Six-Run Ninth Inning Leads to Braves Win
July 2, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - The Charlotte Knights dropped the series opener to the Gwinnett Braves 7-4 after the visitors scored six runs in the top of the ninth inning to take their first lead of the game. The G-Braves victory was the first over the Knights in five games this season.
With the Knights ahead 4-1 in the final frame, Jose Peraza and Eric Young Jr. both reached base on one-out singles before Cedric Hunter brought the pair home with his first triple of the season to bring the Braves within a run. Sean Kazmar was next to the plate and the G-Braves third baseman tied the game 4-4 with a triple of his own, scoring Hunter from third.
The G-Braves took a 5-4 lead later in the inning when Kazmar came home to score on a wild pitch by Matt Lindstrom. Mallex Smith - the tenth batter of the frame - later drove in a pair with a bases-loaded single to push the advantage to 7-4.
Lindstrom was saddled with the loss in the game, allowing six runs (four earned runs) on five hits over 1.2 innings pitched. The outing snapped the Idaho native's nine-game scoreless streak that spanned 12.2 innings entering Thursday.
Junior Guerra pitched well in his return to the Knights after being optioned from Chicago on Wednesday and re-joining the team on Thursday. The native of Venezuela allowed one run over four innings of two-hit ball, but did not factor in the decision.
The lone run allowed by Guerra came in the top of the fourth inning when Smith doubled and scored on triple by Eric Young Jr. Young's RBI-triple tied the game at 1-1 after the Knights had taken an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second.
Micah Johnson tallied his first triple of the season in the bottom of the fifth frame, scoring Kevan Smith - who doubled - to give Charlotte a 2-1 lead. The speedy second baseman then scored from third on a Tyler Saladino RBI-ground-out to push the advantage to 3-1. The Knights shortstop added his second RBI of the game - and 19th of the season - on a one-out single in the seventh inning to give Charlotte a 4-1 lead.
The Knights and Braves will complete their three-game series with a day-night double-header on Friday, with 1:05 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. start times scheduled. The night will conclude with a post-game fireworks show presented by BB&T and 107.9 The Link.
International League Stories from July 2, 2015
- Francis Dazzles as Bisons Defeat Chiefs 3-2 - Buffalo Bisons
- Six-run Ninth Propels G-Braves Past Charlotte, 7-4 - Gwinnett Stripers
- Six-Run Ninth Inning Leads to Braves Win - Charlotte Knights
- Tribe Offense Erupts Early to Topple Toledo - Indianapolis Indians
- Five Run Second Carries Indians to Series Opener - Toledo Mud Hens
- Buchanan's Gem Helps Pigs Clip Wings, 7-1 - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Columbus / Louisville Game Suspended - Louisville Bats
- Bisons Clip Chiefs in Series-Opener - Syracuse Mets
- RailRiders Top PawSox with Big Offensive Night - Pawtucket Red Sox
- RailRiders Snap Skid, Crush Pawtucket - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Bisons to Wear 'Stars and Stripes Caps' at Friday's Independence Eve Celebration - Buffalo Bisons
- LHV Game Notes - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Durham Bulls Game Notes - Durham Bulls
- Minor League Baseball teams to wear Stars & Stripes Caps this Fourth of July Weekend - Louisville Bats
- Bisons Notes - Syracuse at Buffalo (7:05 p.m.) - Buffalo Bisons
- SWB Game Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Orioles Recall RHP Kevin Gausman from Triple-A Norfolk; Option RHP Tyler Wilson to Triple-A Norfolk - Norfolk Tides
- Donate at Mud Hens Blood Drive Tuesday, July 14 - Toledo Mud Hens
- Jason Martinson Named to I.L. All-Star Team - Syracuse Mets
- Romine, Roller Named All-Stars - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Pigs Open Two-Game Set with Red Wings - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Farmer, Machado, Marte Named to IL All-Star Team - Toledo Mud Hens
- Tyler Henson Named to IL All-Star Team - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Four Knights Named to 2015 Triple-A All-Star Game - Charlotte Knights
- Falu Named International League All-Star - Louisville Bats
- Gwinnett's Manny Banuelos Named International League All-Star - Gwinnett Stripers
- Bats' Falu Named IL All-Star - Louisville Bats
- Bisons' Matt Hague, Gregory Infante Named to International League All-Star Team - Buffalo Bisons
- Four Wings Named IL All-Stars - Rochester Red Wings
- Motter, Mariñez Named International League All-Stars - Durham Bulls
- Four Norfolk Tides Named to 2015 Triple-A All-Star Game - Norfolk Tides
- International League Announces 2015 All-Stars - IL1
- Gwinnett Braves Homestand Highlights: July 4-9 - Gwinnett Stripers
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.
