Six-Run Inning Helps Knights to Third Straight Win
May 11, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - A strong outing from right-handed starter Kyle Drabek and a six-run sixth inning led to a Charlotte Knights 7-2 victory over the Louisville Bats in the series opener at BB&T Ballpark on Monday night. The Knights have won three consecutive games and are now within one game of the International League South Division-leading Durham Bulls.
Drabek was impressive in his fourth start in a Knights uniform, allowing no runs and only one hit through five innings pitched. The Victoria, Texas native did not factor in the decision, but lowered his ERA to 1.89 with the outing.
Matt Davidson gave the Knights their first lead of the game in the fourth inning when he drove in Carlos Sanchez with an RBI-single to left field.
The Bats took a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth inning when Ivan De Jesus clubbed a two-run single up the middle off of Knights reliever Shawn Haviland (1-2, 5.26) - who would go on to earn his first win of the season after two innings of work.
The Knights offense would respond with six runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 7-2 lead. Dan Black singled to lead off the inning and then scored on a fielding error by Bats left fielder Chris Dominguez to tie the game at 2-2.
RHP Ben Klimesh would then relieve Bats starter - and former Knights hurler - RHP Dylan Axelrod. Klimesh would walk Kevan Smith to load the bases before Drew Garcia notched his second RBI of the season with a base hit to right field to give the Knights a 3-2 lead.
Jason Coats was next to the plate, and the Texas native would bring home a pair with one of his two hits in the game. After Garcia scored on a wild pitch to give the Knights a four-run advantage, Davidson drove in his second run of the game with another RBI-single, pushing the advantage to 7-2.
RHP Maikel Cleto came on in the eighth inning and recorded the final six outs to seal the victory for the Knights. The 26-year-old dropped his ERA to 0.47 over ten appearances this season, and has not allowed a hit in his last two games, a span of five innings pitched.
The Knights will look to tie their season-high with a fourth consecutive win in game two on Tuesday night. RHP Chris Beck will take the mound for the Knights in the 7:05 p.m. matchup, facing off against fellow right-hander Josh Smith (0-0, 8.31).
International League Stories from May 11, 2015
- Six-Run Inning Helps Knights to Third Straight Win - Charlotte Knights
- Four Doubles Help Send PawSox to 6-1 Win over Tribe - Indianapolis Indians
- Spot-Starter Todd Shines as PawSox Top Indians - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Gwinnett Fails to Finish Rallies in 5-2 Loss - Gwinnett Stripers
- Tides Hit Early, often, Cruise to Win - Norfolk Tides
- McGregor, Chiefs Ace Braves in Opener - Syracuse Mets
- Fatal First Dooms RailRiders - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Victory Field to Host City & County Baseball Championships May 12 - Indianapolis Indians
- LHV Game Notes - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- SWB Game Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Durham Bulls Game Notes - Durham Bulls
- Bisons Notes - Buffalo at Durham (6:05 p.m.) - Buffalo Bisons
- Bogusevic Named I.L. Batter of the Week - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Gwinnett's Matt Wisler Named International League Pitcher of the Week - Gwinnett Stripers
- International League Names Players of the Week - IL1
- Star Wars Night Headlines Weekend Homestand - Durham Bulls
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.
