Knights Charge Past Bulls, Win 6-4 Thursday
(DURHAM, NC) – The Charlotte Knights scored four runs over their final two innings to battle back and beat the Durham Bulls by a score of 6-4 on Thursday night in game three of their six-game series from Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The win was their fifth over their last
(DURHAM, NC) – The Charlotte Knights scored four runs over their final two innings to battle back and beat the Durham Bulls by a score of 6-4 on Thursday night in game three of their six-game series from Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The win was their fifth over their last seven games.
Down by a score of 4-2 in the eighth inning, the Knights charged back against their in-state rivals. After the Knights loaded the bases in the top of the eighth, first baseman Gavin Sheets drew a bases-loaded walk to pull the Knights to within one run, 4-3. Third baseman Tim Beckham then came up with the big hit of the game, a go-ahead, two-run single to give the Knights a 5-4 lead. It was a lead they would not relinquish.
The Knights tacked on one more run in the top of the ninth inning thanks to a sacrifice fly RBI from right fielder Luis González. That was all the Knights needed to get past the Bulls for the first time in the series.
Charlotte RHP Ryan Burr struck-out three batters in the ninth to earn his second save of the season.
Center fielder Brian Goodwin helped the Knights get on the scoreboard early in the game and connected on two solo home runs on the night. Goodwin, who now has three home runs on the season, finished the night 2-for-4 with the two home runs, two runs scored and two RBIs. Left fielder Blake Rutherford continued his hot hitting and recorded three hits on the night. Rutherford extended his hit streak to eight consecutive games.
RHP Tayron Guerrero (1-0, 12.60) earned the win out of the Charlotte bullpen. RHP Félix Paulino started for the Knights and struck-out eight batters over 5.1 innings. The 26-year-old right-hander allowed two runs on four hits and did not factor into the decision.
The Knights will continue their six-game series against the Bulls from Durham, NC on Friday with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. from Durham Bulls Athletic Park. RHP Jimmy Lambert (0-0, 12.71) is scheduled to take the mound for the Knights. The “Voice of the Charlotte Knights” Matt Swierad will have the call for all of the action on 730 The Game ESPN Charlotte and CharlotteKnights.com.