KNIGHTS KNOTES — June 1, 2019
KNIGHT LIGHTS: The Charlotte Knights opened up a three-game series last night in Toledo, OH against the Toledo Mud Hens (May 31-June 2) with an impressive 4–0 win. The Knights started the six-game road trip on Tuesday in Indianapolis, IN against the Indianapolis Indians. With last night’s win, the Knights improved to 2–2 on the current road trip (they went 1–2 in Indianapolis). For the season, the Knights are now 12–14 on the road.
ABOUT LAST KNIGHT: LHP Justin Nicolino tossed eight shutout innings, Adam Engel homered, and the Charlotte Knights shut out the Toledo Mud Hens last night in the opening game of their three-game series from Toledo, OH by a score of 4–0. Nicolino’s eight-inning gem was Charlotte’s longest outing by a starter this season. He allowed just one hit over the eight scoreless frames. RHP Thyago Vieira struck-out two batters in the end to seal the win for the Knights.
ROSTER MOVES: The Charlotte Knights have announced four roster moves today. C Seby Zavala was optioned to the Charlotte Knights by the Chicago White Sox after their game last night. Zavala, who is not active for Charlotte today, recorded his first career major league hit last night. He went 1-for-9 at the plate with the White Sox in three games. Zavala has appeared in 21 games this season with the Charlotte Knights and is hitting .218 (19-for-87) with 16 runs scored, seven doubles, six home runs, and 18 RBIs. Additionally, LHP Caleb Frare is 1–0 with one save and a 3.38 ERA in 12 games (13.1 IP/20 SO) with the Knights this season, was activated off the IL. LHP Matt Tomshaw, who posted a 2–1 record with a 7.90 ERA in seven games (one game started) with the Knights this season (13.2 IP), was assigned to Double-A Birmingham. RHP Jordan Stephens, who was placed on Charlotte’s Injured List on May 10 (retroactive to May 8), was activated today and assigned to High-A Winston-Salem. He posted a 2–3 record with a 9.48 ERA in six games (all starts) with the Knights this season (31.1 IP).
KNIGHTS VS. MUD HENS: The Knights and Toledo Mud Hens started a three-game series last night at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, OH. With the 4–0 win, the Knights are now 3–1 against the Mud Hens. The Knights won their series at BB&T Ballpark earlier this year (April 23–25). As a team, the Knights hit .296 (32-for-108) with seven home runs and 26 RBIs in that three-game series.
JUST-IN THE NIC OF TIME: LHP Justin Nicolino (3–1, 4.44) earned the win last night with his eight-inning masterpiece. Making his fifth start of the season with the Knights, he allowed just one hit and one walk over eight shutout innings. He tossed just 84 pitches to earn the win — his second with the Knights this season. He improved to 2–0 with a 3.99 ERA with Charlotte this season. Nicolino was signed by the Chicago White Sox as a free agent on May 5. He began the season in the Minnesota Twins organization and was released by the club after he went 1–1 with a 5.12 ERA in four games (three starts) with the Rochester Red Wings (19.1 IP).
LAST COMPLETE GAME SHUTOUT: The last time a Charlotte hurler has tossed a nine-inning, complete-game shutout was on August 9, 2016 when RHP Terance Marin beat the Louisville Bats at BB&T Ballpark. His final line that day was remarkable (9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 SO). Earlier that year, RHP Jacob Turner also tossed a nine-inning, complete-game shutout (6/24/16 at Gwinnett).
HOME RUN KNIGHTS: As a team, the Knights now have 78 home runs in 2019, which is tied for third in the IL this season. 1B Matt Skole swatted his team-leading 14th home run of the season on Saturday, May 25 — tying his entire 2018 mark. Skole actually has 15 home runs this season, but the home run he hit in the May 5th suspended game will not count until that game is resumed and completed on June 28. He would be tied for the IL lead in that category with Bobby Bradley, Will Craig, Austin Riley and Adam Duvall (15 each).
TO-KNIGHTS STARTING PITCHER: LHP Ross Detwiler (1–1, 3.71) will make his fourth start of the season with the Knights tonight. He made his Charlotte Knights debut on Tuesday, May 14 at BB&T Ballpark and dazzled over six innings. The St. Louis, MO native notched 10 strikeouts and allowed just one run on seven hits. Detwiler, a 2007 first-round draft pick of the Washington Nationals (sixth overall), was added to Charlotte’s active roster on May 11 after signing with the Chicago White Sox.
