Back-to-back home runs by Soto and Davidson lead Knights to walk-off win

The Charlotte Knights used back-to-back home runs by Neftali Soto and Matt Davidson to begin the bottom of the ninth inning to earn a 8-7 walk-off win over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders in the opening game of a four-game series in front of 9,089 at BB&T Ballpark on Thursday.

Soto stepped to the plate to lead off the ninth against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre left-hander Tyler Webb (0-2) and sent a 2-1 fastball rocketing into the left-field bleachers to tie the game at 7.

Two pitches later, Davidson stayed back on a curveball and launched his team-leading fifth home run of the season and was subsequently mobbed at the plate by his teammates. 

Davidson's long ball came to rest just a few rows back of Soto’s. 

After falling behind 6-0 in Kyle Drabek’s BB&T Ballpark debut, the Knights (13-7) rallied for three runs in the fourth inning, two more in the fifth, and then tied the game at 6-6 in the seventh on a double off the bat of Dan Black that brought home Trayce Thompson, who had tripled earlier in the frame.

The RailRiders (10-12) pushed home the go-ahead run on a single up the middle in the top of the ninth inning off Eric Surkamp (2-0). On the play, Cole Figueroa used a nice slide to avoid Kevan Smith's attempted tag at the plate. 

The walk-off win was the Knights’ second in four games. 

Quote

“We’re just pretty explosive. Everyone’s contributing. It’s not like it’s just one part of the lineup that’s getting all the runs. Everyone in this lineup has experience and is a good hitter, so we’re pretty lethal top to bottom.” – Knights’ third baseman Matt Davidson, when asked how the Knights have been able to stay in almost every game this season.

Worth mentioning

With two more hits on Thursday, Charlotte Knights’ designated hitter Dan Black has now reached base in 19-straight games (dating back to last season). Black has also hit in 11-straight contests. He entered Thursday leading the International League in on-base percentage (.471) and slugging percentage (.714). ... White Sox reliever Javy Guerra tossed a scoreless seventh inning with one walk and one strikeout in his second MLB rehab appearance with the Knights. … With his 2-for-4 performance on Thursday night, Charlotte second baseman Carlos Sanchez (268) is now just one hit shy of 10^th place all-time on the Knights’ hits list (Lou Lucca has 269). Despite playing with the White Sox for the first week of the season, Sanchez’ 26 hits are tied for the third-most in the IL. ... The Knights improved to 4-4 this season when trailing after five innings. ... Friday’s game will be the first of the season where pitchers (with a called ball) and batters (with a called strike) will be penalized for pitch timer violations.

What's next?

The Knights will play the second game of their four-game series with the RailRiders at BB&T Ballpark on Friday at 7:05 p.m. RHP Shawn Haviland (0-1, 3.45) will take the mound for the Knights across from LHP Matt Tracy (0-0, 6.00).

Game 20 preview: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at Charlotte Knights

Here are the lineups:

RailRiders (10-11)

Jose Pirela 3B

Slade Heathcott CF
Rob Refsnyder 2B
Kyle Roller 1B
Tyler Austin RF
Ramon Flores DH
Austin Romine C

Ben Gamel LF
Cole Figueroa SS

Pitching: RHP Bryan Mitchell (1-2, 2.11)

Knights (12-7)

Leury Garcia SS

Carlos Sanchez 2B

Neftali Soto 1B

Matt Davidson 3B
Tryace Thompson CF

Dan Black DH
Engel Beltre RF
Kevan Smith C
Jason Coats LF

Pitching: RHP Kyle Drabek (0-0, 0.00)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.com / ESPN 730 

----------------------------------------------------------

Series Probables:

Friday, 7:05 p.m.

CHA: RHP Shawn Haviland (0-1, 3.45)
S/W-B: LHP Matt Tracy (0-0, 6.00)

Saturday 7:05 p.m.

CHA: RHP Chris Beck (0-1, 5.31)

S/W-B: RHP Jaron Long (0-1, 6.10)

Sunday 2:05 p.m.

CHA: RHP Brad Penny (1-2, 6.08)
S/W-B: LHP Eric Wooten (0-3, 5.09)

Head to head: This is the first of two series (seven games) between the Knights and RailRiders this season. 

Matt Davidson and Erik Johnson shine in Knights' 10-4 win over Toledo

Less than 24 hours removed from one of their worst offensive performances of the season, the Charlotte Knights slugged their way to a 10-4 win over the Toledo Mud Hens in front of 9,150 at BB&T Ballpark on Wednesday afternoon.

The victory, which secured the Knights (12-7) second-straight series win, came in large part thanks to a career afternoon from designated hitter Matt Davidson, who went 3-for-5 with a home run and six runs knocked in.

Davidson, who hit in the four-hole on Wednesday, highlighted a big day from each of the Knights’ top four batters -- Leury Garcia (2 for 5), Carlos Sanchez (2 for 4, BB), Neftali Soto (3 for 4, BB) -- who combined to go 10-for-18 with nine runs batted in and nine runs scored.

The strong day at the plate for Charlotte came after Toledo pitching held the Knights to four hits in a 6-2 loss on Tuesday.

Erik Johnson (3-1) made his third start of the season for the Knights and cruised through his first five innings of work, holding the Mud Hens (9-10) scoreless on two hits, while tying his season-high for strikeouts, with six.

Johnson ran into trouble in the sixth inning and wound up allowing four runs (three earned) to make his final line (5.2IP, 4H, 4R (3ER), 2BB, 6Ks) a bit misrepresentative of how well he actually pitched.

  

Both Johnson (who posted a career-worst 6.73 ERA in 2013) and Davidson (who hit just .199) entered last season as prime candidates to make an impact with the Chicago White Sox and instead put together disappointing seasons.

So far this season, both appear to be right on track.

Quote

“I think, mentally, (Johnson’s) come back better this year. We’ve talked a lot because we both were prospects going into last year and we were supposed to be in the big leagues. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves and we kind of got in our heads and it obviously effected us and that showed on the field. I think that the big thing for him is that he's slowed down, relaxed, and is enjoying the game again.” – Knights’ third baseman Matt Davidson on the difference he’s seen in Erik Johnson this season.

Worth mentioning

A day after going a disappointing 1-for-8 as a team with runners in scoring position, the Knights turned things around, posting a 7-for-12 mark.  ... With his 3-for-5 performance on Wednesday, Davidson upped his batting average to .261. The six runs batted in marked a career high. The home run was his fourth of the season, tying him with Dan Black for the most on the Knights. … Black’s run-scoring single in the third inning made it so the first baseman has now reached base in 18-straight games (dating back to last season). ... Of the announced 9,150 at BB&T Ballpark on Wednesday afternoon, the vast majority were local middle school students.

What's next?

The Knights will begin a four-game series with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at BB&T Ballpark on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. RHP Kyle Drabek (0-0, 0.00) will make his BB&T Ballpark debut for Charlotte across from RHP Bryan Mitchell (1-2, 2.11).

Game 19 preview: Knights RHP Erik Johnson looks to continue excellent start

Here are the lineups:

Mud Hens (9-9)

Daniel Fields CF

Dixon Machado SS
Tyler Collins RF
Mike Hessman 1B
Jason Krizan 2B
Jefry Marte 3B
Steven Moya DH

Bryan Holaday C
Xavier Avery LF

Pitching: RHP Thad Weber (2-1, 5.62)

Knights (11-7)

Leury Garcia SS

Carlos Sanchez 2B

Neftali Soto 1B

Matt Davidson DH
Tryace Thompson CF

Dan Black 1B
Jason Coats LF

Jeremy Dowdy C
Jared Mitchell RF

Pitching: RHP Erik Johnson (2-1, 0.75)

Game time: 11:05 a.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.com / ESPN 730 

No comeback on Tuesday for Charlotte Knights, who fall 6-2 to Toledo

The Charlotte Knights fell 6-2 to the Toledo Mud Hens in front of 9,047 at BB&T Ballpark on Tuesday night to even their three-game series at one-game apiece.

Mud Hens’ starter Tim Melville (1-2) held the Knights offense scoreless on one hit over six innings of work to record his first-career Class AAA win. The right-hander walked four and struck out five.

The Knights, who went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position, finished the game with a season-low four hits.

Veteran right-hander Brad Penny (1-2) returned from the disabled list to make his third start of the season for the Knights. He allowed an unearned run and four hits over four innings of work.

Penny -- who induced seven ground-ball outs on Tuesday -- was placed on the DL back on April 15 with an undisclosed injury.

Toledo, which carried a 3-0 lead into the sixth inning – broke the game open against Knights’ reliever Arcenio Leon, scoring three runs over his 1 2/3 innings of work to take a 6-0 edge into the bottom of the seventh.

Dan Black, who tied Monday's game (that was later won in the 10th inning thanks to a Jason Coats walk-off single) with a ninth-inning home run, continued to swing a hot bat when he knocked in Trayce Thompson from first base with a double to right with no outs in the seventh off Mud Hens’ reliever Rafael Dolis.

Black would take third on a Kevan Smith ground out and, following a Jared Mitchell walk, come in to score on a Leury Garcia single.

After failing to score in the eighth, the Knights brought the tying run to the on-deck circle in the bottom of the ninth, but ultimately came up short in their third comeback attempt in as many games.

With his 2-for-3 performance on Tuesday night, Black has now reached base in 17-straight games (dating back to last season) with the Knights. He is now batting a team-leading .368 on the season despite limited playing time early in the year.

Worth mentioning

White Sox right-hander Javy Guerra (with Knights on a MLB rehab assignment) allowed two runs on three hits in an inning of relief. He threw 24 pitches (14 for strikes) and struck out one. ... Maikel Cleto turned in a scoreless 2 1/3 innings of relief and has now not allowed a run in his last 19 2/3 innings of work dating back to last season. … The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Knights. Their season-long winning streak is four games (April 15-18). … Three members of the AHL Charlotte Checkers -- John Muse, Zach Boychuk and Dennis Robertson -- took batting practice at BB&T Ballpark prior to Tuesday’s game. …Continued protests over the death of Freddie Gray caused the postponement of the White Sox (the parent club of the Knights) – Orioles game in Baltimore on Tuesday. The White Sox and Orioles will resume their disrupted series Wednesday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. in a contest that is closed to the public.

Quotes

“(Melville) was just mixing his pitches well and he had us off balance and found a way to get the ball passed us at the plate. We’ll come back out here tomorrow and get some hits.” – Knights first baseman Dan Black.

"Everything about (Cleto's) game. He’s repeating his delivery. He’s staying compact, and as a result of that he’s commanding the baseball and he’s mixing up all his pitches. He’s got a great arm to go with all that, so he’s just kind of harnessed his game.” – Knights' manager Joel Skinner on the difference he’s seen in RHP Maikel Cleto this season.

“(Black’s) doing a great job. Like we tell all our guys, you need to take advantage of your opportunities and he’s getting an opportunity because of some injuries that have opened some things up and he’s taking advantage. It’s good to see.” – Skinner on Dan Black’s recent performance.

“He hasn’t pitched in two weeks and was able to get a couple good side (sessions) in. The biggest thing tonight was that (Penny) felt fine physically.” – Skinner on Brad Penny’s first start since April 14.

What's next?

The Knights and Mud Hens will play the final game of their three-game series at BB&T Ballpark on Wednesday at 11:05 a.m. Erik Johnson (2-1, 0.75) will look to continue his stellar stat this season for the Knights across from Thad Weber (2-1, 5.63). 

Game 18 preview: Brad Penny returns to mound for Charlotte Knights

Here are the lineups:

Mud Hens (8-9)

Daniel Fields CF

Dixon Machado SS
Tyler Collins LF
Mike Hessman DH
Jason Krizan 2B
Jefry Marte 3B
Steven Moya RF

Manny Pina C
Jordan Lennerton 1B

Pitching: RHP Tim Melville (0-2, 5.28)

Knights (11-6)

Leury Garcia SS

Carlos Sanchez 2B

Neftali Soto 1B

Matt Davidson 3B
Tryace Thompson CF

Dan Black DH
Jason Coats LF

Kevan Smith C
Jared Mitchell RF

Pitching: RHP Brad Penny (1-1, 8.68)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.com / ESPN 730 

Notes: Jason Coats made his BB&T Ballpark debut a memorable one for the Charlotte Knights on Monday, cracking a two-out walk-off run-scoring single down the left-field line to secure his team a 7-6 10th-inning win over the Toledo Mud Hens. ... The Knights have won three in a row and seven of their last 10 and currently sit 1.5 games ahead of Norfolk for first place in the IL South Division. ... Tonight's starter Brad Penny was placed on the DL back on April 15 with an undisclosed injury. This will be his third start of the season. He picked up his lone win on Opening Night, where he allowed three runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings of work in a 6-3 Knights' win over the Tides. ... Dan Black has reached base in all 11 games he's appeared in this season and his last 16 overall. He is now hitting .343 (12-for-35) with a team-high four home runs. ... Three members of the AHL Charlotte Checkers -- John Muse, Zach Boychuk and Dennis Robertson -- took batting practice at BB&T Ballpark prior to this afternoon's game. 

Jason Coats helps Knights walk off in his BB&T Ballpark debut

Jason Coats made his BB&T Ballpark debut a memorable one for the Charlotte Knights, cracking a two-out walk-off run-scoring single down the left-field line to secure his team a 7-6 10^th-inning win over the Toledo Mud Hens on Monday in front of 7,089.

The run was the second of the inning for Charlotte, which had tied the game two batters earlier when Trayce Thompson tripled home Jared Mitchell off Toledo right-hander Melvin Mercedes (0-1).

The Knights (11-6) entered the ninth inning trailing by a run before Dan Black tied the game with a towering leadoff home run to force the extra frame.

Toledo (8-9) rallied to score a run on a two-out Daniel Fields’ RBI-single off Jarrett Casey (2-0) in the following inning to set the stage for Coats (3 for 5, 3 RBI), who joined the Knights on April 23 from the Birmingham Barons, where he was hitting .340 over 12 games.

The Mud Hens touched up Knights’ starter and White Sox No. 11 overall prospect Chris Beck for the game’s first five runs over the first four innings.

Coats got the Charlotte comeback started when he knocked in two runs with a bases-loaded single in the fourth inning.

Leury Garcia made it a 5-4 game in the seventh inning with a two-run single of his own that marked the end of the night for Mud Hens’ starter Kyle Ryan.

Monday marked the second time in as many games that the Knights rallied back to steal a game late. On Sunday, a Kevan Smith home run in the ninth inning was the difference in the team's 4-3 win at Norfolk. 

The Knights are now hitting an International-League best .276 as a team. 

Quote

"I was trying to look for something up in the zone and (Mercedes) got me off balance a bit with the slider, but I was able to get enough (of the) barrel on it to sneak it by their third baseman.” - Knights LF Jason Coats on his game-winning hit.

Worth mentioning

Eric Surkamp made his first appearance with the Knights since clearing waivers and pitched like a man with something to prove, striking out four over 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.  ... With his 1-for-2, 3BB performance on Monday night, Charlotte first baseman Dan Black has now reached base in 16-straight games (dating back to last season). ... Carlos Sanchez (0 for 5) struck out to lead off the 10^th inning to put an end to his league-best 14-game hitting streak. ... Beck turned in a strange final line. The right-hander allowed a season-worst nine hits, but also struck out a season-high seven over 4 2/3 innings of work. … The win was the Knights’ third in a row. Their 11-6 start to the season is their best through 17 games since they came out of the shoot 12-5 in 2006. … Violent protests over the death of Freddie Gray caused the postponement of the White Sox (the parent club of the Knights) – Orioles game in Baltimore on Monday.

What's next?

The Knights and Mud Hens will play Game 2 of their three-game series at BB&T Ballpark on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Veteran righthander Brad Penny (1-1, 8.68) will make his return from the disabled list and take the ball for the Knights across from Tim Melville (0-2, 5.28).

Game 17 preview: Toledo Mud Hens at Charlotte Knights

Here are the lineups:

Mud Hens (8-8)

Daniel Fields CF

Dixon Machado SS
Steven Moya RF

Jefry Marte 3B

Tyler Collins LF

Mike Hessman DH

Jason Krizan 1B

Josh Wilson 2B

Bryan Holaday C

Pitching: LHP Kyle Ryan (0-2, 4.02)

Knights (10-6)

Leury Garcia RF

Carlos Sanchez 2B

Neftali Soto DH

Matt Davidson 3B
Tryace Thompson CF

Dan Black 1B
Jason Coats LF

Kevan Smith C
Drew Garcia SS

Pitching: RHP Chris Beck (0-1, 4.02)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MiLB.com / ESPN 730 

Notes: The Knights return to BB&T Ballpark 1.5 games ahead of Norfolk for first place in the IL South Division. The 10-6 start to the year is the best by the Knights through their first 16 games since they started 11-5 in 2006. ... Carlos Sanchez (.367) currently ranks fifth in the IL in batting average, while Trayce Thompson (.344) ranks 10th. ... RHP Javy Guerra, who appeared in three games (1.2 IP) with the Chicago White Sox this season, will begin a Major League Rehab assignment with the Charlotte Knights starting tonight. Guerra was placed on Chicago’s 15-day disabled list on April 20 (retroactive to April 13) with right shoulder inflammation. In other roster moves, RHP Daniel Webb was optioned back to Charlotte after being promoted to the White Sox on Sunday, RHP Tyler Barnette was assigned to Double-A Birmingham, and LHP Eric Surkamp was outrighted to Charlotte by Chicago after he cleared waivers. Surkamp was designated for assignment by the White Sox on Sunday. Charlotte’s roster is now at 23 active players.

Charlotte Knights-Toledo Mud Hens probables and notes

Knights vs. Mud Hens @ BB&T Ballpark 

Monday, 7:05 p.m.

CHA: RHP Chris Beck (0-1, 4.02)
TOL: LHP Kyle Ryan (0-2, 4.02)

Tuesday 7:05 p.m.

CHA: TBA (Brad Penny)

TOL: RHP Tim Melville (0-2, 5.28)

Wednesday 11:05 a.m.

CHA: RHP Erik Johnson (2-1, 0.75)
TOL: RHP Thad Weber (2-1, 5.63)

Head to head: This is the first of three series (nine games) between the Knights and Mud Hens this season. 

Briefly: Both Trayce Thompson and Kevan Smith homered in the Knights' 4-3 win over the Norfolk Tides on Sunday to help the team return to Charlotte in first place in the South Division standings (1.5 games ahead of the Tides). ... Knights' second baseman Carlos Sanchez, who is the reigning International League Player of the Week (for the period of April 13-19), has hits in 14-straight games (dating back to last season) after going 1-for-5 on Sunday. His hit-streak is the longest current streak in the IL this season. He entered the day hitting a team-high .382 (4th in the IL). ... RHP Maikel Cleto earned his first win of the season on Friday. The 25-year-old has not allowed a run this season in five games (9.2 IP) and dating back to July 18, 2014, he has not allowed a run over his last 17.1 IP with the Knights. He has allowed just six hits and has fanned 23 batters over that span. ... RHP Jairo Asencio notched his IL-leading sixth save of the season on Sunday after a scoreless ninth inning for the Knights. In seven games this season, Asencio is sporting a 2.25 ERA (8.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 9 SO). Asencio led the IL in saves (28) while he was a member of the Tides in 2013. ... RHP Scott Carroll had his contract purchased by the White Sox on Sunday when Chicago RHP Matt Albers was placed on the DL. Carroll was 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA in three starts for the Knights this season. In order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster, Chicago designated LHP Eric Surkamp for assignment. Surkamp appeared in four games with the Knights this season and went 1-0 with one save and a 5.68 ERA. ... Friday, former Charlotte 49ers standout Tyler Barnette (a native of Hickory, NC) was promoted to the Knights from Single-A Winston-Salem. Barnette, 22, appeared in three games with the Dash this season and did not allow an earned run in four innings pitched. He appeared in three games for the Knights last season and posted a 0-0 mark with a 9.53 ERA. 

White Sox Purchase Contract of Carlos Rodon from Charlotte

Per team release...

Charlotte LHP Carlos Rodon, who entered the season ranked by Baseball America as the top prospect in Chicago’s system, had his contract purchased by the Chicago White Sox today, as announced by the team this afternoon. Rodon posted a 1-0 record with a 3.60 ERA in two starts for the Charlotte Knights this season.

Rodon, 22, notched his first professional win earlier this year (April 11) in a solid outing for the Charlotte Knights at BB&T Ballpark against the Norfolk Tides. On that day, the hard-throwing left-hander allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits over five innings. He fanned a career-high nine batters and did so in front of a sold-out crowd of 10,480 fans at BB&T Ballpark.

In his next outing of the season – which took place at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, GA – Rodon gave up three runs on six hits over five innings in a no-decision. In all, Rodon appeared in five games for the Knights over parts of two seasons and compiled a 1-0 record with a 3.27 ERA in 22 innings pitched. He allowed 17 hits and struck-out 31 batters over that span.

A standout at North Carolina State University, Rodon was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the first round (third overall pick) of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft. He set a school record of 436 career strikeouts and became just the fourth pitcher in the Atlantic Coast Conference history to record 400 strikeouts.

Before making his Triple-A debut with the Knights on August 19, 2014, Rodon made his professional debut on July 22, 2014 for the Arizona League White Sox. He appeared in two games for the team and allowed two runs on four hits over three innings. He then appeared in four games (two starts) for Winston-Salem (A+) and posted a 0-0 mark with a 1.86 ERA (9.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 15 SO) before his promotion to the Knights on August 16, 2014.

In other White Sox moves, RHP Jake Petricka, who was on a Major League Rehab assignment with the Knights, was returned to Chicago and activated off the disabled list. The White Sox also announced that RHP Kyle Drabek was designated for assignment and RHP Javy Guerra was placed on the disabled list retroactive to April 13.

Knights Postponed on Sunday Due to Inclement Weather

Sunday’s game between the Charlotte Knights and Gwinnett Braves originally scheduled for 2:05 p.m. from BB&T Ballpark has been postponed due to inclement weather. A makeup date has not been announced at this time.

Tickets from Sunday’s game can be exchanged for an equal or lesser value ticket for any 2015 Knights regular season game, based on availability. Tickets can be exchanged at the Knights Ticket Office located at BB&T Ballpark.

The Knights will now head to Durham, NC to open a four-game series with the Bulls on Monday at 7:05 p.m. 

Erik Johnson shines in Knights 6-2 win over Braves

Who is this version of Erik Johnson? And what did he do with the guy who struggled so mightily in 2014?

In his first start of 2015 with the Charlotte Knights, Johnson, held the Gwinnett Braves to one run on four hits over five innings of work, while striking out four in an eventual 6-2 Charlotte win in front of 10,527 at BB&T Ballpark.

The 25-year-old right-hander threw a remarkably efficient 63 pitches (46 strikes) over his five innings of work, never once going to a three-ball count, before heading down to the bullpen to toss 15 more pitches after being removed from the game (he was on an innings limit).

Johnson began last season as the Chicago White Sox No. 5 starter, but struggled with his fastball velocity and command before being reassigned to the Knights. From there, things only got worse for the White Sox No. 2-ranked prospect entering the season.

Johnson went on to finish 2014 with a 5-7 record with the Knights and a career-worst 6.73 earned-run average. 

But for Johnson, that's all in the past now. 

Through eight innings of work (three came in relief last Tuesday) this season, he's allowed just one run on six hits, while striking out seven.

Johnson's fastball is back to registering 92-to-95 miles-per-hour on the radar gun and he’s mixing in a sharp curveball, along with a slider and changeup. 

There’s a hop in his step and an enthusiasm in his voice that wasn’t there last season.

The Knights spotted Johnson (2-0) all the runs he would need in the first inning when Matt Davidson connected on a two-run home run off Chien-Ming Wang (0-1). For good measure, they added another run in the fourth inning and three more in the seventh to put the game away. 

The lone run off Johnson on Saturday came in the third inning. Joe Benson went the other way on a 2-0 fastball for a double to leadoff the inning and then came in to score on a seeing-eye ground-ball single between first and second. 

After a fly-out and an infield single, Johnson went to his slider and promptly got out of the inning with a double play. 

Of Johnson's four strikeouts on the night, three came on fastballs (all swinging) and one on a curveball. 

Quote

“For me, it’s all about getting as late of a launch as I can. By a late launch (I mean) how late you can hold onto the ball before you release it. It looks harder and is more explosive the longer you can hold onto it. That’s what I worked on this offseason.” – Knights’ starter Erik Johnson.

Worth mentioning

Knights’ centerfielder and White Sox No. 18 prospect (according to Baseball America) Trayce Thompson (1 for 4) extended his International-League best hitting-streak to 10 games with a single in the fourth inning. The 24-year-old is now hitting .375. … Tyler Saladino played shortstop for the Knights on Saturday after serving as the team’s designated hitter for the previous five games (he's still recovering from Tommy John Surgery just over eight months ago). … Carlos Sanchez (3 for 4, RBI, R) continued his torrid pace at the plate and is now hitting a team-high .485 over seven games since his assignment to Class AAA. … Reliever Jake Petricka (with the Knights on a rehab assignment from the White Sox) threw a scoreless inning of relief with two walks and two strikeouts. ... The crowd of 10,527 was the Knights' largest of the season and their fourth sellout. 

What's next?

The Knights (7-3) and Braves (3-7) will conclude their three-game series on Sunday at BB&T Ballpark at 2:05 p.m. Shawn Haviland (0-0, 0.00) will take the ball for Charlotte across from Braves No. 3 prospect (according to MLB.com) Mike Foltynewicz (0-1, 2.08).  

Game 10: Erik Johnson looks to continue strong start to season against G-Braves

Here are the lineups:

G-Braves (3-6)

Eury Perez RF

Jose Peraza 2B

Adonis Garcia DH

Pedro Ciriaco 3B

Todd Cunningham CF

Elmer Reyes SS

Joe Benson LF

Matt Kennelly 1B

Braeden Schlehuber C

Pitching: RHP Chien-Ming Wang (0-0, 3.38)

Knights (6-3)

Tyler Saladino SS

Carlos Sanchez 2B

Neftali Soto DH

Matt Davidson 3B

Engel Beltre RF

Trayce Thompson CF

Dan Black 1B

Kevan Smith C

Leury Garcia LF

Pitching: RHP Erik Johnson (1-0, 0.00)

Game time: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: WMYT My12 / ESPN 730 

Notes: Last night, Charlotte defeated the G-Braves, 7-5, on the strength of a 3-for-5 night at the plate from Carlos Sanchez. ... Today marks Erik Johnson's first start of 2015. The right-hander earned a win after tossing three scoreless innings in relief of Shawn Haviland on April 13. He gave up just two hits and fanned three. ... Jake Petricka (on rehab assignment from the White Sox) is scheduled to make his second appearance tonight. Petricka, 26, began the season on the disabled list with a strained forearm. ... Trayce Thompson is currently riding an International League-best nine-game hitting streak. The 24-year old CF ranks sixth in the IL in batting average at .400 (14-for-35). ... Carlos Sanchez ranks second, with a .448 (13-for-29) batting average through six games. ... The Knights leads the IL in batting average through nine games. Their team mark of .294 is 27 points higher than second-place Pawtucket (.267). G-Braves starter Chien-Ming Wang combined to go 13-8 with a 4.13 ERA with both Charlotte and Louisville last year.   

Carlos Sanchez leads Charlotte Knights to third-straight win

Since his reassignment from the Chicago White Sox to the Charlotte Knights on April 11, Carlos Sanchez has done nothing but hit.

The Knights’ second baseman went 3-for-5 on Friday with two RBI, a run scored and a stolen base to help Charlotte secure a 7-5 win over the Gwinnett Braves in front of 10,361 at BB&T Ballpark.

Sanchez’ big hit of the night was a two-run single up the middle off Braves’ prospect Matt Wiser (0-1) in the second inning that gave the Knights a 3-2 lead they would never relinquish. 

The three-hit night improved Sanchez’ average to .448 (13-for-29). The switch-hitter now has five RBI, four runs scored and a stolen base in six Class AAA games this season.

With Micah Johnson – who narrowly edged out Sanchez for the starting second-base job in Chicago – hitting just .167 (3-for-18) in seven games with the White Sox, Sanchez’ reassignment to Charlotte could be nearing an end.

Scott Carroll (1-1) earned the win for the Knights after allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits over five innings of work. The Sinker-baller struck out four and induced eight ground-ball outs.

Maikel Cleto (2IP, 0R), Arcenio Leon (1IP, 3R) and Jairo Asencio (S, 4) combined to hold the G-Braves to three runs on three hits (all off Leon) over the game’s final four frames.

Quote

“I did the best that I could while in was in (Chicago) and I brought that (attitude) here and I think that’s helped me a lot. I’m just trying… to show (the White Sox) that I can play and I’m just waiting for a chance.” – Knights second baseman Carlos Sanchez.

Worth mentioning

The win was the third in as many days for the Knights over the G-Braves. Charlotte swept a short two-game series in Gwinnett on Wednesday and Thursday. … Knights’ centerfielder and White Sox No. 18 prospect (according to Baseball America) Trayce Thompson (1 for 4) extended his International-League best hitting-streak to nine games with a solo home run in the second inning. The 24-year-old is now hitting a team-best .400 (min 2.7 PA/G). … Tyler Saladino (1 for 5), who DH’d for the fifth-straight game on Friday, extended his current hitting-streak to four games. … Maikel Cleto tossed two perfect innings of relief with two strikeouts and has now not allowed a run in his last 13 1/3 innings of work, dating back to last season. … White Sox reliever Jake Petricka, who threw a perfect inning on Thursday, is scheduled to make his second rehab appearance with the Knights on Saturday. … Prior to the start of Friday’s game the Knights unveiled an 18-foot Dragon statue just to the left of the batter’s eye in centerfield. The dragon, affectionately dubbed “Mojo” by those in the press box on Friday, will breath smoke after Knights’ home runs and wins.    

What's next?

The Knights (6-3) and Braves (3-6) will continue their three-game series on Saturday at BB&T Ballpark. Erik Johnson (1-0, 0.00) will take the ball for Charlotte across from former Knights' right-hander Chien-Ming Wang (0-0, 3.38).  

Observer legendary photographer Jeff Siner was at Friday's game and put together an excellent photo slideshow. Click Here to view it.