Tuiasosopo Tallies Two Homers, Knights Fall 6-3
July 24, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
Lawrenceville, GA - Matt Tuiasosopo continued his red-hot July with a two home run performance, but the Gwinnett Braves scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to win the series opener 6-3 over the Charlotte Knights. The loss was the first for the Knights in six games at Coolray Field this season.
Tuiasosopo has been nothing short of spectacular in the month of July, as his two-homer performance pushed his total to nine this month, and six in his last eight games. Since the first of the month, Tuiasosopo is batting .266 (21-79) with nine homers, 21 RBIs, and four doubles. He leads all International League hitters in home runs and RBIs in that span, and is tied with teammate Micah Johnson for most extra base (13) hits this month. His solo home run in the first inning gave the Knights a 1-0 lead and his two-run blast in the fifth tied the game 3-3, where the score remained until the G-Braves three-run eighth.
Micah Johnson and Jason Coats also added multi-hit efforts on Friday night, each contributing a 2-for-4 performance. Coats accounted for one of the team's three runs, coming in to score on Tuiasosopo's fifth-inning homer.
Kyle Drabek was activated from the disabled list on Friday in order to make his 16th start of the season for the Knights. The former first-round pick allowed three runs (two earned) over six solid innings and did not factor in the decision. The outing was Drabek's fifth consecutive start of six innings pitched with two or fewer earned runs allowed.
Ryan Weber (4-1, 1.56) earned the win by tossing five innings of two-run ball in relief of G-Braves starter Sugar Ray Marimon. The 24-year-old allowed only four hits, with both runs coming on the Tuiasosopo two-run blast in the fifth inning. Peter Moylan came on in relief of Weber and tossed a perfect ninth frame to earn his first save of the season.
Junior Guerra (2-4, 3.86) was saddled with the loss after allowing three runs over 1.2 innings pitched. The 30-year-old Venezuela native is now 1-1 with a 5.91 ERA in six relief appearances compared to 1-3 with a 3.25 ERA in seven starts with the Knights this season.
The Knights and G-Braves will continue their weekend series with game two from Coolray Field on Saturday night. International League strikeouts leader Erik Johnson will get the start for Charlotte in the 7:05 p.m. matchup against right-hander Kanekoa Texeira.
International League Stories from July 24, 2015
- Liz Tough-Luck Loser in 1-0 Shutout - Indianapolis Indians
- Beresford Homers as Wings Fall out of 1st Place - Rochester Red Wings
- Boyd's Brilliant Start Gives Herd 2-1 Win - Buffalo Bisons
- Sampson Throws Eight Frames for Bats' 1-0 Win - Louisville Bats
- Bogusevic's Walk-Off Double in 11th Lifts Pigs, 3-2 - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- RailRiders Slug Mud Hens - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Tuiasosopo Tallies Two Homers, Knights Fall 6-3 - Charlotte Knights
- IronPigs Clip Chiefs in Walkoff Win - Syracuse Mets
- Norfolk Sweeps Doubleheader from Durham - Norfolk Tides
- Hunterâ??s Three Hits Lead Gwinnett to 6-3 Win - Gwinnett Stripers
- Late Comeback Falls Short as Buffalo Wins Opener - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Morel Named June Player of the Month - Indianapolis Indians
- Enjoy Final Craft Brew Tasting Friday, August 14 - Toledo Mud Hens
- Mariano Rivera Coming to PNC Field - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Durham Bulls Game Notes - Durham Bulls
- Miracle on Ice Night Plans Announced - Rochester Red Wings
- Bisons Notes - Buffalo at Pawtucket (7:05 p.m.) - Buffalo Bisons
- Pigs Begin Series with Syracuse - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- LHV Game Notes - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Jayson Werth to Rehab at Coca-Cola Park - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- SWB Game Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
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.
