Knights Knotes — May 2, 2014
CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS (10–16, 3rd, 2014) (65–78, 3rd South — 2013)
@ BUFFALO BISONS (14–10, 2nd, 2014) (74–70, 3rd North — 2013)
TODAY’S PROBABLES
CHA RHP Erik Johnson (NR w/CHA) @ BUF LHP Sean Nolin (2–0, 1.96)
Friday, May 2, 2014
Game 29 of 144
Coca-Cola Field ~ 7:05 PM
KNIGHTS STARTER: RHP Erik Johnson, who is ranked by Baseball America as the 2nd best prospect in the White Sox system, will make his 2014 Charlotte Knights debut tonight. Johnson made five starts for the Chicago White Sox this season before being optioned down to Charlotte on April 26. He appeared in 23.2 innings with the White Sox and allowed 27 hits, 17 earned runs, 15 walks, while striking out18 batters. Johnson started 10 games for the Knights in 2013 and posted a 4–1 record with a 1.57 ERA over 57.1 IP. The Mountain View, California native averaged close to one strikeout per inning in 2013 totaling 57 Ks with the Knights. The 2013 season was an impressive year all around as Johnson started in Double-A with Birmingham and finished up in Chicago. He was 8–2 with a 2.23 ERA in 14 starts for the Barons. Johnson is a product of the University of California at Berkeley.
LAST KNIGHTS GAME: A two-run double by Kevin Pillar in the third inning proved to be enough for the Buffalo Bisons to get by the Charlotte Knights 6–1 on Thursday in the opening game of the four-game series from Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo, NY. It was Charlotte’s third consecutive loss of the season. The Knights have now had a losing streak of at least three games on three occasions this season. The Bisons added four insurance runs along the way, including three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Charlotte starter Tommy Hanson (1–2, 4.73) allowed three runs on five hits over 4.1 innings and was charged with the loss. Hanson, who was making just his third start of the season for the Knights, walked five batters and threw 87 pitches. He did not allow a run or a hit in his last outing, which was back on April 25 at BB&T Ballpark (five innings). Buffalo starter Liam Hendriks (4–0, 1.26) was sharp on the mound through seven innings for the win. Hendriks gave up one run on six hits, while striking out five batters. Relievers Bobby Korecky and Ryan Tepera each tossed a scoreless inning out of the bullpen.
HR #3 FOR DAVIDSON: Third baseman Matt Davidson started the month of May with a bang — a solo home run in the fourth inning of last night’s game — providing the Knights with their only offense of the night. It was his third home run of the season and third over his last 10 games. He began the year by not homering in his first 15 contests. Davidson, who is ranked by Baseball America as the fourth-best prospect in the White Sox system, entered this season with 80 career home runs over five Minor League seasons. He also hit three home runs in 31 games for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season.
THE HEATH IS ON: RHP Deunte Heath (1–0, 1.53) has been sharp on the mound for the Knights this season. The Georgia native was solid again yesterday and extended his scoreless innings streak to 12.0 IP after 1.1 scoreless frames last night. He has not allowed a run since April 11 (3 R in 2 IP). Heath came on in relief of Tommy Hanson in the fifth inning and induced an inning-ending double play. He also pitched the sixth inning. Heath was the scheduled start for Charlotte on Tuesday, before rain postponed the game. He made one start for the Knights on 4/23 at BB&T Ballpark and earned the win after five scoreless innings. For his Knights career, Heath owns an 11–11 record with a 3.06 ERA in 232.1 IP. His 3.06 Knights career ERA is tied for fourth all-time in franchise history (Steve Trachsel). He also moved into sole possession of fifth place on the Knights all-time games pitched list by appearing in his 103rd career Knights game — passing Arnie Munoz and Chad Bradford (105). Next up is Ehren Wassermann (113).
MORE CAREER PITCHING KNOTES (ACTIVE): RHP Dylan Axelrod owns the lowest ERA in Knights franchise history. Overall, in 215.1 innings pitched, Axelrod is 14–9 with a 2.76 ERA. Second on the list is John Salles (2.83), while third on the list is LHP Charlie Leesman, who now owns a 2.89 ERA.
