Knights Walk Off With 4-3 Win Thursday

(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) -- The Charlotte Knights walked-off with a 4-3 win on Thursday night against the Pawtucket Red Sox in the finale of their four-game series from BB&T Ballpark in Uptown Charlotte. The Knights, who won three of four games in the series, welcomed 10,730 fans through the gates on Thursday for their 15^th sell-out crowd of the season.

With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Knights rallied against Pawtucket reliever, Ty Buttrey (1-1, 2.25), a product of Providence High School. Right fielder Trayce Thompson led the inning off with a walk and stole second base to give the Knights the winning run in scoring position. After designated hitter Mason Robbins struck-out, reliever Kyle Martin intentionally walked third baseman Patrick Leonard . The walks continued as catcher Dustin Garneau drew a walk to load the bases, and infielder Jake Elmore drew the game-winning walk to end the game. In all, the Knights used three-straight walks in the ninth to earn their 45^th win of the season.

RHP Ricardo Pinto (1-1, 5.79) allowed just one hit over a scoreless ninth inning to earn his first win of the season. RHP Michael Kopech started for the Knights and allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits over six solid innings of work. Kopech, who struck-out nine batters, increased his International League lead in strikeouts. He now has a league-best 131 on the season.

The Knights will now begin a three-game series against the Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates) on Friday night at BB&T Ballpark. Gates are set to open at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and the Knights will light up the sky with post-game fireworks courtesy of BB&T and News Talk 1110 WBT. Pre-game radio coverage of Friday'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 Mike Pacheco will have the call for all of the action.