Monday, May 12, 2014

Final: Buffalo Bisons 6, Charlotte Knights 5

Final: Knights 5, Bisons 6 -- Charlotte loaded the bases with two outs, bringing Carlos Sanchez to the plate for one last chance at the cycle, but he filed to right to end the game. Matt Davidson got the inning started with his third hit of the afternoon.

End of 8th: Knights 5, Bisons 6 -- For the second consecutive day Jared Goedert has given the Bisons a late lead with a home run. This time he took Javy Guerra deep. On Sunday, the Bisons 3B hit two long balls off Tommy Hanson, including a game-deciding three-run shot in the sixth. The HR was the first allowed this season by Guerra.

Infante has completely quieted the Knights in his two innings of work. Six up and six down. Carlos Sanchez is due up sixth next inning, so it's going to take some heroics from the Knights to give him another shot at the cycle.

End of 7th: Knights 5, Bisons 4 -- Javy Guerra tossed a clean seventh. Carlos Sanchez came up against Gregory Infante with two outs and laced a ball just foul down the right field line before eventually striking out on a 96 mph fastball up and away. Sanchez, who needs a HR for the cycle, has not hit one since May 4th, 2012.

Shawn Hill's line: 6 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 5 K -- 88 pitches (54 strikes).

End of 6th: Knights 5, Bisons 4 -- Johnson finished his afternoon on a high note by retiring the final seven batters he faced. Javy Guerra looks to be coming on to pitch the 7th.

Erik Johnson's line: 6 IP 9 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 7 K's -- 100 pitches (57 strikes).

Matt Davidson led off with a double to left center, his second hit of the game, but was thrown out trying to steal third. Replays show that the umpire missed the call. Following a walk to Dan Black, Alex Liddi bounced into a double play to end the inning.

End of 5th: Knights 5, Bisons 4 -- Erik Johnson struck out the side to post his second one-two-three inning. Charlotte then took its first lead of the game after Carlos Sanchez tripled to lead off the inning and came in to score on a double-play ball off the bat of Josh Phegley.

Sanchez so far today: Single, double, triple -- in that order. He has three home runs in his Minor League career and none since 2012.

End of 4th: Knights 4, Bisons 4 --  Darin Mastroianni singled with one out. Johnson then got Anthony Gose to pop to center. With Kevin Pillar at the plate, Mastroianni stole second but Pillar was called for interference when his followthrough caught Phegley in the back, ending the inning.

Liddi, Mitchell and Tekotte went down in order.

End of 3rd: Knights 4, Bisons 4 -- Kevin Pillar led off the top of the third with a double and came in to score on a single off the bat of Ryan Goins.

Just like they did in the second inning, the Knights used the long ball to get back in the game. This time Jordan Danks did the honors, sending one out to the left center bleachers. Carlos Sanches (2-for-2) had doubled to get the inning started.

End of 2nd: Knights 2, Bisons 3 -- Dan Johnson began the inning with a home run to right that is easily the furthest ever hit at BB&T BallPark. It left the stadium and landed somewhere on Mint Street. Probably surprised a driver or two on their way to lunch.

A two-run home run by Alex Liddi, his third of the season, got the Knights right back in it against Buffalo starter Shawn Hill.

End of 1st: Knights 0, Bisons 0 -- Erik Johnson tossed a one-two-three first inning. He was helped out by 1B Andy Wilkins, who made a diving stop to save extra bases.

In the bottom half, Carlos Sanchez singled with one out and stole second with Jordan Danks at the plate, but never advanced any further.

Pregame: 

Knights (13-23)
Blake Tekotte RF
Carlos Sanchez 2B
Jordan Danks CF
Josh Phegley C
Andy Wilkins DH
Matt Davidson 3B
Dan Black DH
Alex Liddi SS
Jared Mitchell LF
Pitching: RHP Erik Johnson (0-0, 1.38)

Bisons (20-14)
Darin Mastroianni CF
Anthony Gose RF
Kevin Pillar LF
Dan Johnson DH
Matt Tuiasosopo 1B
Jared Goedert 3B
Ryan Goins 2B
Jack Murphy C
Munenori Kawasaki SS
Pitching: RHP Liam Hendricks (4-0, 1.01)

Game time: 12:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.tv / ESPN 730

Stat of the Day: Knights catcher Josh Phegley has three home runs this home stand. Before returning to BB&T, he hadn't hit any this season.

Notes: Knights LHP Charlie Leesman was named the International League's Pitcher of the Week today following an eight-inning nine-strikeout performance against Buffalo on Friday. He allowed juts four hits and picked up his first win of the season, while lowering his ERA to 1.70. 

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