KNIGHTS KNOTES — April 28, 2019
KNIGHT LIGHTS: The first place Charlotte Knights will continue their nine-game homestand today at BB&T Ballpark as they play the finale of their three-game series against the Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates). After a 10–9 win in Friday’s opener, the Indians evened the series with an 8–4 win last night. Today’s game is the rubber matchup of the series. The Knights are now 3–2 so far on the homestand. The Knights are now 9–3 overall at home this season. They will open a three-game series against the Gwinnett Stripers (Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves) on Monday. The Stripers enter play today having won six consecutive games.
ABOUT LAST KNIGHT: The Charlotte Knights dropped game two of their three-game series to the Indianapolis Indians by a score of 8–4 on Saturday night in front of a sell-out crowd of 10,334 fans. The Knights loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth inning with a chance to tie the game, but Danny Mendick flied out for the final out. Despite the loss, the Knights remain in first place in the International League South Division.
ROSTER MOVES: The Knights announced three roster moves before today’s game. First, OF Joel Booker, 25, was promoted to the Knights today from Double-A Birmingham. Booker, who was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 22nd round of the June 2016 First-Year Player Draft, was hitting .351 (26-for-74) with one home run and nine RBIs this season with the Barons (20 games) this season at the time of today’s promotion. He is currently leading the Southern League in batting average, is first in the league in stolen bases (8), and is tied for second in the league in hits (26).
FROM THE SOUTH TO THE SOUTH SIDE: LHP Aaron Bummer and RHP Thyago Vieira were recalled to the Chicago White Sox today. With today’s promotions, the Knights have now sent six players to Chicago already this season. The other four players, in order of their promotion to Chicago: RHP Carson Fulmer (April 8 & 18), LHP Josh Osich (April 12), OF Ryan Cordell (April 18), and OF Nicky Delmonico (April 22).
OFFENSIVE LEADERS: The Knights have scored at least 10 runs in a game eight times this season (23 games). As a team, the Knights are second in the IL in batting average (.281), first in runs scored (156), first in hits (216), first in doubles (64), second in home runs (34), first in RBIs (147), and first in slugging % (.509).
LEADING THE WAY: SS Alcides Escobar, who is leading the International League in batting average with an impressive .397 mark (31-for-78), went 2-for-4 last night to extend his hit-streak to 12 consecutive games. During the 12-game streak, Escobar is hitting .412 (22-for-53) with seven runs scored, six doubles, and seven RBIs. Escobar is also tops in the International League in hits (31) and tied for first in doubles (9).
CHARLES IN CHARGE: OF Charlie Tilson is now hitting .370 (30-for-81) in 20 games for the Knights this season. He is fifth in the IL in batting average, tied for second in the IL in hits (30) and tied for third in runs scored (18). Over his last nine games, he is hitting .359 (14-for-39). Tilson has hit safely in 14 consecutive home games. During that span, he is hitting .390 (23-for-59).
ZACK ATTACK: Catcher Zack Collins, who launched his sixth home run of the season on Friday night, is first in the IL in RBIs (21), and is fifth in slugging % (.650). Collins made his Triple-A debut on April 4th and went 3-for-5 with three runs scored, a triple, two home runs, and five RBIs. It was his first his two-homer effort since August 10, 2018 with Double-A Birmingham. On Saturday, April 6, he added his third home run of the season.
TO-KNIGHTS STARTING PITCHER: RHP Spencer Adams (1–0, 8.10) will make his third start of the season today for the Knights and his fifth overall appearance of the season. Last season, the Cleveland, GA native went 4–7 with a 3.19 ERA in 15 starts with the Knights (90.1 IP/42 SO).
WINS LEADER: RHP Evan Marshall (3–0, 0.00) is currently tied for the International League lead in wins with three and has not allowed a run in all nine of his appearances this season (10.0 IP). Marshall also has two saves on the season. The 29-year-old right-hander was signed as a free agent on October 30, 2018 by the White Sox.
