KNIGHTS KNOTES — May 19, 2021
KNIGHT LIGHTS: The Charlotte Knights will continue their first road trip of the 2021 season in Durham, NC against the Durham Bulls at Durham Bulls Athletic Park with a 6:35 p.m. first pitch tonight. The Knights are in the midst of playing 12 games on the trip over a 13-game span (off day on Monday, May 24). The Knights will play the first six games of the trip in Durham, NC and will then play the final six games of the road trip in Norfolk, VA against the Norfolk Tides from Harbor Park (May 25-May 30).
ABOUT LAST KNIGHT: Third baseman Jake Burger and designated hitter Brian Goodwin launched solo home runs, but the Charlotte Knights dropped the opening game of their six-game series against the Durham Bulls by a score of 7–2 on Tuesday night from Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The loss snapped Charlotte’s season-high four-game winning streak.
KNIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS: After dropping five of their first six games of the season in a series against the Gwinnett Stripers from Truist Field (May 4–9), the Knights won five of six games against the Norfolk Tides to get back to the .500 mark (6–6) for the first time since May 5 when they were 1–1. Despite their loss last night, the Knights have still won five of their last seven games (5–2 over their last seven).
ROSTER MOVES: The Knights have announced two roster moves ahead of today’s game two in Durham against the Bulls. OF Joel Booker was assigned to Double-A Birmingham, while INF Zach Remillard was promoted to Charlotte from Double-A Birmingham. Booker appeared in eight games this season with the Knights and hit .100 (2-for-20). Remillard, 27, began the season with the Barons and was hitting .295 (13-for-44) with 13 runs scored, two doubles, one triple, one home run, seven RBIs and four stolen bases over 13 games this season.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: INF Marco Hernández was named as the Triple-A East Player of the Week for the week ending on May 16. For the week, Hernández appeared in all six games with the Knights (May 11–16) and hit an impressive .478 (11-for-23) with eight runs scored, four doubles, two home runs and seven RBIs. He had three multi-hit games during the week and recorded a four-hit game on May 15.
HIT STREAKS: 1B/OF Gavin Sheets currently has an nine-game hitting streak (5/8-present)… OF Blake Rutherford is in the midst of a six-game hitting streak (5/9-present)… INF Marco Hernández had his nine-game hitting streak snapped last night.
CAREER DAY: 1B/OF Gavin Sheets launched two home runs in Sunday’s finale — his first two-homer game over his professional career. He is second on the team in home runs (3), first in RBIs (13) and tied for first in hits with Marco Hernández (19). Gavin’s dad, Larry, played for the Charlotte O’s in 1980 and again in 1983.
BURGER KING: In his first season at the Triple-A level and first season since 2017 (missed 2018 & 2019 to injuries and 2020 to the cancellation of the MiLB season), 3B Jake Burger has enjoyed a spectacular season. With a home run last night, he is now tied for first on the team in home runs (4) and tied for second in RBIs (10). He has recorded a hit in seven of his last eight games and he homered in three consecutive games from May 9–12. He entered the season ranked as the number 16 prospect in Chicago’s system by MLB.com.
HOME RUN KNIGHTS: Through 13 games this season, the Knights have now tallied 20 home runs on the year, which is tied for fourth in the Triple-A East. The Bulls are first with 28. 3B Jake Burger and C Seby Zavala are tied for the team lead in homers with four.
TO-KNIGHTS STARTING PITCHER: RHP Mike Wright (0–1, 3.60) will make his third start of the season tonight. Wright was once again solid over five innings of work in his last start back on May 13. In two starts this season, Wright has recorded 15 strikeouts over his two appearances (10 IP) and has allowed just four runs (two in each of his starts).
