Knights Sweep Doubleheader on Tuesday

(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) -- RHP Dylan Cease was sharp in his Triple-A debut, catcher Zack Collins launched a huge home run, and the Charlotte Knights rolled past the Norfolk Tides twice on Tuesday en route to a sweep of the doubleheader. Charlotte earned a 4-0 victory in game one and a 3-0 victory in game two to improve to 5-1 on the season.

Making his first start as a member of the Charlotte Knights, Cease, 23, gave up just three hits over five shutout innings to earn the game one victory. Ranked as the number three prospect in the Chicago White Sox system by Baseball America, Cease fanned five batters and threw 73 pitches. The Charlotte offense scored four runs in game one on eight hits for the win. Shortstop Alcides Escobar and left fielder Charlie Tilson had two hits apiece to pace the offense.

In the nightcap, Collins broke a scoreless game with a two-run home run over the right-center field fence to give the Knights a 2-0 lead and ultimately their second win of the day. Collins, 24, has recorded a team-high four home runs and nine RBIs on the season. Left fielder Preston Tucker drove home Charlotte's third and final run in game two on an RBI double. He now has a 12-game hitting streak dating back to July 4, 2018 with Gwinnett.

RHP Dylan Covey started game two for the Knights and did not allow a run over three scoreless innings. RHP Zach Thompson and RH Thyago Vieira added two scoreless innings each. Vieira earned his first win of the season.

The Knights will conclude their three-game series against the Norfolk Tides (Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles) on Wednesday night from BB&T Ballpark. Gates will open at 6:00 p.m. for the finale of the series. Pre-game radio coverage of Wednesday's 7:04 p.m. game is set for 6:50 p.m. on 730 The Game ESPN Charlotte. 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.

KNIGHTS KNOTES: Before the game, the Knights added OF Ryan Cordell to the roster. Cordell was optioned to Charlotte from the Chicago White Sox on April 8. He went 1-for-4 in game one of the doubleheader… LHP Brian Clark, who was promoted to Charlotte on Monday, was assigned back to Double-A Birmingham on Tuesday… The Knights honored the memory of former Negro League Baseball player Eddie G.G. Burton before the game. Tuesday's game marked the sixth annual Negro League Night and former players and historians were on hand to meet fans. Keith Burton, Eddie's son, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before game two. The Knights wore #42 jerseys in game two.