pawtucket Red Sox
- RailRiders Return to Action with 4-2 Loss - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Post-Game Absolute Journey Concert Friday Night - Rochester Red Wings
- As Jackson Finds His Confidence, Bisons Find a Go-To Arm in Their Bullpen - Buffalo Bisons
- July 20-21: Blue Jays Weekend Features Vladdy Bobbleheads, Duane Ward, Ticket Giveaways & More - Buffalo Bisons
- Bisons Game Notes - Buffalo at Pawtucket (7:05 p.m.) - Buffalo Bisons
- Game Notes (First Half Highlights): Toledo Mud Hens (40-49) at Louisville Bats (33-56) - Louisville Bats
- Game Information: Indianapolis Indians (44-44) at Columbus Clippers (55-33) - Indianapolis Indians
- Blue Jays' LHP Ryan Borucki to Start for Bisons on Thursday - Buffalo Bisons
- MiLB and Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation Seek to Raise Awareness for and End Domestic Violence - IL
- Catch the Hens Take on Syracuse and Tebow - Toledo Mud Hens
- Homestand Highlights: Stripers Host First Responders Night, Latitude & Longitude Shirt Giveaway - Gwinnett Stripers
- Red Wings Homestand Highlights - Rochester Red Wings
- Louisville RiverBats/Bats Homestand Notes: July 11-14 - Louisville Bats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
