Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Final: Charlotte Knights 2, Lehigh Valley IronPigs 1

Finals: Knights 2, IronPigs 1 -- Javy Guerra came on to retire the IronPigs in order and lock up the Knights second win in a row.

As always, thanks for reading. More to come in a bit...

End of 8th: Knights 2, IronPigs 1 -- Thompson allowed a two-out home run to Jim Murphy, but recovered to fan Steve Susdorf to end the inning. Jay Guerra is warming. Thompson struck out four in two innings of work.

The Knights stranded Tyler Saladino at second.

End of 7th: Knights 2, IronPigs 0 -- Taylor Thompson allowed two hits in the innings, but struck out the side to get out of trouble. Black, Phipps and Tekotte went in order for the Knights.

End of 6th: Knights 2, IronPigs 0 -- After allowing a one-out single, Hanson got a double-play to cap his night. The Right-hander went six innings, scattered six hits, fanned five and didn't surrender a run. He threw 94 pitches and walked two.

After extending his hitting streak to nine games with a single up the middle, Carlos Sanchez came around to score from first on a single up the middle by Conor Gillaspie that was misplayed by Lehigh Valley CF Leandro Castro.

End of 5th: Knights 1, IronPigs 0 -- Knights 3B Conor Gillaspie made a diving play to his left to start an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play to help extend Tommy Hanson's shutout to five innings.

Despite drawing two walks in the inning, the Knights could not add to their one-run lead.

End of 4th: Knights 1, IronPigs 0 -- The IronPigs loaded the bases with two outs, but Hanson was able to get a ground ball to third off the bat of Sebastian Valle to end the inning. He's now at 68 pitches.

Josh Phegley took O'Sullivan deep to dead center for his first home run of the season. The ball traveled at least 420 feet. The HR was Phegley's first since he took Matt Garza deep on August 25, 2013.

End of 3rd: Knights 0, IronPigs 0 --  Knights starter Tommy Hanson recorded his fourth strikeout of the game in a clean inning of work. Charlotte then went one-two-three against Sean O'Sullivan for the second time tonight.

End of 2nd: Knights 0, IronPigs 0 -- Tommy Hanson fanned two and Josh Phegley threw out his second attempted base-stealer of the night.

Charlotte threatened when Andy Wilkins double to left with one out, but he was stranded on third when Denis Phipps laced a line drive right at the IronPigs' right fielder.

End of 1st: Knights 0, IronPigs 0 -- Tommy Hanson allowed back-to-back hits to begin the game, but Josh Phegley caught Matt Tolbert trying to steal second. Hanson then settled down to get a groundout and a strikeout to end the inning.

Phegley has thrown out nine of a possible 23 (39-percent) base stealers this season.

The Knights went down in order against Sean O'Sullivan.

Pregame:

Knights (11-19)
Gorkys Hernandez CF
Carlos Sanchez 2B
Conor Gillaspie 3B
Josh Phegley C
Andy Wilkins 1B
Dan Black DH
Denis Phipps RF
Blake Tekotte LF
Tyler Saladino SS
Pitcher: RHP Tommy Hanson (1-2, 4.73 ERA)

IronPigs (15-15)
Matt Tolbert LF
Tyler Henson RF
Maikel Franco 3B
Reid Brignac 2B
Jim Murphy 1B
Steve Susdorf DH
Leandro Castro CF
Sebastian Valle C
Ronny Cedeno SS
Pitcher: RHP Sean O’Sullivan (1-2, 4.50 ERA)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.TV / ESPN 730

Stat of the Day: Last night’s eight-run comeback win for the Knights tied the largest blown lead in IronPigs franchise history. Lehigh Valley also blew an eight-run lead to the Gwinnett Braves on 5/28/12.

Notes: If the trend holds, today’s start for Tommy Hanson should be his first without any kind of significant pitch limitations. In five innings at BB&T BallPark this season, the former Atlanta Braves ace is yet to allow a hit. … Last night’s win was the Knights first of the season when trailing after seven innings (1-13). … Carlos Sanchez has an eight-game hitting streak going. He’s also reached base in 21 straight games. Since April 26, the Knights second baseman is hitting .323 (10-for-31). … The Knights will play on national television on Thursday (CBS Sports Network). Felipe Paulino (with the Knights on a rehab assignment from the Chicago White Sox) has been announced as that day’s starting pitcher. … White Sox 3B Conor Gillaspie is also on rehab assignment with the Knights. In two games, the 26-year-old is 1-for-8 with a home run.

Knights Walkup Song of the Day: Deunte Heath -- The Man, by Aloe Blacc

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