IL1 Charlotte Knights

Thompson Homers Twice in 7-5 Victory

Published on June 17, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release


(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - On a night when the Charlotte Knights welcomed their one millionth fan to BB&T Ballpark, the Knights and Pawtucket Red Sox competed in a back-and-forth battle that ended with the Knights coming away with a 7-5 victory behind a pair of home runs by Trayce Thompson.

With the Knights down 5-4 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Thompson came to the plate with two runners on base and one out, and the Knights centerfielder clubbed his second home run of the game - and ninth of the season - to give Charlotte a 7-4 lead.

Charlotte manager Joel Skinner would call on RHP Matt Lindstrom to hurl the final inning, and the Idaho native spun a scoreless frame to close out the PawSox and earn his first save of the season.

Thompson's first home run of the game broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning, a two-run shot off of PawSox starter RHP Jess Todd. The pair of home runs gave the 24-year-old five in his last nine games. He is now one homer shy of tying Matt Davidson for the team lead this season.

Knights starter RHP Miguel Chalas delivered a strong outing on Tuesday night. Making just his second start of the season, Chalas spun four scoreless innings of one-hit baseball while striking out four.

Pawtucket was able to score their first runs of the series in the top of the fifth inning when Luke Montz tied the game at 2-2 with a two-run home run off of LHP Jarrett Casey. The PawSox would then take a 3-2 lead on a Bryce Brentz sacrifice fly later in the frame.

Zeke Spruill would relieve Todd to begin the fifth inning, and after a single, walk, and sacrifice bunt, Micah Johnson and Tyler Saladino delivered back-to-back RBI-singles to give the Knights a 4-3 lead.

The lead wouldn't last long however, as Allen Craig then led-off the top of the sixth inning with his third home run of the season, tying the game again at 4-4.

Maikel Cleto would come-on in relief in the top of the seventh inning, allowing a lead-off double to Jackie Bradley Jr. who would then come around to score on a Brentz single - giving the PawSox a 5-4 advantage. Cleto would go on to pitch two innings of one-run ball and eventually earn the win, his third of the season.

The Knights will go for a three-game sweep of the PawSox in Thursday night's finale, as RHP Shawn Haviland takes the mound for the Knights in the 7:05 p.m. matchup. Thursday night is another Thirsty Thursday at BB&T Ballpark, presented by Hickory Tavern, featuring $3 beer and $1 soda. The game is also presented by North Carolina Education Lottery.

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International League Stories from June 17, 2015


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