Knights Beat the Mud Hens 8-3 Wednesday

(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - RHP Lucas Giolito struck-out seven batters over six masterful innings, Rob Brantly added a game-high three RBIs, and the Charlotte Knights beat the Toledo Mud Hens by a score of 8-3 on Wednesday in game two of their three-game series from BB&T Ballpark in Uptown Charlotte.

Giolito (6-10, 4.48) gave up seven hits and just one walk over his six shutout innings en route to his sixth win of the season. The 23-year-old hurler has been sharp over his past five games -- posting a 3-1 mark and a 1.71 ERA with 28 strikeouts over 31.2 innings pitched. He threw 96 pitches (63 for strikes) on Wednesday.

Backed by a stellar effort on the mound from Giolito, the Charlotte offense was also strong from the start -- scoring four runs in the first inning against Toledo starter Daniel Norris (0-3, 15.88), who was saddled with the loss. Norris, who was on a major league assignment, gave up four runs on six hits over just two innings.

Jacob May, Jake Peter, and Rob Brantly all had two hits apiece to help pace the Knights. May scored three of Charlotte's eight runs on the night and finished the game 2-for-4 with three runs scored, and his team-high 24^th stolen base of the season. Peter went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases.

The two teams will conclude their series on Thursday with a 7:05 p.m. game from BB&T Ballpark. Gates will open at 6:00 p.m. and the Knights will host Thirsty Thursday presented by Ink N Ivy. The Knights will also honor WBT Radio's John Hancock with a bobblehead to the first 2,000 fans through the gates.

Pre-game radio coverage of Thursday's 7:05 p.m. game will begin at 6:50 p.m. on ESPN Charlotte (730 AM) and CharlotteKnights.com. The "Voice of the Charlotte Knights" Matt Swierad and long-time Knights radio broadcaster Mike Pacheco will have the call for all of the action.