Knights Knotes — Game 2 of 144
CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS (1–0, 2014, T-1st) (65–78, 3rd South — 2013) @
NORFOLK TIDES (0–1- 2014, T-3rd) (77–67, 2nd South — 2013)
TODAY’S PROBABLES
CHA RHP Andre Rienzo (1st start) @ NOR RHP Kevin Gausman (1st start)
UPCOMING PROBABLES
SAT: CHA LHP Eric Surkamp (1st start) @ NOR RHP Steve Johnson (1st start)
SUN: CHA RHP Dylan Axelrod (1st start) @ NOR LHP T.J. McFarland (1st start)
MON: CHA LHP Charlie Leesman (1st start) @ DUR LHP Erik Bedard (1st start)
LAST KNIGHTS GAME: RHP Scott Carroll (1–0, 0.00) allowed just five hits over six scoreless innings, Jared Mitchell
provided the punch with a two-run home run in the fifth inning, and the Charlotte Knights shut out the Norfolk Tides by a score of 3–0 on Opening Day from Harbor Park in Norfolk, VA on Thursday. The win was Charlotte’s third straight over Norfolk dating back to last season. Mitchell, 25, launched a two-out, two-run blast off Norfolk starter Eddie Gamboa (0–1, 3.60) to give the Knights a 2–0 lead. It was Mitchell’s second home run as a Knight — he hit one in 2012 in 36 G. Gamboa made a spot start for the Tides as scheduled starter Kevin Gausman was scratched just hours before the game. Gausman will start tonight’s game in his 2014 season debut.
PETRICKA PROMOTED: Charlotte right-handed pitcher Jake Petricka, who compiled a 2–0 record with a 1.17 ERA in 10 games for the Knights last season, was recalled to Chicago today. Petricka, who has yet to pitch this season, becomes the first Knights player to earn a promotion to the White Sox this year. In 2013, 21 Knights received a promotion to Chicago. Petricka, 25, made his Major League debut with the White Sox on August 22, 2013 at Kansas City. The Northfield, MN native compiled a 1–1 record with a 3.26 ERA in 16 games for Chicago. He was originally selected by the White Sox in the second round of the 2010 draft. He will replace RHP Nate Jones, who was placed on the disabled list today by Chicago.
OVER .500: With their Opening Day win last night, the Knights are over the .500 mark for the first time in over a year. The 2013 Knights were never at or over the .500 mark. The last time the Knights were over .500 was during the 2012 season when the finished the year 83–61 and were winners of the IL South Division.
THRICE IS NICE: 3B Matt Davidson had a solid day at the plate in yesterday’s game, going 3-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI. Davidson is ranked by Baseball America as the fourth-best prospect in the White Sox system. It was the most hits he had in a game since September 2, 2013 when he had four hits. He had eight games of three hits or more last year with Reno (one four-hit game). In five Minor League seasons, Davidson has compiled a .268 batting average with 80 home runs and 374 RBIs. Last season with Triple-A Reno, the California native hit .280 with 17 home runs and 74 RBIs. He won the ’13 All-Star HR Derby.
TRIP, TRIP, HOORAY: Josh Phegley tripled in the ninth inning of last night’s season opener and came around to score on Matt Davison’s RBI single. For Phegley, it was his first triple since May 27, 2013. It was just the fifth triple of his Minor League career.
PURCEY FOR THE SAVE: LHP David Purcey threw two scoreless, hitless innings last night to notch his first save of the season and the fourth in his Knights career (he had three last season). Purcey appeared in 26 games for the Knights a season ago and posted a 0–2 record with a 3.03 ERA.
