IL1 Charlotte Knights

Smith Leads Knights Past Tides 10-2

Published on July 11, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release


(NORFOLK, VA) - The Charlotte Knights tallied 13 hits for the second consecutive game in a 10-2 victory over the Norfolk Tides at Harbor Park on Saturday night. Charlotte catcher Kevan Smith led the Knights offense with a perfect 4-for-4 night and four RBIs.

After the Tides took an early 2-0 lead, Smith put the Knights on the 'board with a two-run single in the top of the second inning to tie the game 2-2.

The game remained tied until the fifth inning when the Knights catcher led off the frame with his second single of the day and scored to put Charlotte ahead 3-2. Micah Johnson scored on a Leury Garcia single later in the inning to give the Knights a two-run lead.

The Charlotte offense scored at least one run in each of the final five innings to build a 10-2 lead. Seven different Knights scored at least one run while four contributed multi-RBI games.

International League All-Star Trayce Thompson continued his stellar first half of the season with a 2-for-3 night including two walks and a pair of runs scored. The 24-year-old also added his team-leading 20th double of the season in the sixth inning, and scored on Smith's third hit of the game.

Smith completed the scoring with a sacrifice fly in his fifth at-bat to give the Knights a 10-2 advantage. The four-hit, four-RBI performance set season highs in both categories for the Pittsburgh product.

Kyle Drabek allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks in the first inning before settling into a dominant performance. The former first-round pick finished his outing with five scoreless innings of no-hit ball on way to his fifth win of the season. The 27-year-old is 3-1 with a 1.50 ERA and 13 strikeouts over his last four games started.

Hector Noesi was activated from the Temporary Inactive List and made his Knights debut on Saturday in relief of Drabek. The Dominican native tossed two scoreless innings of two-hit ball while striking out three Tides in his first minor league appearance since 2011.

International League All-Star selection Zach Phillips entered the game in the ninth inning and hurled a perfect frame to seal the Knights 10-2 victory. The left-handed reliever has delivered scoreless outings in 16 of his last 18 appearances.

The second consecutive win over the Tides brings Charlotte within a half-game of Norfolk for the International League South Division lead. The two teams will play the final game prior to the All-Star Break on Sunday at 6:05 p.m. with the winner entering the break as the division leader. Sunday's matchup will feature a pair of pitchers that have spent significant time with their big league club this season, as Scott Carroll faces off against Kevin Gausman.

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International League Stories from July 11, 2015


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