Knights Fall to RailRiders 3-2 Sunday

(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - RHP Lucas Giolito was solid over seven innings, and Ronald Bueno homered, but the Charlotte Knights dropped the finale of their three-game series against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders by a score of 3-2 on Sunday from BB&T Ballpark in Uptown Charlotte in front of 9,557 fans.

Giolito (4-10, 4.95) started for the Knights and gave up three runs on five hits over seven innings. Giolito, who tossed seven innings for his second consecutive start, was saddled with the loss. Relievers Matt Purke (1.1 IP) and Brandon Brennan (0.2 IP) held the RailRiders scoreless over the final two innings.

Bueno led the Knights with a solo home run in the sixth inning to break up a no-hit bid by the RailRiders. The home run was his fifth of the season. Reliever Jose Pena allowed the long ball to Bueno.

The Knights tacked on one more run in the seventh inning on a Grant Green RBI single. The Knights tallied a total of three hits on the night.

LHP Nestor Cortes was promoted to the RailRiders before the game and got the start for the club in place of LHP Dietrich Enns, who was traded to the Minnesota Twins earlier in the day. Cortes did not allow a run or a hit over 4.2 innings pitched, but did not factor in the decision as he left in the fifth frame.

RailRiders LHP Joe Mantiply (5-4, 3.10) earned the win out of the RailRiders bullpen. He gave up one unearned run over two innings. RHP Giovanny Gallegos notched his third save after a perfect ninth inning in which he fanned all three batters.

The Knights will have an off day on Monday before heading to Durham, NC to open a three-game series against the Durham Bulls on Tuesday. Pre-game radio coverage will begin at 6:50 p.m. on ESPN Charlotte (730 AM) and CharlotteKnights.com on Tuesday from the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The "Voice of the Charlotte Knights" Matt Swierad will have the call for all of the action.