Charlotte Knights Expansion Franchise (2023)

[TribeTown]

Game # 53 – May 25 – PNC Park

Bryan Reynolds singled home the first run of the game in the bottom of the 3rd inning.

Danny Duffy pitched well, allowing just the 1 run before leaving the game with an injury in the bottom of the 5th. Joe Barlow came on in relief. Vidal Brujan tripled to leadoff the 6th and went to 3B on a fly ball to the wall in right by Ryan McKenna. Brandon Drury drew a walk. Jhonkensey Noel hit a tapper to the mound and Brujan had to hold at 3B, although the Pirates only got 1 out. Dylan File then struck out Andy Ibanez to end Charlotte's best threat of the day. Pittsburgh made it 2-0 on a Trey Mancini single in the bottom of the inning. A Ke'Bryan Hayes single made it 3-0. Nick Gonzalez then belted a 3-run home run to center to make it 6-0. Pittsburgh added another run in the 7th.

Charlotte scored a run on a wild pitch in the 8th. Vidal Brujan connected for a 2-run home run in the 9th.

Final Score: Pittsburgh 9, Charlotte 3
WP: D. File (2-1)
LP: D. Duffy (4-4)
Record: 29-24
Player of the Game: Dylan File

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Game # 54 – May 26 – PNC Park

Matthew Frazier's 2-run double gave Pittsburgh the lead in the bottom.of the 1st inning. Ke'Bryan Hayes singled home another run before Braxton Garrett got out of the inning.

Danny Santana hit a 424-foot HR to right-centerfield in the 2nd to make it 3-1. Jhonkensey Noel and Andy Ibanez hit back-to-back 2-out singles in the 3rd, and Elihuris Montero doubled them home to tie the game.

Oneil Cruz hit his 11th home runs in the bottom of the 5th to put the Pirates ahead, 4-3. The Knights tied it in 1B Jesus Aguilar's error in the top of the 7th. Cruz hit his 2nd home run of the game in the bottom of the inning to put Pittsburgh back in front. The Pirates made it 6-4 on an Aguliar double. Trey Mancini homered off of Ricky DiVito in the 8th to make it 7-4.

Final Score: Pittsburgh 7, Charlotte 4
WP: Y. De Los Santos (1-1)
LP: B. Garrett (4-2)
SV: D. Bednar (9)
Record: 29-25
Player of the Game: Oneil Cruz

TRANSACTION: Optioned Miguel Vargas to AAA. Placed Jesus Sanchez on the active roster. DFA'd OF Travis Demeritte to make room on the 40 man roster.

News: Milwaukee star Josh Hader will miss the rest of the season with a torn rotator cuff.

[TribeTown]

The Knights host the Dodgers (42-12). Here are the pitching matchups:

Andre Jackson (4-1, 3.78) vs. John Means (3-2, 5.40)
Walker Buehler (5-3, 4.75) vs. Mike Clevinger (4-3, 4.06)
Clayton Kershaw (7-1, 3.75) vs. Sean Manaea (3-6, 5.71)

Game # 55 – May 27 – Knights Field

The Dodgers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning, and made it 2-0 on a Zach McKinstry double in the 2nd. Owen Miller broke out of his slump with a 2-run double in the bottom of 2nd to tie the game.

Cody Bellinger doubled home a run in the 4th to give the Dodgers a 3-2 lead. Will Smith followed with his 5th HR of the year to make it a 5-2 game. Smith hit his 2nd HR of the game, a 2-run shot, off of Kutter Crawford in the 6th to make it 7-2. The Dodgers added another run on a McKinstry double in the 8th.

AJ Puk entered the game in the 9th to get some work and left after 2 batters with an injury.

Final Score: LA Dodgers 8, Charlotte 2
WP: A. Jackson (5-1)
LP: J. Means (3-3)
SV: R. Piepot (1)
Record: 29-26
Player of the Game: Will Smith

TRANSACTION: A. J. Puk was placed on the 15-day Injured List with an oblique strain. Purchased Glenn Otto's contract from AAA.

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

[TribeTown]

Game #56 – May 28 – Knights Field

The Dodgers scored 2 runs before Mike Clevinger recorded an out and led 3-0 after the 1st half-inning. The Knights loaded the bases in the bottom of the 1st but could not score. Jhonkensey Noel hit his 11th home.run of the season, a 387 foot shot to LF to lead off the bottom of the 4th.

Clevinger settled down after this rough 1st inning and shut out the Dodgers over the next five. He struck out 9 batters. Nick Robertson relieved to start the 7th and retired the side in order. Austin Adams pitched a scoreless 8th but gave up a run in the 9th.

The Knights managed just 5 hits and could never really get anything going against Dodgers pitching after the 1st inning.

Final Score: LA Dodgers 4, Charlotte 1
WP: W. Buehler (6-3)
LP: M. Clevinger (4-4)
SV: B. Graterol (22)
Record: 29-27
Player of the Game: Walker Buehker

[TribeTown]

Game #57 – May 29 – Knights Field

Jhonkensey Noel's 1st inning home run gave the Knights a 1-0 lead. Brandon Drury hit his 8th home run of the year, a 408 foot shot to right-centerfield, in the bottom of the 5th to make it 2-0.

Mookie Betts and Max Muncy connected for back-to-back home runs off Sean Manaea in the 6th to tie the game. After Cody Bellinger singled with 2 outs, Kutter Crawford relieved Manner and retired Will Smith to end the inning.

The Dodgers took the lead in the 7th when Yunior Severino and Eguy Rosario hit back-to-back doubles off of Crawford. Freddie Freeman later singled home Rosario to make it 4-2, and Joe Barlow relieved Crawford. Muncy greeted him with a home run to right, plating 3 more runs and giving the Dodgers a 7-2 lead. Freeman added a 2-run homer off of Barlow in the 8th.

Noel connected for his 2nd home run in the bottom of the 8th to give Knights fans something to cheer about. The 2-run shot traveled 354 feet down the LF line and made the score 9-4.

Final Score: LA Dodgers 9, Charlotte 4
WP: C. Kershaw (8-1)
LP: K. Crawford (3-1)
Record: 29-28
Player of the Game: Max Muncy

TRANSACTION: Traded Danny Santana to Texas in exchange for minor league RP Chase Lee. Activated Mike Gerber from the IL.

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The Knights travel to Atlanta to take on the 24-32 Braves. The pitching matchups for the series are:

Danny Duffy (4-4, 4.75) vs. Mike Soroka (3-6, 6.66)
Braxton Garrett (4-2, 3.65) vs. Zach Eflin (1-4, 5.13)
John Means (3-3, 5.86) vs. Ian Anderson (3-3, 3.59)


Game #58 – May 30 – Truist Park

Mike Soroka walked Vidal Brujan to start the game and then had to leave the game with an injury. Daniel Hudson relieved. Brandon Drury singled home 2 runs later in the inning to give Charlotte the lead. Anthony Santander followed with a double off the top of the CF wall to score Drury and make it 3-0. The Knights made it 4-0 in the 2nd inning when Owen Miller scored on an Evan Marshall wild pitch.

The Braves loaded the bases in the 3rd, but Danny Duffy struck out Ozzie Albies to end the threat. Atlanta scored 3 times in the 4th on Phil Gosselin's RBI double and a 2-run home run from Marcell Ozuna. William Contreras tied it with his 6th HR of the year in the 5th. An Eddie Rosario base hit drove Duffy from the game. Glenn Otto made his Charlotte debut with runners at the corners and 2 outs. Otto got Luke Waddell to hit a foul pop to Jhonkensey Noel to end the inning.

Miller came through with a clutch 2-out single to center in the top of the 6th, scoring Santander and putting the Knights back on top. Two batters later, Vidal Brujan beat out an infield hit. Miller scored to make it a 6-4 game. The Knights added 2 insurance runs in the 8th on Brujan's RBI groundout and Noel's RBI single.

Otto pitched 2.2 scoreless innings. Nick Robertson got the final 5 outs of the game.

Final Score: Charlotte 8, Atlanta 4
WP: G. Otto (1-0)
LP: C. Knebel (0-2)
Record: 30-28
Player of the Game: Owen Miller

Game Notes: This was Glenn Otto's 1st major league win. He had pitched 30 innings with Texas in 2022 and 2023 and had lost all 3 of his decisions.

News: San Francisco OF Mike Yastrzemski is expected to miss 8-9 months (the rest of the season) with a broken bone in his elbow. Mets SS Francisco Lindor went on the IL with back spasms and is expected to be out for 4-5 weeks. Red Sox DH J. D. Martinez hit career HR #300 in a Boston victory over the Angels.

[TribeTown]

Game #59 – May 31 – Truist Park

Andy Ibanez scored on Mike Gerber's RBI groundout in the 2nd to give the Knights a 1-0 lead. The Braves scored twice in the bottom of the 3rd. Owen Miller hit his 8th home run, a 403-foot shot to center field, in the 5th. Ronald Acuna doubled home a run in the bottom of the inning. Charlotte led 4-3 after 5.

Anthony Santander socked HR #11 to lead off the 6th. Mike Gerber and Jesus Sanchez followed with back-to-back singles, and then Ryan McKenna belt a 3-run finger 410 feet into the LF stands.

Austin Adams, Kutter Crawford, and Kervin Castro combined to.pitch 4 shutout innings to close out the game.

Final Score: Charlotte 8, Atlanta 3
WP: B. Garrett (5-2)
LP: Z. Eflin (1-5)
Record: 31-28
Player of the Game: Ryan McKenna

News: Jhonkensey Noel was named N. L. Rookie of the Month for May. Overall, he batted .308 with 8 home runs and 17 RBIs during the month.

[TribeTown]

Game #60 – June 1 – Truist Park

Ryan McKenna smacked a sharp single to right to score a run, and Jhonkensey Noel followed later in the 3rd inning with a home run to give Charlotte a 3-0 lead. The Knights added another run on Vidal Brujan's infield single in the 4th. Charlotte scored again on Owen Miller's groundout. Brandon Drury singled home Charlotte's 6th run in the 7th. Elehuris Montero put an exclamation point on the game with a grand slam home run (407 feet to right-centerfield) to make it 10-0.

Meanwhile, John Means was simply outstanding until Ozzie Albies connected for a 2-run home run in the 8th.

Final Score: Charlotte 10, Atlanta 2
WP: J. Means (4-3)
LP: I. Anderson (3-4)
Record: 32-28
Player of the Game: Elehuris Montero

News: Pittsburgh traded P Lou Trivino to Boston in exchange for minor league OF Zach Hogueisson.

[TribeTown]

June 2 – Off Day

The Knights travel to Philadelphia to take in the 37-23 Phillies. The Phillies currently.lead the N. L. East vy 1 game. Here are the pitching matchups:

Mike Clevinger (4-4, 4.10) vs. Charlie Morton (4-1, 4.69)
Sean Manaea (3-6, 5.00) vs. Christopher Sanchez (0-0, 4.11)
Danny Duffy (4-4, 4.91) vs. Ranger Suarez (7-1, 3.48)

Game #61 – June 3 – Citizens Bank Park

Johan Camargo connected for his 8th home run of the season in the bottom of the 3rd inning to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead. Philadelphia scored twice in the 4th.

Elihuris Montero led off the 5th with his 7th home run, a 364 foot shot down the LF line.

The Phillies exploded for 5 runs in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by a 3-run home run by Kyle Schwarber.

Jesus Sanchez connected for his 1st home run as a Knight in the 6th, a 2-run shot to make the score 8-3.

Philadelphia added a run off Glenn Otto in the 7th on a Nick Castellanos double, and scored again in the 8th.

Montero scored on a wild pitch in the 9th.

Final Score: Philadelphia 10, Charlotte 4
WP: C. Morton (5-1)
LP: M. Clevinger (4-5)
SV: I. Nova (1)
Record: 32-29
Player of the Game: Bryson Stott

News: Dodgers 2B Zach McKinstry will miss the rest of the season with a ruptured MCL.

[TribeTown]

Game #62 – June 4 – Citizens Bank Park


Ryan McKenna blasted a 398-foot home run to left (his 7th) to leadoff the game. The Phillies tied it in the 3rd on Nick Castellanos' sacrifice fly.

Sean Manaea made his best start in a month but gave up 2 runs in the 6th on a Bryson Stott single as the Phillies took a 3-1 lead.

Trailing 3-1, Owen Miller doubled to lead off the 9th. Jhonkensey Noel grounded out ro 3B, Miller advancing to 3rd, and Andy Ibanez followed with a fly ball to deep right that Bryce Harper caught at the wall. Miller scored on the sacrifice fly to make it 3-2. Adam Leverett struck out Elihuris Montero to end the game.

Final Score: Philadelphia 3, Charlotte 2
WP: R. Suarez (8-1)
LP: S. Manaea (3-7)
SV: A. Leverett (4)
Record: 32-30
Player of the Game: Ranger Suarez

TRADE: With Zach McKinstry out, the Knights dangled veteran Adam Frazier and the Dodgers agreed to make a deal. The Knights traded Frazier and minor leaguers Paul Campbell and Garrett Schoenle, receiving P Michael Grove, RP Alex Vesia, and INF/OF Michael Busch. Grove, Vesia, and Busch were all assigned to AAA.

The Knights purchased the contract of Jason Kipnis from AAA to round out the 26-man roster.

[TribeTown]

Game #63 – June 5 – Citizens Bank Park

Owen Miller singled home the game's first run in the top of the 2nd inning. Ryan McKenna scored on a Brandon Drury double in the 3rd to make it 2-0. The Phillies got a run back in the bottom of the inning.

Danny Duffy was solid for the first 4 innings. The Phillies tied the game on a wild pitch in the 5th and took a 3-2 lead on a Nick Castellanos single. After Bryce Harper drew a walk to load the bases with 1 out, Nick Robertson was summoned from the bullpen. Kyle Schwarber grounded into a fielder's choice, scoring another run. J. T. Realmuto followed with a single that scored 2 more and gave the Phillies a 6-2 lead. Castellanos doubled home 2 more runs in the 6th.

Zack Wheeler was impressive, pitching 8 innings. He allowed only 2 baserunners after the 3rd inning.

Final Score: Philadelphia 8, Charlotte 2
WP: Z. Wheeler (5-6)
LP: D. Duffy (4-5)
Record: 32-31
Player of the Game: Zack Wheeler

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The Knights return home to take on the 31-32 Milwaukee Brewers. Here are the pitching matchups:

Freddy Peralta (3-5, 4.04) vs. Braxton Garrett (5-2, 3.81)
Corbin Burnes (6-4, 3.87) vs. John Means (4-3, 5.43)
Brandon Woodruff (6-3, 3.16) vs. Mike Clevinger (4-5, 4.56)

Game #64 – June 6 – Knights Field

Vidal Brujan singled with 1 out in the bottom of the 1st inning, stole 2nd, and scored on Jhonkensey Noel's RBI single.

Jesus Sanchez made an incredible catch to rob Hunter Refroe of at least a double in the 2nd inning. Christian Yelich and Jose Abreu followed with back-to-back singles, but Brujan made a perfect 1-hop throw from center to nail Yelich as he tried to go to 3rd on Abreu's hit. The 2 outstanding defensive plays kept at least 1 run off the board.

The Brewers tied the game on a Luis Urias double in the 5th. Braxton Garrett got out of a bases-loaded jam to end the inning. At 93 pitches, that was the end of his day.

Jason Kipnis laced a single to right with 1 out in the bottom of the inning. It was his 1st hit as a Knight, but he was stranded at 1st base.

Kutter Crawford took the mound to start the 6th, relieving Garrett. He pitched a 1-2-3 inning before giving way to Glenn Otto. Otto pitched 2 shutout innings, retiring all 6 men he faced.

Abreu greeted reliever Kervin Castro with a double down the 3B line to lead off the 9th. Mitch Garver followed with a double to the wall in right-center as the Brewers took the lead. After a mound visit, Castro got out of the inning without any further damage.

Brandon Drury came through in the clutch again! With 2 on and 2 out, Drury (pinch hitting for Connor Wong) singled to right to tie the game at 2. Jake Cousins retired Kipnis to end the inning as the game went to extras.

Andy Ibanez walked to lead off the bottom of the 11th and went to 3rd on Ryan McKenna's single (McKenna pinch-ran for Elihuris Montero earlier in the game). Aaron Ashby then balked with Sanchez at the plate and the Knights had a walk-off win.

Final Score: Charlotte 3, Milwaukee 2 (11 innings)
WP: A. Adams (1-1)
LP: A. Ashby (3-3)
Record: 33-31
Player of the Game: Freddy Peralta

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Game #65 – June 7 – Knights Field

The Brewers took a 1-0 on Jose Abreu's RBI single in the 2nd inning. Jason Kipnis doubled home a run in the bottom of the inning to tie it.

Jesus Sanchez made another outstanding catch in right field in the bottom of the 6th.

John Means was outstanding, allowing 1 run on 3 hits while striking out 9 in 7.2 innings of work. After Means walked Victor Caratini, Joe with 2 outs in the 8th, Joe Barlow was summoned from the bullpen. Barlow struck out Garrett Mitchell to end the inning.

Two Charlotte errors – both by SS Vidal Brujan – lead to a Brewers run in the 9th.

Elihuris Montero drew a walk to.lead off the bottom of the 9th. Andy Ibanez pinch ran for Montero. After Anthony Santander popped out to 2B, Jesus Sanchez laced a double into the right-centerfield gap. Ibanez scored to tie the game, but Sanchez was thrown out trying to go to 3rd.

Mitchell tripled home the go-ahead run in the 10th and Jeimer Candelario followed with a single to make it 4-2.

Final Score: Milwaukee 4, Charlotte 2 (10 innings)
WP: C. Burnes (7-4)
LP: J. Barlow (2-2)
SV: A. Ashby (2)
Record: 33-32
Player of the Game: Corbin Burnes

News: Kansas City traded Scott Barlow to the NY Mets in exchange for minor league P Marcos Rodriguez.

[TribeTown]

Game #66 – June 8 – Knights Field

Garrett Mitchell took Mike Clevinger deep to lead off the game. The Knights tied it in the bottom of the inning when Ryan McKenna led off with a single, stole 2nd, and scored on an Andy Ibanez double. Anthony Santander followed with a double to score Ibanez and Charlotte led 2-1 after 1. Mike Clevinger held the lead until Christian Yelich hit a 2-out, bases loaded single in the 5th.

Kutter Crawford relieved Clevinger to start the 6th and pitched 3 shutout innings. Jorge Alcala pitched a scoreless 9th.

The Knights could get nothing going against Brandon Woodruff after the 1st inning. Devin Williams relieved Woodruff in the 9th hoping to pick up the save, but after Williams retired Brandon Drury, Jhonkensey Noel blasted a 420 foot home run to left field to tie the game. Ibanez grounded.out to short, but Santander doubled down the RF line. The Brewers elected to intentionally walk Jesus Sanchez, but Owen Miller lined out to 2B to end the inning.

The Knights loaded the bases with 1 out in the bottom of the 11th. Abner Uribe relieved Jake Cousins and walked Owen Miller to give Charlotte their 2nd walkoff win of the series.

Final Score: Charlotte 4, Milwaukee 3 (11 innings)
WP: Austin Adams (2-1)
LP: J. Cousins (0-3)
Record: 34-32
Player of the Game: Brandon Woodruff.

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The Knights travel to Washington to take on the 28-38 Nationals. The pitching matchups are:
Sean Manaea (3-7, 4.96) vs. Logan Verrett (0-0, 0.00)
Danny Duffy (4-5, 6.38) vs. Joan Adon (5-5, 5.85)
Braxton Garrett (5-2, 3.64) vs. Tyler Anderson (6-2, 4.70)

Game #67 – June 9 – Nationals Park

The Nationals jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Carter Kieboom's 1st inning single. Kieboom's 2-run home runs in the 3rd made it 3-0.

Ryan McKenna and Owen Miller hit back-to-back singles to lead off the 4th. After Logan Verrett retired the next 2 batters, Jesus Sanchez tied the game with a home runs that just cleared the right-centerfield wall. Anthony Santander beat out an infield single, Brandon Driry laced a single to right, and Mike Gerber ripped a double into the left-centerfield gap to give Charlotte a 5-3 lead.

Thairo Estrada doubled home a run in the bottom of the inning and then scored on a Sean Manaea wild pitch to tie the game. Lane Thomas' 2-run double in the 5th put Washington back into the lead. Estrada took Nick Robertson deep in the 6th to make ot 8-5. Cirtis Mead also belted a home.runs off Robertson in the 6th.

Sanchez went deep for the 2nd time in the 9th, but it was too little too late.

Final Score: Washington 9, Charlotte 6
WP: C. Bolton (1-1)
LP: S. Manaea (3-8)
SV: R. Stanek (13)
Record: 34-33
Player of the Game: Jesus Sanchez

TRANSACTION: Sent Jose Iglesias to AAA on a rehab assignment.

[TribeTown]

Game #68 – June 10 – Nationals Park

Victor Robles led off the bottom of the 1st with a 491 foot home run to left off of Danny Duffy. A Rougned Odor error in the 3rd allowed Vidal Brujan to score from 3B in the 3rd inning to tie the game.

The Nationals loaded the bases in the bottom of the 3rd but failed to score. Robles doubled home the go-ahead run in the 4th. After the Nationals loaded the bases, Carter Kieboom hit a bases-clearing double to make it 5-1.

The Knights made it 5-2 on a Brandon Drury double into the 5th. Jhonkensey Noel followed with a single to right to score Drury and then Andy Ibanez hit a Joan Adon 0-2 fastball deep into the LF stands to tie the game.

Michael Brantley and Keibert Ruiz hit back to back singles to start the bottom of the 7th. With runners at 1st and 3rd and no one out, Charlotte summoned Joe Barlow to relieve Ricky Devito. Barlow struck out Nick Gordon and Odor before throwing a wild pitch, allowing Gordon to score from the 3rd with the go-ahead run. Robles then doubled to right to.make it 7-5.

Anthony Santander doubled to lead off the 8th. After Elihuris Montero struck out, Jesus Sanchez singled to right to put runners on the corners, but Connor Wong hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Owen Miller kept Charlotte's hopes alive when he singled with 1 out in the 9th. But Drury lined out to left and Noel struck out to end the game.

Final Score: Washington 7, Charlotte 5
WP: B. Pounders (1-1)
LP: R. Devito (2-2)
SV: R. Stabek (14)
Record: 34-34
Player of the Game: Victor Robles

[TribeTown]

Game #69 – June 11 – Nationals Park

Jhonkensey hit a 2-run home run, his 16th round-tripper of the season, in the 4th to put Charlotte on top 2-0. The Knights scored another run on Noel's RBI groundout in the 6th.

Braxton Garrett pitched 6 shutout innings. Washington scored an unearned run off of Austin Adams in the 7th.

Ryan McKenna singled home a run in the 8th to make it a 4-1 game. Charlotte added an insurance run when Brandon Drury singled home McKenna.

The Nationals loaded the bases against Kutter Crawford in the 9th, but Crawford struck out Carter Kieboom to end the game.

Final Score: Charlotte 5, Washington 1
WP: B. Garrett (6-2)
LP: T. Anderson (6-3)
Record: 35-34
Player of the Game: Braxton Garrett

TRANSACTION: Activated A. J. Puk from the injured list. Optioned Glenn Otto to AAA.

[TribeTown]

The Knights return home to host the 37-32 Reds. Here are the pitching matchups:
Tony Santillan (1-6, 5.85) vs. John Means (4-3, 4.99)
Luis Castillo (6-5, 4.02) vs. Mike Clevinger (4-5, 4.62)
Hunter Greene (3-5, 4.63) vs. Sean Manaea (3-8, 5.45)

Game #70 – June 12 – Knights Field

Owen Miller singled home the 1st run of the game in the bottom of the 3rd inning. After Jason Kipnis drew a walk and Tony Santillan threw a wild pitch, Brandon Drury ripped a single to center to score Miller. Andy Ibanez walked and Jesus Sanchez followed with a double to score 2 runs and make it 4-0. Santillan walked Anthony Santander to load the bases but struck out Elihuris Montero. Mike Gerber then blasted a 391 bomb to right-center for a grand slam to make it 8-0.

Joey Votto homered in the 4th to make it 8-1, and Mike Moustakas homered in the 6th. Other than that, John Means pitched 6 solid innings.

Jesus Sanchez went deep in the 8th. A. J. Puk made his return from the IL and pitched a scoreless 9th.

Final Score: Charlotte 9, Cincinnati 3
WP: J. Means (5-3)
LP: T. Santillan (1-7)
Record: 36-34
Player of the Game: Mike Gerber

NEWS: Milwaukee P Freddy Peralta will miss 4-5 weeks with a sprained ankle.

[TribeTown]

Game #71 – June 13 – Knights Field

Mike Moustakas doubled home a run in the top of the 1st inning to give the Reds a 1-0 lead. Jason Kipnis hit his 1st home run as a Knight (and 1st since 2020 with the Cubs) to tie it in the bottom of the inning.

Jesus Sanchez threw a bullet to the plate to cut down Colin Moran in the 2nd and keep the game tied, 1-1.

Tyler Stephenson singled home the go-ahead run in the 3rd, and Jonathan India and Joey Votto hit back-to-back home runs in the 4th to make it 4-1.

Brandon Drury went deep to LF to lead off the bottom of the 4th.

Mike Gerber tripled to lead off the bottom of the 7th. Art Warren relieved Luis Castillo (who struck out 9 Charlotte batters) and Connor Wong greeted him with a blast to left to tie the game. Warren walked Vidal Brujan, who then stole 2nd (his 15th SB of the year), went to 3rd on a Kipnis single, and scored in Jhonkensey Noel's fielder's choice to give Charlotte a 5-4 lead.

AJ Puk entered the game in the 9th looking for the save. Votto singled to lead off, but Puk struck out Aristides Aquino. Puk then left the game with an apparent arm injury. Kervin Castro came on and walked Moustakas before getting Stephenson to pop up to shallow left. Colin Moran than hit a 414 foot bomb to center to pit Cincinnati on top, 7-5.

Lucas Sims retired the side in order in the bottom of the 9th.

Final Score: Cincinnati 7, Charlotte 5
WP: M. Figueroa (5-1)
LP: K. Castro (2-2)
SV: L. Sims (16)
Record: 36-35
Player of the Game: Joey Votto

AJ Puk's injury appears serious. The diagnosis is "pending."

News: Houston closer Christian Javier has shoulder inflammation and will miss the rest of the season.

[TribeTown]

Game #72 – June 14 – Knights Field

Curt Casali hit a home run off Sean Manaea in the 3rd inning, giving Cincinnati a 1-0 lead. Charlotte tied it when Vidal Brujan beat out an infield single to lead off the bottom of the inning, stole 2nd, and scored on Jhonkensey Noel's 2-out single to left.

The Reds retook the lead on Jonathan India's 14th home run of the year in the 4th. The Knights tied it again on Anthony Santander's double and took the lead on Brujan's fielder's choice in the bottom of the 4th. Ivan Johnson singled home Travis D'Arnaud in the 5th to tie the game up at 3.

Noel led off the bottom.of the 5th with a triple to right. The only way to explain it is that Reds RF Aristides Aquino played the ball lackadaisically. How else to explain how Noel with his 35 speed (although obviously hustling all the way) made it all the way to 3rd, and it wasn't even close? Sanchez followed by ripping a single through the middle of a drawn-in infield to give Charlotte a 4-3 lead.

Obviously not trusting Manaea, who has struggled to pitch past 5 innings so far this season, the Knights turned to Austin Adams in the 6th. Adams pitched 2 scoreless innings, and Joe Barlow pitched a scoreless 8th. Charlotte turned to Jorge Alcala to get the final 3 outs. Alcala retired the side in order to earn his 1st save of the year.

Final Score: Charlotte 4, Cincinnati 3
WP: S. Manaea (4-8)
LP: H. Greene (3-6)
SV: J. Alcala (1)
Record: 37-35
Player of the Game: Sean Manaea

News: A. J. Puk was diagnosed with a forearm strain and is expected to miss 5 weeks. Charlotte recalled Alex Vesia from AAA.

News: Angels star Shohei Ohtani will miss 2 weeks with an elbow strain.