Thursday, April 24, 2014

Final: Charlotte Knights 4, Durham Bulls 3

By Seth Lakso, Charlotte Observer Correspondent

Final: Knights 4, Bulls 3 -- With one out and a Durham runner on first, Carlos Sanchez made a highlight-reel catch heading towards the Charlotte bullpen. He then bounced back to his feet and doubled off runner as he attempted to tag and advance to second.

End of 8: Knights 4, Bulls 3 -- The Bulls sent eight batters to the plate and pushed two runs across in the top of the eighth without the benefit of a hit. Donnie Veal walked the first three batters of the inning before being replaced by David Purcey.

Runs scored on a Purcey wild pitch and a fielder's choice. Tyler Saladino made a nice play on a broken-bat grounder up the middle to end the inning.

In the bottom half of the inning, Jared Mitchell walked and stole second, but was stranded there.

Tonight's attendance was announced at: 10,449 (a new sellout and a new BB&T Ballpark record)

End of 7: Knights 4, Bulls 1 -- Donnie Veal hit the first batter he faced, but recovered to strikeout two in a scoreless frame. The Knights then went down in order. 

End of 6: Knights 4, Bulls 1 -- Charlotte got to Matt Andriese for three more runs in the sixth. Andriese hit Jared Mitchell to begin the inning. Following a single by Gorkys Hernandez, Carlos Sanchez laid down a perfect bunt. Andriese's throw to first was wild and it allowed Mitchell to score and left Hernandez on third and Sanchez on second with no outs. 

Andy Wilkins picked up his second RBI of the night with a sacrifice fly to center. Sanchez then came in to score on a wild pitch. 

Frank De Los Santos is done for the night. He tosses three scoreless innings (one hit) and struck out four. Donnie Veal is coming on to pitch for the Knights. 

End of 5: Knights 1, Bulls 1 -- Frank De Los Santos, who pitched in 26 games for the Bulls last season, worked around a one-out Ray Olmedo single to hold Durham scoreless, while Matt Andriese put together another one-two-three inning. He's now retired seven Knights in a row. 

End of 4: Knights 1, Bulls 1 -- Frank De Los Santos struck out two on his way to a one-two-three inning. Matt Andriese then sent the Knights down in order for the second time tonight. 

End of 3: Knights 1, Bulls 1 -- Nothing doing for either team. Mike Fontenot doubled with one out but was stranded at second. Gorkys Hernandez worked a one-out walk, but was erased on a Carlos Sanchez double-play ball. 

Ryan Kussmaul is done after 40 pitches. He allowed two hits, one run and walked a batter. All-in-all, not bad for a last minute start. LHP Frank De Los Santos is coming on to start the fourth. 

End of 2: Knights 1, Bulls 1 -- Wilson Betemit greeted Ryan Kussmaul with a solo home run to begin the second. The Knights then went one-two-three. 

End of 1: Knights 1, Bulls 0 -- Ryan Kussmaul, who started today in place of Scott Carroll, sent the Bulls down in order. In the bottom half of the inning, Gorky Hernadez got a bit greedy trying to stretch a leadoff double down the right field line into a triple and was thrown out. However, the Knights still managed to score when Andy Wilkins doubled in Carlos Sanchez from first. 

Over his last five games, Wilkins is 5 for 18 (.278) with two doubles, two home runs and six runs knocked in. 

Knights (7-13)
Gorkys Hernandez CF
Carlos Sanchez 2B
Andy Wilkins 1B
Matt Davidson 3B
Dan Black DH
Hector Gimenez C
Blake Tekotte RF
Tyler Saladino SS
Jared Mitchell LF
Pitching: RHP Ryan Kussmaul (0-2, 6.97)

Bulls (15-6)
Mike Fontenot 2B
Justin Christian LF
Cole Figueroa SS
Wilson Betemit DH
Jerry Sands RF
Vince Belnome 1B
Mikie Mahtook CF
Ray Olmedo 3B
Eddy Rodriguez C

Pitching: RHP Matt Andriese (1-1, 3.79)

Game time: 7:05 

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV / ESPN 730

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