Knights Fall to Bulls 9-5 on Saturday Night
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) – Center fielder Mikie Mahtook launched two home runs, but the Charlotte Knights dropped game five of the six-game series against the Durham Bulls on Saturday night by a score of 9-5 from Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte. Mahtook led the Knights with three hits on Saturday.
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) – Center fielder Mikie Mahtook launched two home runs, but the Charlotte Knights dropped game five of the six-game series against the Durham Bulls on Saturday night by a score of 9-5 from Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte. Mahtook led the Knights with three hits on Saturday.
Adam Engel hits his first home run of his rehab assignment as he sneaks it over the wall in left field to give the Knights the early 1-0 lead over Durham in the first inning!#FunKnights | #ArmorUp pic.twitter.com/YLAsUyoaxp
— Charlotte Knights (@KnightsBaseball) September 18, 2021
The Knights jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning thanks to back-to-back-to-back home runs. Chicago White Sox outfielder Adam Engel, currently on a major league rehab assignment, started the scoring with a solo home run. Mahtook then followed with a solo home run for his team-high 23rd of the season. The home run party continued as right fielder Micker Adolfo launched a solo homer for his ninth of the season, giving the Knights three consecutive home runs in the first frame.
AND IF TWO IS GOOD, THREE IS BETTER!! BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK HOME RUNS FOR THE KNIGHTS!!
— Charlotte Knights (@KnightsBaseball) September 18, 2021
We lead 3-0 early in the first inning and we still aren’t done! #FunKnights | #ArmorUp pic.twitter.com/xP5zuYyPhU
Charlotte’s 3-0 lead lasted until the top of the third inning when the Bulls battled back to score two runs against LHP John Parke, who was solid over five innings on Saturday night. Parke allowed just two runs over five innings, but did not factor in the decision.
The Knights added a run in the bottom of the fourth inning thanks to an RBI single by Rubén Tejada. With the Knights now ahead by a score of 4-2, the Bulls began to mount a comeback in the sixth inning.
Esteban Quiroz launched a three-run home run off Charlotte reliever Matt Foster (0-2, 4.30) to give the Bulls a 5-4 lead and ultimately the win. Foster was charged with the loss. David Freitas added a two-run home run in the seventh for the Bulls and the team scored seven of nine runs over the final four innings of the game.
In the eighth inning, Mahtook added his second home run of the game, a solo shot. Mahtook leads the Knights with 24 home runs on the season.
The Knights will conclude the 2021 regular season and the six-game series against the Bulls on Sunday night from Truist Field with first pitch set for 6:05 p.m. The Voice of the Knights Matt Swierad and Knights broadcaster Mike Pacheco will have the call for all of the action on 730 The Game ESPN Charlotte and www.CharlotteKnights.com. The game will also be televised live on My 12 WMYT starting at 6:00 p.m.