(LAWRENCEVILLE, GA) -- Third baseman Patrick Leonard launched his fourth home run of the season, but the Charlotte Knights dropped the finale of their four-game series to the Gwinnett Stripers by a score of 7-1 on Thursday from Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, GA. The Knights and Stripers split the series
(LAWRENCEVILLE, GA) -- Third baseman Patrick Leonard launched his fourth home run of the season, but the Charlotte Knights dropped the finale of their four-game series to the Gwinnett Stripers by a score of 7-1 on Thursday from Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, GA. The Knights and Stripers split the series with two wins apiece.
LHP T.J. House (1-4, 6.37) started for the Knights and allowed four runs on six hits over 5.1 innings. After tossing seven shutout innings in his last outing (May 5) to earn a win, House was saddled with the loss on Thursday.
Leonard gave Charlotte their only run of the game in the seventh inning with a solo home run off Gwinnett starter Lucas Sims (2-1, 1.42), who earned the win. Sims gave up just one run on seven hits in 6.2 innings pitched. Leonard is now tied with catcher Kevan Smith and infielder José Rondόn for the team lead in home runs.
Left fielder Jacob May and designated hitter Jake Elmore had two hits each for the Knights. May added his sixth stolen base of the season, which is also his 56th overall with the Knights. He currently ranks third all-time in franchise history in steals behind Jason Bourgeois and all-time leader, Jerry Owens.
The Knights will now return home to BB&T Ballpark on Friday night to open a three-game series against the Durham Bulls (Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays). Pre-game radio coverage of Friday's 7:04 p.m. game will begin at 6:50 p.m. on 730 The Game ESPN Charlotte and CharlotteKnights.com. The "Voice of the Charlotte Knights" Matt Swierad and long-time Knights broadcaster Mike Pacheco will have the call for all of the action.
KNIGHTS KNOTES: Infielder Eddy Alvarez finished Thursday's game 1-for-3 at the plate. He extended his hit streak to seven games and has now reached base in 10 consecutive road games… DH Jake Elmore has hit safely in his last three games… RHP Thyago Vieira struck-out two batters over a scoreless eighth inning… RHP Michael Kopech , the number two prospect in the Chicago White Sox system, is expected to start Friday night's game for Charlotte… Thursday's game was the finale of an eight-game road trip for the Knights, which began in Columbus, OH last week. The Knights went 3-5 on the road trip…The Knights will have post-game fireworks on Friday night presented by BB&T and News Talk 1110 WBT… On Saturday, May 12th, the Knight will host their 13th Annual Pink Knights game presented by Charlotte Radiology.
