Knights at Bisons – May 19, 2013
TODAY’S PROBABLES
CHA RHP Zach Stewart (2-4, 3.81) @ BUF RHP Todd Redmond (0-0, 0.00)
ALL-TIME SERIES INFO: The Charlotte Knights will continue their eight-game
road trip through the Upstate New York region and play game two of a four-game series with the Buffalo Bisons today at 1:05 p.m. from Coca-Field in Buffalo, NY. Charlotte leads the all-time series against the Bisons with a 66-55 mark. At Coca-Cola Field, the Knights are 32-29 all-time. They are 34-26 against the Bisons in Fort Mill. The Knights enjoyed a solid 2012 campaign against the Bisons – especially in Buffalo. They went 4-0 in Buffalo and 6-2 in the eight-game overall series.
2012 SERIES INFO: The Knights dominated the Bisons in Buffalo and split a series at home. As a team, Charlotte hit .270 with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs over the eight-game stretch in 2012. Hector Gimenez led the Knights with three home runs, while Dan Johnson and Dallas McPherson had two each. The Knights had a 3.21 ERA in 2012. Simon Castro, who is scheduled to start on Tuesday, won his only start against the Bisons last season.
LAST NIGHT OUT: Bryan Anderson launched two home runs, Jordan Danks and Carlos Sanchez each had two hits, and the Charlotte Knights beat the Buffalo Bisons 11-6 on Saturday at Coca-Cola Field. The win was Charlotte’s third in-a-row. Both of Anderson’s home runs were two-run shots giving him four RBIs on the night. His last two home run game (the only other one of his career) came on August 5, 2012 as a member of the Memphis Redbirds. He had five RBIs in that game. Sanchez had his seventh multi-hit game of the season.
REHABBING: LHP John Danks continued his Major League Rehab assignment and started for the Knights on Saturday. Danks, who is recovering from left shoulder surgery, made his third rehab start with Charlotte this season. He allowed two hits and two earned runs (three runs) over 4.2 innings. He walked four and struck-out five and threw 95 pitches, 51 for strikes. Gordon Beckham and Angel Sanchez were also on Major League Rehab assignments from Chicago. In his first rehab appearance of the season, Beckham went 2-4 with three runs scored and a walk. Sanchez, who was in his fourth appearance with the Knights this season, went 1-3 with two runs scored, one RBI, and one walk.
DANKS RANKS: Jordan Danks moved into first place on the Knights All-Time career list in walks last night – tying Joe Borchard. Danks and Borchard each have 156 walks. Danks is also among the Knights all-time career leaders in a number of other categories. He is second in hits (322), tied for first in triples (11), third in doubles (70), third in runs scored (178), second in at-bats (1,206), third in games played (337), and fifth in RBIs (148). He needs seven more RBIs to move up in that category (he would tie Josh Fields with 155).
MORE MOREL: Brent Morel enters today’s game with a 16-straight game on-base streak. Morel went 1-4 with a run scored in Friday’s game. He did not play in yesterday’s game.
SAVE THE LAST INNING FOR RAMON: RHP Ramon Troncoso earned his team-high sixth save of the season on Friday after another scoreless ninth inning. He is now 1-1 with a 1.59 ERA on the season. He has a 1.08 ERA in the ninth inning this year (8.1, 1 ER). Right-handers are hitting just .146 against him.
PHEGLEY IS ON PHIRE: Josh Phegley had a day off on Saturday and his backup Bryan Anderson put on a show with two home runs. Phegley is batting .347 on the season – good for fifth place in the IL in that category. He is also second in home runs (10), first in slugging percentage (.686), and fifth in extra-base hits (20). Phegley has a home run every 11.80 at-bats. The Indiana native currently has a six-game hit-streak and has 11 hits over that span. He is hitting .426 in road games this season (20-47).
Rain Pushes Viciedo Rehab Back One Day…
Dayan Viciedo, the former Knights hard-hitting outfielder who has become a staple in the Chicago White Sox lineup, was scheduled to begin a Major League Rehab assignment for the Charlotte Knights on Monday in Columbus, OH. Viciedo was in the lineup for Charlotte and ready to be the team’s designated hitter. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans.
Monday’s game between the Charlotte Knights and Columbus Clippers from Huntington Park in Columbus, OH, was postponed due to inclement weather. The two teams will now play a doubleheader on Tuesday with first pitch of game one scheduled for 5:05 p.m. Tuesday’s doubleheader will feature two seven-inning games.
Viciedo, who is currently on the Chicago White Sox disabled list with a left oblique strain, will now have to begin a Major League rehab assignment with the Charlotte Knights one day later.
He was originally placed on the 15-day disabled list by Chicago on April 20 (retroactive to April 19). At the time, the Cuban native was hitting .229 with two home runs and five RBIs over 13 games. Last season, Viciedo hit .255 with 25 home runs and 78 RBIs over 147 games for the White Sox.
During his two seasons in Fort Mill (2010-11), Viciedo posted back-to-back 20 home run seasons for the Knights. The Cuban native hit .274 with 20 long balls and 47 RBIs for the Knights over 86 games in 2010. The next year he compiled a .296 batting average with 20 home runs and 96 RBIs. His 40 home runs (over two seasons) rank seventh all-time in franchise history.
During this past offseason, Viciedo was recognized as one of the best players in Knights Stadium history. The 24-year-old was nominated as the utility player on the All Knights Stadium Team. On April 11, 2013 during a pre-game on-field ceremony, Viciedo was announced as the winner. Over his two years, he played third base, first base, DH, and right field for the Knights.
An April to Remember (Part 1)…
The baseball season is by far my favorite time of year. It’s better than the Christmas season, way better than football season, and it’s the reason I enjoy summer. When I was a kid, summer meant a month down the Jersey Shore at Seaside Heights. That was a lot of fun! The 1980′s were a lot of fun too! Long live the 80′s.
Now, many years later, summer means seven days a week filled with baseball. I eat, sleep, and breathe baseball. And, it’s still not enough baseball. I can’t imagine working any other job.
It’s not easy, but it’s well worth it!
With that, let’s take a look back at the month of April. The first month featured a number of days that truly stick out to me. First, Opening Day was historic. The 24th and final Opening Day in Knights Stadium history featured three All Knights Stadium Team members — Jordan Danks, Josh Phegley, and Ross Gload. The entire team was announced for the first time during a pre-game on-field ceremony.
Some players sent in a video message. It was great to hear from Charlie Manuel, who was named as the manager. He submitted a video and it was played on our video board.
Jason Bourgeois — the All Knights Stadium Team’s second baseman, also sent in a video. The current Durham Bulls star was humbled by his appearance on the team. It was great to hear from Jason.
Just two days later, Jason was on-hand to accept his award during an on-field ceremony. Jason and the Durham Bulls were in town to face the Knights. He was off to a hot-start to begin the season. I spoke to Jason before the game and we later showed the interview on the video board before he accepted his award. You can view that video:
Knights TV : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bkJ6R13JzU
He later accepted his plaque in front of the fans from Knights General Manager of Baseball Operations Scotty Brown (pictured, right). I hope to be able to have other All Knights Stadium Team members at Knights Stadium this season. Stay tuned for more updates about that throughout the year.
On Friday, April 12, the Knights welcomed Country Music Superstar and 8-Time Women’s Wrestling champion Mickie James to Knights Stadium for a fun evening at the ballpark. Mickie was on-hand to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, and sign her new song “Somebody’s Gonna Pay”. Mickie was a lot of fun and even throw out a ceremonial first pitch. She did a good job with the pitch!
She later made her way around Knights Stadium and appeared on the Charlotte Knights radio network to talk about her album and more. She even tried her hand at play-by-play with Knights radio broadcaster Mike Pacheco.
It was great to have Mickie at Knights Stadium as she becomes a household name in the music business. Thanks again Mickie! Good luck with the album and good luck with your push for another championship in TNA Impact Wrestling!
The same night that we welcomed Mickie to Knights Stadium (April 12), MiLB President Pat O’Conner was on-hand to present Knights catcher Josh Phegley with his 2012 Rawlings MiLB Gold Glove Award. Phegley became the second Knights player in as many seasons to earn the award. In 2011, Knights OF Jordan Danks won the award.
Before the game, Phegley was presented the award during an on-field ceremony. Knights Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Dan Rajkowski was there to present the award to Josh, along with Pat O’Conner. It was a nice moment for Josh. He had a remarkable 2012 season and he was honored for his hard work. Last September, Josh also received the Knights Community Service Award. He was even an International League All-Star a season ago! Good job Josh! 
Perhaps one of the coolest ideas of the season was the Knights wearing throwback jerseys during all Friday games this season. Each Friday, the Knights are having a special “Flashback Fridays” series. All Knights players will wear the jerseys that the 1990 Charlotte Knights wore — the first Knights team to play at Knights Stadium (the stadium opened in 1990). So far, the jerseys have been a huge hit with fans! They have really added an extra element to our games on Friday nights!
Stay tuned for the first throwback hat giveaway on Friday, May 10 as part of the series.
Wow, I started this blog to take a look back at the first month, but I am still just on the first three home games! April 11 and April 12 were jam-packed full of fun. On April 13, the Jason Bourgeois ceremony was fun as well.
I also want to make sure I mention our lovely Dance Team — the KnightinGals, who originally debuted at Knights Fest on March 30. Their first appearance during a game, however, came on Opening Day, April 11. On that day we revealed their new name and gave the fans a chance to see them in action before the game!
So far, the girls have performed at two games (should have been three, although there was a postponement due to rain on April 27) and they have been AWESOME! There have been so many fans coming up to them to take a photo with them. They have already become a staple at Knights Stadium!
There will be more with the Dance Team as the season goes on. Stay tuned for that!
I’m going to leave this blog with a look back at the fireworks. All Saturday home games this season feature post-game fireworks and the first Saturday of the year had an amazing show. Check it out (pictured, right).
I’ll be back with Part 2 of April soon!
In the meantime, I hope to see you at Knights Stadium in May. We return home on May 10 for a fun “Flashback Fridays” game.
On Saturday, we’ll host our 8th Annual Pink Knights, thanks to Charlotte Radiology & Belk. There will also be post-game fireworks, thanks to BB&T Ballpark and News Talk 1110 WBT. On Sunday, we’ll treat moms to a great Mother’s Day at Knights Stadium.
Knights Open Series in Toledo Thursday…
Knights @ Mud Hens ~ May 2, 2013
ALL-TIME SERIES INFO: The Charlotte Knights will open up their first non-division road 
series tonight as they face the Toledo Mud Hens in Toledo, OH for game one of a four-game series. The Knights lead the overall series with the Mud Hens 142-115. Charlotte began play in the International League in 1993 and since then have a solid home and road record against the Mud Hens. At Knights Stadium, the Knights are 75-50 all-time, and at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, Charlotte leads 67-65. The Knights have 25 wins over Toledo over the past five seasons – averaging five wins a year against the club for the five-year span. The Knights went 3-5 in 2008, then 6-2 in 2009, 5-3 in 2010 and 2011 and 6-2 against the ‘Hens in 2012.
THREE-HEADER: The Knights completed their third doubleheader of the season on Tuesday and fell to 0-6 this year in twin bills after dropping both games on Tuesday – a day after losing both games on Monday. The Knights lost four games in two days to SWB. Charlotte will face Toledo tonight – both teams have an identical record with an IL low 7 wins and 20 losses.
RAMON ROLLING: RHP Ramon Troncoso has been lights-out since allowing two runs in his first appearance of the season. Troncoso has strung together eight consecutive outings of scoreless ball, totaling nine innings. During those nine innings, he has allowed just three hits and two walks – entering play Thursday with a 0.80 WHIP. The Dominican Republic native is also three-for-three in save opportunities and earned a win on April 11th against Gwinnett.
STREAKS: The Knights are currently in the midst of a six-game losing streak – the longest of the season. In 2012, Charlotte’s longest losing streak was four games. Toledo also enters the game needing a win, compiling five losses in a row and eight of their last nine.
SEVENTH INNING STRETCH: Six of Charlotte’s seven wins this season have come when they had a lead after the seventh inning. When leading after the seventh frame, the Knights are 6-2. When trailing after the seventh, they are 1-17.
ROAD WARRIORS: Despite Charlotte’s 2-9 record on the road this year, the team has some players performing well away from home. Catcher Josh Phegley is hitting .440 (11-25) on the road over seven games. The Indiana native has five runs scored, three doubles, two home runs and five RBIs on the road this year. Jim Gallagher has enjoyed a solid season for the Knights and has been good for Charlotte on the road this year. Gallagher is hitting .389 (7-18) with one home run, three runs scored and five RBIs in five road games. Luis Durango has a .314 (11-35) batting average over nine road games.
NEXT SERIES: The Knights will play four in Toledo and then make their way over to Columbus to face the Clippers for four at Huntington Park where Charlotte went 2-2 in 2012.
Monday’s Doubleheader…
April 29, 2013
ALL-TIME SERIES INFO: The Charlotte Knights and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre first began play in 1993
when the Knights entered the International League for the first time in their history. Before that, the Knights were the Double-A Southern League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. In 1993 however, the Knights were affiliated with the Cleveland Indians and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre was known as the Red Barons – the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. In 2007, the Red Barons became the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees – Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, which they still are today. On November 14, 2012, they became known as the RailRiders. Over the course of the history of the Knights and SWB team, SWB leads the All-Time series with a 102-86 record. At Knights Stadium, SWB is 49-45, while at PNC Field (formerly known as Lackawanna County Stadium), the SWB team is 53-41 against the Knights.
DEJA-VU ALL OVER AGAIN: The Charlotte Knights and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders were set to play the first game of their 2013 series on Saturday, but Mother Nature had other ideas. Saturday’s game was postponed due to inclement weather and was supposed to be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sunday at 1:15 PM. That didn’t happen as rain washed away Sunday’s doubleheader. In 2009, the Knights had a series scheduled with the Columbus Clippers at Knights Stadium ruined by rain. After playing the opener on June 2 and game two on June 3, the Knights and Clippers were postponed due to rain on June 4. They then had a doubleheader scheduled for June 5, but they only got one game in and had to cancel a game due to more bad weather.
TEKOTTE RETURNS: OF Blake Tekotte was optioned back to the Knights after Sunday’s White Sox game. Tekotte, who appeared in one game with the Knights this season, appeared in three games with the Sox – mostly as a pinch runner. On 4/24 with the Sox, he went 0-2 with a walk and two strikeouts.
THE HEATH IS UP…AGAIN: RHP Deunte Heath became the first Knights pitcher to earn a second promotion to the White Sox in 2013. Heath was promoted back on April 12 and again on Sunday (April 28). He was 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA over 9.0 IP this season with Charlotte.
REHABBING: LHP Leyson Septimo began a Major League rehab assignment on Friday with the Charlotte Knights. Septimo, who is recovering from a left shoulder strain, which has kept his sidelined this season, allowed three runs (three-run home run) on one hit and two walks over 0.1 innings pitched. Septimo was ejected from the game after hitting Travis Ishikawa. He threw 18 pitches in all. He is expected to continue his rehab assignment today for the Knights.
TOUCH OF GRAY: On Friday, RHP Jeff Gray continued his solid play at home. Gray allowed just one hit over 0.2 scoreless innings in relief of starter Andre Rienzo on Friday and now has not allowed a run at Knights Stadium this year (5 G). In all, Gray has allowed just four hits and three walks, while fanning seven batters over 6.1 shutout innings at home.
Zaleski Goes for Charlotte on April 23…
ALL-TIME SERIES INFO: The Charlotte Knights enter play today with a career mark of 182- 174 against the Norfolk
Tides. At Knights Stadium, the Knights hold a 98-82 record, while at Harbor Park — the Tides are 92-84. The two teams kick-off a four-game series from Knights Stadium today. After this series, the South Division foes will not face off again until July 6 in Fort Mill.
2012 SERIES INFO: The Knights edged the Tides in the season series by the slimmest of margins, 11-10. The Knights outscored Norfolk 91-84 in the 21 games, including a .252 to .236 advantage in team average. Charlotte won four of six against Norfolk in August.
2013 SERIES INFO: The Charlotte Knights outscored the Norfolk Tides 29-15 in three games, but still fell in the series two games to one. 21 Knights’ runs came in the first game, which was a 21-4 thrashing of the Tides. The Knights did it with two big innings, scoring seven in the third and eight in the ninth. Every starter scored and drove in at least one run led by Jim Gallagher, who had four hits including a home run, drove in four, and scored three times. The Tides stole the second game away from the Knights, after Charlotte entered the 8th inning with a 4-0 lead. A Yamaico Navarro single scored Danny Valencia for the winning run in the 5-4 game. The Tides earned the series win in the third game with another late rally, scoring three in the seventh to win 6-4. Charlotte starting pitchers combined to allow just three runs in 17.0 innings, with Matt Zaleski earning the win in the first game. Four Knights’ players recorded five-plus hits in the three-game set with Steve Tolleson contributing five RBI as well.
STREAKING: Seth Loman extended his on-base streak to 17 games with a walk and another hit-by-pitch in Monday’s game at Gwinnett. He trails G-Braves’ Ernesto Mejia by one game for the league-high this season. Loman is now tied for the International League lead in walks (14) with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Zoilo Almonte. The lefty also leads the league in HBP with 10, including three in his last two games. Only once this season has he failed to hit or walk in a game, extending his streak on a hit-by-pitch April 14th vs. Durham.
MORE STREAKING: In addition to Loman’s impressive start, the Knights have a few other players who putting together impressive numbers. Josh Phegley extended his hitting streak on the road to 11 games, with a 3-for-4 effort last night. It is currently the second-longest streak away from home, trailing Syracuse’s Eury Perez. Lars Anderson pushed his on-base to 12 with a very Loman-like hit-by-pitch. Anderson started his run (seven games) with Pawtucket in 2012 before reaching base in every game with the Knights (five).
Z-MAN ADDS ON: RHP Matt Zaleski added to his All-Time Knights career marks on Thursday, April 18 in Durham. Zaleski made his 68th start as a Knight – second only to Charlie Haeger’s 73. He added to his innings pitched total as well. Zaleski now has 391.1 innings pitched as a Knight – also second to Haeger (495.2). He moved into sole possession of fourth place in walks with 140. He is currently tied for ninth in wins (19). Haeger leads the category with 29 wins.
11:05 AM Start on Thursday…
ALL-TIME SERIES INFO: The Charlotte Knights and Durham Bulls will continue their 2013 
series today in game two of a two-game series from Knights Stadium. The Bulls lead the All-Time series 148-122 and at Knights Stadium they hold a 71-67 record. The two teams will continue a two-game series from Durham tonight. Durham is 77-55 at the DBAP Park. After these two games, the Knights and Bulls will not meet again until July 3 at Knights Stadium (one-game series).
2012 SERIES INFO: The Knights played impressive baseball against the Bulls last season –
posting a 10-0 record at Knights Stadium, and an overall record of 15-6. Against the Bulls in
Durham the Knights went 5-6.
2013 SERIES INFO: The Charlotte Knights opened their four-game series against the Durham Bulls on Saturday, April 13 with a 5-4 win and continued with a 5-2 win on Sunday. The Knights looked to make it 15-straight home wins against the Bulls (dating back to 2011) on Monday, but lost to Durham 6-3 after the Bulls scored three runs in the ninth inning off of Charlotte reliever Jhan Carlos Marinez. On Tuesday, in the home finale, the Knights beat the Bulls 2-1 to take three of four games.
CURRENT SERIES INFO: The Durham Bulls took the first game of the two-game series with a 6-2 win on Wednesday. Durham starter J.D. Martin earned the win after allowing
two runs over 5.1 innings for his first win of the season. The Bulls struck-out 16 Charlotte batters in the opener.
THE HEATH IS BACK… Deunte Heath returned to the Knights on Wednesday after being optioned down by the Chicago White Sox. Heath, who was promoted to Chicago on April 12 and appeared in one game, threw two shutout innings for the Knights in the opening game against the Bulls on Wednesday. Heath has not allowed a run in three-straight games for the Knights this season (5.0 IP).
OMOGROSSO SCORELESS: Brian Omogrosso tossed a scoreless innings out of the bullpen on Wednesday – his second straight scoreless appearance of the season. Three of his four appearances this season have been scoreless.
ROAD WARRIOR: Steve Tolleson launched a two-run home run in the first inning of Wednesday’s game. It was the only runs that Charlotte would get in the 6-2 loss. Tolleson has two home runs on the season – both on the road. In fact, the South Carolina native is hitting .300 on the road this year with two home runs and nine RBIs in eight games.
KNIGHTS FACE ODORIZZI… AGAIN: The Knights will face RHP Jake Odorizzi today, just five days after seeing him at Knights Stadium on April 13. Charlotte scored four runs over 5.1 innings against him. Brent Morel homered and the Knights combined to have five hits. Odorizzi, who received a no-decision, fanned nine batters that day. Today’s game is a re-match of that game, which pitted Matt Zaleski vs. Odorizzi.
Knights Look to Make it 15-Straight Home Wins Vs. Bulls
ALL-TIME SERIES INFO: The Charlotte Knights and Durham Bulls will continue their 2013
series tonight in game one of a four-game series from Knights Stadium. The Bulls lead the
All-Time series 146-130 and at Knights Stadium they hold a 70-66 record. The two teams will
head to Durham on April 17-18 for a quick two-game set. Durham is 76-55 at the DBAP Park.
2012 SERIES INFO: The Knights played impressive baseball against the Bulls last season –
posting a 10-0 record at Knights Stadium, and an overall record of 15-6. Against the Bulls in
Durham the Knights went 5-6.
2013 SERIES INFO: The Charlotte Knights opened their four-game series against the Durham Bulls on Saturday night with a 5-4 win and continued with a 5-2 win on Sunday.
WIN-A-BULL GAMES: The Charlotte Knights continued their home winning streak against the Durham Bulls on Sunday. After winning their last two home games against Durham in 2011, and all 10 in 2012, the Knights are now 14-0 against the Bulls at home, dating back to August 31, 2011.
PHEGLEY PHEELS IT: Josh Phegley ended Sunday’s game in the bottom of the 11th inning with a game-winning three-run home run – his fourth homer of the season. Phegley hit six home runs all of last year – including five during the month of August. The most home runs he has ever hit in a season is nine. He hit nine in 2009 Kannapolis & combined to hit nine in 2011 with Charlotte (2) and Birmingham (7).
WALK-OFF: Josh Phegley’s 11th inning, three-run home run was the Knights second walk-off home run of the homestand. On Thursday in the home opener, Seth Loman launched a walk-off home run. The Knights had nine walk-off wins in 2012.
SOLID BULLPEN: The Knights bullpen was impressive on Sunday – combining on five scoreless innings in relief of starter Jason Berken. Tony Pena threw three shutout innings, and Brian Omogrosso and Jhan Carlos Marinez each threw one inning each.
ALL GOOD STREAKS MUST COME TO AN END: Luis Durango entered Sunday’s game with a team-best eight-game hit streak. Durango was unable to keep the streak alive and went 0-5 on the afternoon. Two other Knights have had streaks of five games or more. Josh Phegley had a six-game hit streak and Seth Loman had a five game hit streak earlier this season.
DOUBLE TROUBLE: Jim Gallagher roped his second double of the season on Sunday. He has 56 for his Knights career, two less than Tim Hummel’s 58 (10th All-Time Knights leaders).
HIT, HIT, HOORAY: Jordan Danks has now had a multi-hit game in four-straight games after yesterday’s two-hit performance. In all, Danks has had six multi-hit games this season.
4/13: Knights Host Bulls in Opener
ALL-TIME SERIES INFO: The Charlotte Knights and Durham Bulls will begin their 2013 
series tonight in game one of a four-game series from Knights Stadium. The Bulls lead the
All-Time series 146-119 and at Knights Stadium they hold a 70-64 record. The two teams will
head to Durham on April 17-18 for a quick two-game set. Durham is 76-55 at the DBAP Park.
2012 SERIES INFO: The Knights played impressive baseball against the Bulls last season –
posting a 10-0 record at Knights Stadium, and an overall record of 15-6. Against the Bulls in
Durham the Knights went 5-6.
LAST GAME RECAP: The Charlotte Knights completed their two-game series with the Gwinnett Braves on Friday with an 8-7 loss. Gwinnett hit three home runs en route to their fifth win of the season against the Charlotte Knights in six games. Gwinnett reliever Cory Rasmus (1-0, 1.50) allowed one unearned run over two innings to earn the victory. Second baseman Tyler Pastornicky went 3-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs. Ernesto Mejia and Joey Terdoslavich also chipped in with home runs. Brian Omogrosso (0-1, 15.00) allowed five runs on six hits over two innings and was saddled with the loss.
Z-MAN DELIVERS: Matt Zaleski enters tonight’s start with 19 wins as a Charlotrte Knights pitcher. His 19 wins are 10 less than the Knights All-Time leader in franchise history – Charlie Haeger. His last start was the 66th of his career with the Knights – second also to Charlie Haeger (73) His eight strikeouts last time out moved him into fifth place on the All-Time list for Knights pitchers. Turn to page 95 of the Knights Media Guide for more on Zaleski’s ranks.
DURANGO MAKES IT EIGHT: Luis Durango continued his outstanding play on Friday night for the Knights. Durango, the 2012 IL Stolen Base Champion with 46 bags, went 2-5 on Friday and extended his hit-streak to eight games. He’s currently batting .382 on the season.
BANK ON DANKS: Jordan Danks is off to a solid start to the 2013 season. Danks is hitting .324 on the year over nine games and has been extra sharp over his last five games. The Texas native is hitting .429 with seven runs scored, two home runs, and three RBIs. His double last night moved him into sole possession of third place on the Knights All-Time career doubles list with 69. Top Two: Joe Borchard (96) and Brian Daubach (85).
DANKS RANKS: Jordan Danks is currently ranked second All-Time in Knights history in walks with 149. Danks tied Brian Daubach for second on 4/7 in Gwinnett. A night later in Norfolk, he moved passed Daubach. Danks is just seven away from Joe Borcchard’s 156 – which is the top mark in franchise history. Also this season, Danks has moved into third place in Knights career history in runs scored with 171. Top Two: Joe Borchard (237) and Chris Clapinski (189).
SIMON SAYS: Knights starter Simon Castro allowed three runs on six hits over six innings in Friday’s finale. He did not factor in the decision. He went at least six innings in 11 of his 15 starts last season with Birmingham (AA).
LOMAN LEADERBOARD: A night after hitting a game-winning, walk-off home run in the 10th inning, Seth Loman added another hit last night for the Knights (he went 1-5). He is currently fifth in the IL in batting average with a .414 mark. He’s also fifth in slugging percentage (.828) and second in on-base percentage (.564). He is also tied for second place in extra base hits (6). He is hitting .375 (6-16) with six runs scored, two home runs and four RBIs over his last five games played.
Knights Look to Avoid Series Sweep Today…
2013 SERIES INFO: The Charlotte Knights dropped their 2013 season opener on Friday by a score of 5-4 and didn’t have much success in Saturday’s doubleheader. The Knights dropped both ends of the twin bill on Saturday, losing to Gwinnett 6-4 in game one and 2-1 in game two. The Knights have now lost four straight games to the Braves, dating back to their final meeting of the 2012 season (7/31/12). The Knights lost four-straight to the Braves also from July 1-July 5. The July 3rd scheduled game was suspended and completed on July 5. The Knights will look to avoid a fifth-straight loss to Gwinnett today.
0-3: With three straight losses to begin the 2013 season, the Charlotte Knights are off to their first 0-3 start since the 2007 season, when they dropped the first three games of the year to the Pawtucket Red Sox. The three games at Knights Stadium ended in 7-4, 5-1, and 4-3 losses (respectively). The Knights beat Pawtucket in game four on April 8, 2007 by a score of 4-3 for their first win of the year. Gavin Floyd started that game (6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 SO) but it was Ryan Bukvich who earned the win out of the bullpen.
Déjà Vu All Over Again?: The current 0-3 start for the Knights comes a year after making the playoffs. The last 0-3 start (2007) also came after the Knights made the playoffs. The Knights have been outscored 13-9 over their first three games.
Mr. On-Base Man: Jordan Danks entered Saturday’s contest with an impressive streak on-the-line. The Texas native entered play with a 31-straight on-base streak dating back to last season.
More, More, Morel: Brent Morel tripled in Saturday’s game two matchup and it was the California native’s first triple since he hit one with the Chicago White Sox on 8/19/11 against the Texas Rangers and pitcher Matt Harrison. Morel did have four triples in 2010 as a member of the Charlotte Knights – five total that season (he also had one triple with Double-A Birmingham that season). The last Knights triple(s) came back on August 7 at Indianapolis. On that day, both Dewayne Wise and Greg Golson hit triples. Morel has three hits over his last two games.
Double Your Pleasure: Catcher Bryan Anderson got the start behind the plate in game one of Saturday’s twin bill and ripped two doubles in the game. It was the first time he had two doubles in a game since 5/24/12 @ Tucson as a member of Memphis (Triple-A). Anderson was a Midwest League All-Star in 2006 when he was a member of the Quad City River Bandits. That season, Anderson hit a season-high 29 doubles – one behind teammate Casey Rowlett.
The Heath is ON: RHP Deunte Heath made his 2013 season debut in game two of the doubleheader on Saturday and struck-out three batters, while allowing one hit over a scoreless inning. Last season with the Knights, Heath had three or more strikeouts on 14 occassions. He appeared in 36 games with the Knights.
