Charlotte Knights Expansion Franchise (2023)

[TribeTown]

Game #17 – April 16 – Knights Field

Sean Manaea basically threw batting practice as the Phillies teed off for 6 runs in 5 innings of work. Kyle Schwarber hit a solo bomb in the 2nd, Rhys Hoskins homered in the 3rd, and Hoskins connected for his 2nd round-tripper on the day, a 3-run shot, in the 5th. The only good note for Charlotte came in the 2nd, when Anthony Santander hit a solo home run, his 4th of the season, which temporarily tied the game at 1. The Knights added their 2nd run in the 7th on a walk, a Phillies error, and an RBI groundout.

Final Score: Philadelphia 7, Charlotte 2
WP: R. Suarez (2-0)
LP: S. Manaea (1-3)
Record: 9-8
Player of the Game: Rhys Hoskins

[TribeTown]

Game #18 – April 17 – Knights Field

Danny Santana hit his 1st home run of the season as the Knights took a 1-0 lead in the 2nd. Brandon Drury delivered an RBI single in the 3rd to make it 2-0. Anthony Santander followed with a double to drive home Drury.

Braxton Garrett retired 10 of the 1st 11 men he faced before Nick Castellanos hit a home run to left in the 4th.

Ryan McKenna led off the bottom of the 5th with a triple off the top of the wall in left center (it missed being McKenna's 2nd home run of the year by inches). McKenna scored in Adam Frazier's RBI groundout (6-3).

Garrett was spectacular in his Knights debut, allowing 2 hits, striking out 5 and walking 1 over 6 innings. Austin Adams relieved and retired the 1st two hitters in the 7th before leaving the game with a hand injury (he should not miss any time). Jorge Alcala finished the inning and pitched a 1-2-3 8th, aided by a spectacular catch in a line drive by Conner Wong, who was playing 3B. A. J. Puk retired the side in order in the 9th for his 7th save.

Final Score: Charlotte 4, Philadelphia 1
WP: B. Garrett (1-0)
LP: Z. Wheeler (1-2)
SV: A. Puk (7)
Record: (10-8)
Player of the Game: Braxton Garrett

[JudgeMetalTV]

Cool series, I like the game summaries and the team picture was a great touch!

[TribeTown]

Thanks! I am enjoying this one. Good luck with the Phils!

[TribeTown]

The Knights traveled to Milwaukee to take on the Brewers. Here are the pitching matchups:

Danny Duffy (1-1, 5.40) vs. Justin Verlander (1-2, 3.46)
John Means (2-0, 2.37) vs. Eric Lauer (1-1, 2.75)
Mike Clevinger (1-1, 3.13) vs. Corbin Burnes (2-1, 3.12)

Game #19 – April 18 – American Family Field

Charlotte loaded the bases on 2 hits and a walk in the 1st inning but failed to score. That was the best chance they would have as Justin Verlander retired 12 men in a row before surrendering a single to Jose Iglesias in the 5th.

Mitch Garver hit a 2 run home run in the 2nd which just stayed inside the LF foul pole. Luis Urias belted a 2-run shot in the 3rd to make it 4-0. The next batter, Hunter Renfroe, also deposited a Danny Duffy pitch into the LF stands. C. J. Cron led off the 4th with yet another homer to left, and Ricky Devito was called to relieve Duffy. DeVito gave up a run in 2 innings of work.

Verlander was dominant but left the game with an apparent injury in the 7th. Milwaukee pitchers held Charlotte to just 3 hits while walking 1, striking out 16 batters.

Final Score: Milwaukee 7, Charlotte 0
WP: J. Verlander (2-2)
LP: D. Duffy (1-2)
Record: 10-9
Player of the Game: Justin Verlander

News: St. Louis RP Ryan Helsey will miss the rest of the season with a ruptured disc.

[TribeTown]

Game #20 – April 19 – American Family Field

The Brewers strung together 3 straight hits in the bottom of the 1st to take a 1-0 lead. Ryan McKenna injured his elbow making the throw home and had to leave the game. Jhonkensey Noel misplayed a ground ball, allowing Milwaukee to score another run. Brandon Drury also made an error, but John Means was able to get out of the inning without any further damage. The Brewers added another run in the 2nd. Means pitched out of trouble in the 3rd, helped by a great defensive play by Drury at 3rd.

Jhonkensey Noel reached base on a throwing error to lead off the 4th and Mike Gerber followed with a 422 foot home run to dead center to cut the Brewers lead to 3-2. Gerber went deep again, a 362 foot home run down the RF line, to lead off the 6th.

With the game now tied, Sal Frelick led off the Milwaukee 6th with a single and, after Victor Caratini was retired, Means walked Garrett Mitchell. Austin Adams was called from the bullpen and retired Jeimer Candelario and Luis Urias to end the inning. Adams walker Hunter Renfroe to start the 7th. Jose Abreu smashed a double over Gerber's head in center to score a run and give Milwaukee a 4-3 lead. Willy Adames was safe on an infield hit, and Abreu scored on an RBI groundout by Sal Frelick to make it 5-3.

Noel hit his 4th home run of the season to lead off the 8th, a 414 foot shot to left-center. Milwaukee added 2 insurance runs in the bottom of the inning off of Kervin Castro, although it could have been much worse – Mike Gerber threw out 2 Brewers at the plate in the inning.

Josh Hader retired the side in order in the 9th to earn the save.

Although in a losing effort, Mike Gerber played the game of his life – two home runs and two assists, both times nailing a runner at the plate. The well-traveled Gerber has hit well in the minors, but has not done much in 66 MLB at bats with the Tigers and Giants. He spent time playing in Japan before signing as a free agent with the expansion Knights.

Final Score: Milwaukee 7, Charlotte 4
WP: E. Lauer (2-1)
LP: A. Adams (0-1)
SV: J. Hader (5)
Record: 10-10
Player of the Game: Mike Gerber

News: FA reliever Taylor Rogers signed with rhe Yankees (1/$18,200,000)

[TribeTown]

Game #21 – April 20 – American Family Field

Charlotte took a 1-0 lead in the 2nd on a double by Mike Gerber and an RBI single by Anthony Santander. The Knights added a run in the 3rd when Owen Miller singled with 2 outs and scored on Adam Frazier's double into the RF corner.

Mike Clevinger retired the 1st nine men he faced before Sal Frelick led off the bottom of the 4th with an infield single. Frelick went to 2nd on a fielder's choice, stole 3rd, and scored on a sacrifice fly.

The Knights added to their lead in the 5th on back-to-back-to-back singles by Brandon Drury, Wilson Ramos, and Jose Iglesias.

The Brewers loaded the bases with 2 outs in the bottom of the inning, but Clevinger got Jeimer Candelario to ground out to 2nd.

Gerber struck out to lead off the 6th and was ejected after arguing with the home plate umpire. With Ryan McKenna nursing a sore elbow, that forced the Knights to move Santander to center field.

Clevinger pitched 8 outstanding innings, allowing 1 run in 2 hits while striking out 3 and walking 4. Owen Miller's 2-run single in the 8th was icing on the cake, making the score 5-1. Jorge Alcala pitched the 9th.

Final Score: Charlotte 5, Milwaukee 1
WP: M. Clevinger (2-1)
LP: C. Burnes (2-2)
Record: 11-10
Player of the Game: Mike Clevinger

TRANSACTION: Charlotte claimed Rockies 1B Elehuris Montero off waivers. Montero plays a decent 1B, can also play at 3B (not very well), and ultimately will probably be more of a DH-type if he sticks. He has below average contact ability but above average power and, like many others in the Knights lineup, not a lot of speed. Charlotte has not announced a corresponding roster move yet.

News: Los Vegas P J. T. Ginn will miss the season with a torn ulnar collateral ligament. Juan Soto extended his hitting streak to 20 games.

[TribeTown]

The Knights host the 12-9 Washington Nationals. Here are the pitching matchups:

Seth Romero (0-1, 3.52) vs. Sean Manaea (1-3, 4.74)
Joan Adon (2-0, 4.81) vs. Danny Duffy (1-2, 7.50)
Josiah Gray (2-2, 3.66) vs. Braxton Garrett (1-0,1.50)

Game #22 – April 21 – Knights Field

Owen Miller, Brandon Drury, and Jhonkensey Noel all singled to load the bases in the bottom of the 1st, and then Anthony Santander unloaded them with the 1st grand slam in Charlotte Knights history – a 378 foot shot that just cleared the LF wall. After Mike Gerber was retired, Danny Santana hit a solo shot to left to make it 5-0. It was Santana's 2nd round-tripper of the season.

Washington scored 3 times in the 2nd and twice in the 4th to tie the game.

Santander tripled with 1 out in the 5th (his 3rd hit of the game) and Gerber singled him home to give the Knights a 6-5 lead.

Sean Manaea struggled his way through 6 innings. Kutter Crawford pitched the 7th, Kervin Castro pitched the 8th, and A. J. Puk struck out the side in the 9th for his 8th save.

Needing a double to complete the cycle, Santander grounded out to 2B Rougned Odor in the 7th.

Final Score: Charlotte 6, Washington 5
WP: S. Manaea (2-3)
LP: B. Pounders (0-1)
SV: A. Puk (8)
Record: 12-10
Player of the Game: Anthony Santander

News: Juan Soto's 20-game hitting streak came to an end

TRANSACTION: Charlotte traded P Vince Velazquez, 2B Yunior Severino, OF Canaan Smith-Njiba, and OF Quincy Hamilton to the LA Dodgers, receiving 3B Miguel Vargas, RP Nick Robertson, INF Devin Mann, P Heisel Baro, and OF James Outman in return.

The original purpose of the trade was to clear a roster spot for Elehuris Montero, who was added to the active roster. The trade ended up being a bigger one than originally anticipated. None of the acquisitions are top prospects, but 1 or 2 of them could become useful pieces. Vargas has the potential to be solid player or better, and he is probably a better 3B than either Brandon Drury or Owen Miller, who are currently manning the position. Outman has hit well on the minors and, at 25, has earned a look.

Vargas, Mann, Outman, and Robertson were sent to AAA. Baro was sent to AA.

The Knights DFA'd Clint Frazier and Harold Ramirez to make room on the 40-man roster.

[TribeTown]

Game #23 – April 22 – Knights Field

Adam Frazier's double into the LF corner with 2 outs in the bottom of the 3rd scored Ryan McKenna to give Charlotte a 1-0 lead. Joan Adon struck out Jhonkensey Noel with 2 runners in scoring position to keep it a 1 run game.

Brandon Drury led off the bottom of the 4th with his 2nd HR of the year, a 403 foot shot to right-centerfield. Justin Yurchak homered in the 5th to cut Charlotte's lead to 2-1.

Braxton Garrett pitched 7 strong innings, allowing 1 run on 5 hits while striking out 4 and walking 1. He also hit a batter. Austin Adams relieved to start the 8th and retired the side in order.

Noel singled to lead off the bottom of the 8th inning. Drury followed with a double. After Elehuris Montero popped out to 2B and Mike Gerber drew a walk to load the bases, McKenna struck out and Connor Wong grounded out to shortstop.

Juan Soto led off the 9th with a long single to left, which Frazier played well to keep Soto at 1st base. A. J. Puk got Carter Kieboom to hit into a nicely-turned 4-6-3 (Miller-Iglesias-Noel) double play. Curtis Mead singled to keep Washington's hopes alive, but Thairo Estrada grounded out to Jose Iglesias at short to end the game.

Final Score: Charlotte 2, Washington 1
WP: B. Garrett (2-0)
LP: J. Adon (2-1)
SV: A. Puk (9)
Record: 13-10
Player of the Game: Braxton Garrett

[TribeTown]

Game #24 – April 23 – Knights Field

Colten Wong hit his 3rd home run of the season, a 3-run shot in the 2nd, to put Charlotte in the lead. Ryan McKenna hit a 2-out single and scored on Owen Miller's double into the left field corner.

Carter Kieboom's 4th inning double scored a run for Washington. Kieboom later scored on a fielder's choice. Otherwise, Danny Duffy pitched well, helped by 2 double plays.

The Knights added an insurance run in the bottom of the 8th on a bases-loaded single by Anthony Santander. Ricky DiVito pitched the final 3 innings, allowing 1 hit and striking out 4, for his 1st major league save.

Final Score: Charlotte 5, Washington 2
WP: D. Duffy (2-2)
LP: J. Gray (2-3)
SV: R. DeVito (1)
Record: 14-10
Player of the Game: Danny Duffy

[TribeTown]

April 24 – Off Day

News: Pittsburgh lost their 2nd SP this month as Roansy Contreras will miss at least 4 months with a partially torn labrum.

[TribeTown]

Charlotte travels to Cincinnati to take on the 12-12 Reds. Here are the pitching matchups for the series:

John Means (2-0, 2.59) vs. Tony Santillan (0-3, 7.00)
Mike Clevinger (2-1, 2.61) vs. Luis Castillo (1-2, 4.99)
Sean Manaea (2-3, 5.28) vs. Hunter Greene (1-2, 4.06)

Game #25 – April 25 – Great American Ballpark

Anthony Santander doubled into the RF corner with 2 outs in the top of the 1st to give Charlotte an early 2-0 lead. Conner Wong hit a 408 foot shot to left-center, his 4th home run of the year, in the 2nd. Santander connected for home run #6 (419 feet to RF) in the 3rd. Jhonkensey Noel singled home a run in the 4th and the Knights led 5-0.

Meanwhile John Means cruised through the first 4 innings. The Reds got on the board when Adam Engel mashed a 2-run home run to dead center. When the Reds loaded the bases with 2 outs in the 6th, the Knights summoned Logan Allen from the bullpen. Daniel Vellojin greeted Allen with a bases-clearing double over CF Mike Gerber's head to tie the game. Gerber threw out Vellojin at 3rd base to end the inning.

Santander led off the 8th with a double, but he was stranded at 3rd. Kervin Castro struck out the side in the bottom of the inning, but the Knights could get nothing going in the 9th. Engel tripled off Castro to lead off the bottom of the 9th. Vellojin then hit a fly ball to medium center, but it was deep enough for Engel to score for the walk-off Reds win.

Final Score: Cincinnati 6, Charlotte 5
WP: L. Sims (1-0)
LP: K. Castro (0-1)
Record: 14-11
Player of the Game: Adam Engel

[TribeTown]

Game #26 – April 26 – Great American Ballpark

Jonathan India's 7th HR of the season put the Reds up 1-0 in the bottom of the 1st. Adam Engel's 3-run home run in the 4th made it 4-0. Mike Clevinger didn't fool many Reds batters, allowing 4 runs on 7 hits and walking 2 in only 4 innings of work.

Engel's 2nd home run of the day (off of Joe Barlow) plated 2 runs in the 6th. Colin Moran plated 2 more runs on a 7th inning double to make it an 8-0 game.

Luis Castillo was dominant, pitching 7 shutout innings.

Joey Votto poured it on with a 2-run home run down the RF line off of Jorge Alcala in the 8th. They were the1st runs Alcala had allowed this season.

It was the Reds' 5th win in a row.

Final Score: Cincinnati 10, Charlotte 0
WP: L. Castillo (2-2)
LP: M. Clevinger (2-2)
Record: 14-12
Player of the Game: Adam Engel

[TribeTown]

Game #27 – April 27 – Great American Ballpark

Owen Miller got the Knights off to a good start, taking Hunter Greene deep in the 1st to give Charlotte an early 1-0 lead. The Reds tied it on Nick Senzel's bomb to left to lead off the bottom of the 7th. Austin Adams relieved Manaea and retired the side.

Owen Miller hit a 2-out single in the 10th and Jhoneksey Noel followed with a double over LF Max Schrock's head to score Miller, giving Charlotte a 2-1 lead. A. J. Puk retired the side in the bottom.of the inning for his 10th save

Final Score: Charlotte 2, Cincinnati 1 (10 innings) – Great American Ballpark
WP: R. DiVito (1-0)
LP: M. Figueroa (3-1)
SV: A. Puk (10)
Record: 15-12
Player of the Game: Hunter Greene

[TribeTown]

Charlotte hosts the 18-9 Mets. The pitching matchups are:

Chris Bassitt (2-0, 2.27) vs. Danny Duffy (2-2, 6.38)
Joey Lucchesi (2-1, 6.49) vs. Braxton Garrett (2-0, 1.38)
Tylor Megill (0-1, 0.57) vs. John Means (2-0, 3.60)


Game #28 – April 28 – Knights Field

Jhonkensey Noel blasted a 409 foot home run in the 1st to give the Knights the early lead. The Knights added a run in the 3rd when Adam Frazier doubled and Noel singled him home. Owen Miller followed with a single that scored Noel to make it 3-0. Charlotte seemed to break the game open when Anthony Santander and Mike Gerber drew walks to load the bases and Danny Santana blooped a single over 2B Jeff McNeil's head to make it 5-0. The Mets summoned Caleb Smith from the bullpen and he retired Colten Wong to end the inning.

The Mets scored twice in the 5th on a 2-run triple by McNeil. New York scored twice more in the 5th on a Jose Iglesias error and an RBI groundout. Anthony Santander made a spectacular catch in right with a runner at 2nd to end the inning and preserve the lead.

Noel led off the bottom of the 5th with his 3rd hit of the game, a double to left, and scored when Miller singled up the middle to make it a 6-4 game. Miller went deep to left to lead off the bottom of the 7th to give the Knights a 7-4 lead. The Knights poured it on in the 8th when Noel smashed a double into the gap in left to score Ryan McKenna, Miller grounded out to score another run, and Santander mashed a 387 foot home run to right. Gerber followed with a 435 foot home run to dead center to make it 12-4. The Mets tallied a run in the 9th.

Noel went 4-5 and fell a triple short of the cycle. He scored 4 times (new team record!) and drove in 3 runs. (Noel's 4 hits are also a new team record.) Miller went 3-4 and collected 4 RBIs. Santander and Gerber also went 3-4.

Final Score: Charlotte 12, NY Mets 5
WP: D. Duffy (3-2)
LP: C. Bassitt (2-1)
Record: 16-12
Player of the Game: Jhonkensey Noel

TRANSACTION: Recalled C Aramis Garcia from rehab assignment. DFA'd C Wilson Ramos (refused demotion to AAA)

[TribeTown]

Game #29 – April 29 – Knights Field

A 2-out Pete Alonso single in the top of the 3rd gave the Mets a 1-0 lead. Miguel Sano followed with a 3-run home run to left to make it 4-0.

Aramis Garcia collected his 1st hit as a Knight with 2 on and 2 out in the bottom of the 4th to make it a 4-1 game. Charlotte tied it in the 5th when Owen Miler tripled with 1 out and scored on a throwing error by 2B Jeff McNeil. Jhonkensey Noel ended up at 2nd on the play. Anthony Santander walked and Danny Santana doubled down the LF line to score Noel and Santander to make it 4-4.

Logan Allen relieved Braxton Garrett with 1 on and 1 out in the 6th. He retired the side in the 6th but gave up a lead-off homer to Sano in the 7th. Allen walked the first 2 men in the 8th and the Knights turned to Joe Barlow, who gave up a bloop single to Starling Marte. Brandon Nimmo popped to 2nd, but Pete Alonso hit a fly ball to center deep enough to score Khalil Lee and make it 6-4. Sano struck out to end the inning.

Santander doubled leading off the bottom of the 8th. The Knights eventually loaded the bases with 2 outs but could not score. Charlotte went quietly in the 9th.

Final Score: NY Mets 6, Charlotte 4
WP: L. Lucchesi (3-1)
LP: L. Allen (0-2)
SV: S. Lugo (5)
Record: 16-13
Player of the Game: Miguel Sano

[TribeTown]

Game #30 – April 30 – Knights Field

The Knights found themselves in a hole early as Starling Marte led off the game with a double and Brandon Nimmo followed with a home run to center. Pete Alonso singled before John Means retired Miguel Sano for the first out. J. D. Davis and Jeff McNeil followed with singles, but Means got a big assist from Mike Gerber in center field, who threw out Davis at the plate. Francisco Lindor then hit one over Gerber's head to make it 4-0. Mark Canha singled and then Means uncorked a wild pitch to score Lindor. James McCann and Marte followed with back-to-back singles to plate another run. Means hit Nimmo with a pitch before retiring Alonso to end the inning.

Kole Calhoun belted his 2nd home run in the bottom of the 2nd to get Charlotte on the board.

Means got through the 2nd and 3rd innings without further damage before 3 straight hits in the 4th plated 2 more runs and drove him from the game. Ricky DeVito relieved. Another Mets run scored courtesy of a Jose Iglesias error, which shut the door on a truly awful day for John Means (3 IP, 9 R, 8 ER, 12 H, 0 K, 1BB, 1 HB).

The Knights scored a run in the bottom of the inning on an Elehuris Montero single, but the Mets continued to pour it on. Lindor homered in the 5th and the Mets added 2 more in the 6th. Mike Gerber homered in the bottom of the 6th (#5) to make it 12-3.

Ryan McKenna pitched the 9th and allowed 8 runs.

Final Score: NY Mets 21, Charlotte 3
WP: T. Megill (1-1)
LP: J. Means: 2-1
Record: 16-14
Player of the Game: Brandon Nimmo

[TribeTown]

The Knights traveled to Colorado to take on the Rockies. Here are the.pitching matchups:

Mike Clevinger (2-2, 3.34) vs. Anibal Sanchez (0-3, 7.96)
Sean Manaea (2-3, 4.66) vs. Artie Lewicki (2-2, 6.57)
Danny Duffy (3-2, 5.90) vs. Nabil Crismatt (1-3, 3.80)

Game #31 – May 1 – Coors Field

The Knights got off to a good start, scoring a run in the top of the 1st on a Jhonkensey Noel sac fly. On a bad note, Adam Frazier had to leave the game after sliding into second. Danny Santana replaced him in LF. The Rockies tied it in the bottom of the inning on Ryan McMahon's RBI single. After McMahon stole 2nd, Shogo Akiyama singled to left and McMahon was thrown out at the plate in a strong throw by Santana. Santana threw out Elias Diaz at the plate with 2 out in the 3rd to preserve the 1-1 tie.

Charlotte took a 3-1 lead in the 4th when Anthony Santander doubled to lead off the inning and, after Mike Gerber was retired, Elihuris Montero unloaded a 430 foot bomb to center against his former team. The Rockies tied the game in the bottom of the inning on an Abraham Almonte single and a Ezequiel Tovar double.

With 2 outs in the top of the 5th, Montero, Kole Calhoun and Connor Wong hit back-to-back-to-back singles to make it a 4-3 game. Owen Miller singled home Calhoun and reliever Miguel Del Pozo hit Santana to load the bases. Pozo struck out Noel to end the inning.

Mike Clevinger walked Akiyama and Charlie Blackmon to start the bottom of the 6th, and Charlotte called on Jorge Alcara from the bullpen. Alcala walked Almonte, but Tovar hit into a 5-2 force play at the plate, and Elias Diaz and Josh Rojas struck out to end the inning.

Joe Barlow retired the side in order in the 7th, but Blackmon tied the game with a 2-run home run off Kervin Castro in the 8th.

Santana doubled to lead off the 9th and Noel followed with a walk. Julian Fernandez struck out Santander and Gerber, but Brandon Drury came through in the clutch once again, as he seemingly has done all season, doubling down the 1B line to score both runs and to put the Knights back in front, 7-5. A. J. Puk survived a double by Kris Bryant and an infield single by Connor Joe to earn his 11th save. The Rockies fell ro 10-21 on the season with the loss.

Final Score: Charlotte 7, Colorado 5
WP: K. Castro (1-1)
LP: J. Fernandez (2-1)
SV: A. Puk (11)
Record: 17-14
Player of the Game: Elehuris Montero

TRANSACTION: Placed Adam Frazier on the 10-day IL with a latissimus dorsi strain. Purchased Miguel Vargas' contract from AAA.

No one expected Vargas to be called up this soon when he was acquired a few days ago, but it will be a good chance to see what he can do.

[TribeTown]

Game #32 – May 2 – Coors Field

Owen Miller's 2-run HR to RF with 2 outs in the top of the 3rd put Charlotte ahead 2-0. The Rockies tied it in the bottom of the inning on a 2-run HR by Josh Rojas.

The Knights loaded the bases with nobody out in the 4th but failed to score. The big play for Colorado happened when Elehuris Montero tapped a ball in front of the plate. Don Nunez sprang from behind the plate and fielded it quickly, stepped on the dish, and threw to first to complete the double play. Nunez singled home a run in the bottom of the inning to put Colorado ahead 3-2. Kris Bryant homered to left in the 5th.

Jhonkensey Noel singled to lead off the 6th and Brandon Drury belted the next Artie Lewicki pitch into the stratosphere to tie the game at 4.

Logan Allen pitched a clean 6th, but Rojas singled and Michael Toglia doubled to lead off the bottom of the 7th. The Knights summoned Ricky DeVito from the bullpen and Bryant greeted him with a single to left past a drawn-in infield to make it 5-4. DeVito walked Randall Grichuck to load the bases, then struck out Connor Joe and got Ezekiel Tovar to hit a weak ground ball back to the mound that resulted in a force out at the plate. DeVito walked Akiyama and McMahon to bring home 2 more runs before Nunez singled to left to make it a 9-4 game. Rojas flew out to right to end the inning.

The Knights came back in the 8th when Miller doubled and scored on a throwing error by Tovar. Drury doubled home Noel. Santander was safe (Drury going to 3rd) on another error by Tovar. Reliever Jose Alvarez got Calhoun to hit into a 4-6-3 double play, scoring Drury to make it 9-7. Then the skies opened up, and the game was delayed for 65 minutes When play resumed, Montero socked a 385-foot shot to left to make it 9-8. Pinch hitter Michael Vargas flew out to the warning track in left to end the inning.

Austin Adams retired the side in order in the bottom of the inning, and Jose Iglesias led off the 9th with an infield single. Iglesias was hurt and, after Ryan McKenna struck out, pinch runner Danny Santana stole 2B. Miller grounded to 1B, Santana going to 3rd. Noel flew out to center to end the game.

Final Score: Colorado 9, Charlotte 8
WP: E. Fedde (1-0)
LP: L. Allen (0-3)
SV: J. Fernandez (5)
Record: 17-15
Player of the Game: Brandon Drury

TRADE – Traded 1B Matt Thaiss to Texas in exchange for OF Eli White and P Glenn Otto. Both White and Otto sent to AAA. DFA's C Blake Hunt to make room on the 40 man roster.

Thaiss is a big league veteran who was never going to be promoted to Charlotte. He may have a chance to play in Texas, and the Knights receive two potentially useful players in return.

[TribeTown]

Game #33 – May 3 – Coors Field

Ryan McKenna took Neil Crismatt's 1st pitch of the game and deposited it 399 feet down the LF line. Connor Wong hit HR #5 to lead off the 3rd, giving Charlotte a 2-0 lead. Elehuris Montero singled home 2 more runs later in the inning.

Michael Toglia's 2-run homer in the bottom of the inning cut Charlotte's lead to 4-2.

The Knights added to their lead on Brandon Drury's RBI groundout in the 5th, but the Rockies got the run back on Toglia's single in the bottom of the inning. Kole Calhoun singled home a run in the 6th. Owen Miller drew a bases-loaded walk, Drury singled home a run, and Montero doubled into the right-centerfield gap to score 2 more and make it a 10-3 game.

Colorado scored 3 times in the 7th to make it 10-6. Miguel Vargas collected his first RBIs as a Knight with a 2 run double in the 8th.

Jose Iglesias was diagnosed with a sprained ankle and will miss 5 weeks. This is a problem as there is no other real shortstop on the roster (the Knights traded Yunior Severino in the Vargas deal). The choice came down to Cole Tucker, Bryson Brigham, and Ji-hwan Bae. It was decided that Tucker, who opened the season on the major league roster, will get the first opportunity to establish himself in the team's plans. He came up originally as a shortstop with the Pirates.

Final Score: Charlotte 12, Colorado 6
WP: D. Duffy (4-2)
LP: N. Crismatt (1-2)
Record: 18-15
Player of the Game: Elihuris Montero

TRANSACTION: Placed Jose Iglesias in the 10-day Injured List. Purchased the contract of Cole Tucker from AA. DFA'd Logan Allen (to make room on the 40 man roster). Purchased the contract of Nick Robertson from AAA (to replace Allen on the active roster).