KNIGHTS KNOTES — April 27, 2019
KNIGHT LIGHTS: The first place Charlotte Knights will continue their nine-game homestand tonight at BB&T Ballpark as they play game two of their three-game series against the Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates). Last night, the Knights opened the series with a 10–9 win. On Thursday, they played the finale of their three-game series against the Toledo Mud Hens (Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers). The Knights, who fell short in their attempt at a three-game series sweep on Thursday, are now 3–1 so far on the homestand. The Knights are now 9–2 at home this season.
ABOUT LAST KNIGHT: Second baseman Ryan Goins ripped a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the seventh inning to propel the first place Charlotte Knights to a thrilling 10–9 win over the Indianapolis Indians on Friday night from BB&T Ballpark in Uptown Charlotte. Down by a score of 7–2, Charlotte’s prolific offense went to work in the bottom of the sixth inning. Already the leaders in nearly every offensive category in the International League, the red-hot Knights put together a five-run sixth inning, highlighted by a two-run single from right fielder Charlie Tilson. The five-run frame helped the Knights even up the score at 7–7. One inning later, Goins came up big in a big spot. Down to their final out of the inning, Goins lifted a ball into the left-field gap, which scored left fielder Daniel Palka and designated hitter Zack Collins to give the Knights a 9–7 lead. The two-run lead was Charlotte’s first since their 2–0 first inning lead after Palka and Collins hit back-to-back home runs.
ROSTER MOVES: The Knights announced two roster moves before today’s game. RHP Zach Thompson was promoted to the Charlotte Knights from Double-A Birmingham, while OF Brandon Guyer was placed on the Injured List today. Guyer has appeared in 16 games with the Knights this season and is hitting .244 (10-for-41). Thompson began the 2019 season with the Knights and is 1–0 with a 5.06 ERA in four games (5.1 IP). He posted a 1.69 ERA in four games (5.1 IP) with the Barons before today’s promotion.
OFFENSIVE LEADERS: The Knights, who put up 10 runs last night, have now scored at least 10 in a game eight times this season (22 games). As a team, the Knights are second in the IL in batting average (.282), first in runs scored (152), first in hits (207), first in doubles (63), first in home runs (34), and first in RBIs (143).
GOING STREAKIN’: SS Alcides Escobar went 1-for-5 last night to extend his hit-streak to 11 consecutive games. During the 10-game streak, Escobar is hitting .408 (20-for-49) with six runs scored, six doubles, and seven RBIs. For the season, Escobar is hitting .392 (29-for-74), which is good for the third best mark in the International League this season.
CHARLES IN CHARGE: OF Charlie Tilson went 2-for-5 last night with three RBIs. He is now hitting .377 (29-for-77) in 19 games for the Knights. He is fifth in the IL in batting average, tied for first in the IL in hits (29) and tied for second in runs scored (17). Over his last nine games, he is hitting .400 (16-for-40).
GOINS, GOINS, GONE: INF Ryan Goins, who launched his second home run of the season on Thursday, ripped a two-out, two-run double last night to lead the Knights to a thrilling 10–9 win. Over his last seven games, Goins is hitting .348 (8-for-23) with five runs scored, one home run, and seven RBIs. In 16 games this season, he is hitting .309 (17-for-55) on the season.
ZACK ATTACK: Catcher Zack Collins launched his sixth home run of the season last night. He is tied for fourth in the IL in home runs (6), tied for first in the IL in RBIs (20), and is fifth in slugging % (.661). 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: LHP Jordan Guerrero (1–1, 6.87) will make his fifth start of the season this afternoon. Last season, Guerrero went 7–2 with a 3.46 ERA in 12 starts for the Knights (65.0 IP). He made his final start of the 2018 season on August 31, 2018 against Gwinnett and struck-out nine batters over six solid innings to earn his seventh and final win of the season with the team.
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 eight of his appearances this season (9.0 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.
