Viciedo, Knights Power Past 'Hens 9-6 Saturday
August 15, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
(TOLEDO, OH) - Before spending parts of five seasons in the majors with the Chicago White Sox, Dayan Viciedo made headlines in 2010 as a 21-year-old Cuban sensation with the Charlotte Knights. Five years later, at 26 years old, he's looking to once again get back to Chicago by way of Charlotte.
Viciedo reached base five times, Kyle Drabek spun six solid innings, and the Charlotte Knights beat the Toledo Mud Hens by a score of 9-6 on Saturday in the middle game of their three-game series from Fifth Third Field in Toledo, OH. With the win, the Knights will have a chance to play for the series win on Sunday.
Drabek (7-7, 3.27) allowed three runs over six innings of work on Saturday for his second win in August. The Texas native gave up five hits, walked three, and struck-out four to earn his seventh win of the season. He was backed by his offense.
The Knights belted out 10 hits on Saturday and Viciedo was a big part of the much-needed offensive assault. Viciedo, who spent parts of six seasons in the Chicago's organization from 2009 to 2014, including two 20-home run seasons with the Knights from 2010-2011, had a fantastic night at the plate in the middle game of the set. The Cuban-born slugger went 3-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored, two RBIs, and two walks. He upped his batting average to .310 (18-for-58) in 14 games with the Knights this season.
The Mud Hens scored first on Saturday and did so in the bottom of the second inning against Drabek. Mike Hessman led the bottom of the second frame off with a double -- one of three two-baggers in the inning. Three batters later, Corey Jones drove home Hessman with an RBI double. Bryan Holaday followed with a two-run double to make it a 3-0 Toledo lead at that point. Charlotte battled back.
In the top of the third inning, the Knights broke the game open against Toledo LHP Kyle Lobstein (0-1, 7.71). Charlotte's first three batters in the inning reached base, which loaded things up for Leury Garcia, who smacked an RBI single down the third base side. Two batters later, Matt Davidson ripped a two-run double, which tied the game at 3-3. The Knights were not done there.
With the bases once again loaded, the Mud Hens called on reliever Drew VerHagen with just one out in the inning. VerHagen also had his troubles.
Charlotte DH Rob Brantly came through with a go-ahead, sacrifice fly RBI to give the Knights the 4-3 lead at that point. Catcher Kevan Smith then roped a double to left field, which scored Davidson and nearly scored Viciedo, who was thrown out at home for the third and final out of the inning. Still, the Knights scored five in the frame and possessed a 5-3 lead at that time.
Two innings later, the Knights tacked on another run on an RBI double by Viciedo. The Knights, who dropped the opener on Friday by a score of 6-1, had a 6-3 lead over the 'Hens at that point.
Three innings later, Tyler Colvin stepped to the plate with the bases loaded against reliever Ian Krol. Colvin, who replaced Chicago White Sox outfielder J.B. Shuck in the bottom of the seventh inning, lined a two-run single in the 8th to give the Knights an 8-4 lead.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Mud Hens fought back and scored two runs against the Charlotte bullpen. The inning once again started with help from Hessman, who led things off with a double. Holaday drove Hessman in with a sacrifice fly and the 'Hens did not stop there. With one run already in, Toledo loaded the bases against reliever Junior Guerra, who was quickly replaced by Zach Phillips. Daniel Fields, the first batter to face Phillips, singled home his team's sixth run of the game. That was all the Mud Hens could muster in the game however.
In the top of the ninth, Viciedo's career day at the plate continued as he smashed his second home run of the season with the Knights and 42nd overall with Charlotte over parts of three seasons. The home run, which moved him into sole possession of eighth place on the Knights all-time home run list, gave the Knights a 9-6 lead.
Phillps came back on in the bottom of the ninth inning and retired the side in order to earn his team-high 10th save of the season. In all, Phillips struck-out three batters over 1.2 scoreless innings.
The two teams will conclude their three-game series from Fifth Third Field on Sunday with a 6:00 p.m. game. RHP Brad Penny (6-6, 3.93) gets the start for the Knights against RHP Luis Cessa (0-1, 8.74) for the Mud Hens. Pre-game radio coverage begins at 5:45 p.m. on ESPN Radio 730 AM and www.charlotteknights.com. The "Voice of the Knights" Matt Swierad will have the call for all of the action.
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