Ninth-Inning Rally Leads to 3-2 Win Thursday
(ALLENTOWN, PA) – Down by a score of 1-0 in the top of the ninth inning, the Charlotte Knights never gave up. The Knights rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth inning and later held the Lehigh Valley IronPigs to just one run with the bases loaded
(ALLENTOWN, PA) – Down by a score of 1-0 in the top of the ninth inning, the Charlotte Knights never gave up.
The Knights rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth inning and later held the Lehigh Valley IronPigs to just one run with the bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to go on for an impressive 3-2 win in game three of the six-game series from Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, PA on Thursday night. The Knights improved to 8-3 over the team’s last 11 games -- the most successful stretch of the season.
Shortstop Yolbert Sánchez continued his hot hitting and started the ninth inning off with a single. Sanchez, who extended his hit streak to a season-high 11 games earlier in the game, finished the night with two hits and a run scored. Third baseman Jake Burger followed Sánchez in the ninth and quickly singled to right field, which put runners on the corners with no outs. Two batters later, right fielder Micker Adolfo was hit by a pitch to load the bases for the Knights. With Zach Remillard at the plate and the bases loaded, Lehigh Valley reliever Nick Duron (4-5, 3.28) threw a wild pitch, which scored Sánchez to tie the game at 1-1. The Knights were not done there.
WE. ARE. TIED.
— Charlotte Knights (@KnightsBaseball) August 12, 2022
A wild pitch in the 9th scores Yolbert Sánchez! pic.twitter.com/5qf9yUZ7q1
After Remillard walked to once again load the bases, left fielder Tyler Neslony singled home Burger for the go-ahead run.
The lead is OURS!!!!
— Charlotte Knights (@KnightsBaseball) August 12, 2022
Tyler Neslony with an RBI single! #LetsGoKnights pic.twitter.com/PeaDwJACV0
The inning continued to unravel for the ‘Pigs after Laz Rivera drew a bases-loaded walk. Burger came around to score the third run of the inning and the Knights possessed a 3-1 lead at that point.
Lehigh Valley went to the bullpen in the ninth to try to hold the Knights to just three runs and called on reliever Bubby Rossman, who struck-out catcher Xavier Fernandez and designated hitter Romy Gonzalez to end the inning.
In the bottom of the ninth with the Knights ahead by a score of 3-1, Charlotte reliever Parker Markel came on to start the inning, but he had his troubles. He allowed back-to-back walks to start the inning and then gave up back-to-back singles. With no outs and one run already in, the Knights called on reliever Declan Cronin to get the team out of a bases-loaded jam. Cronin did just that as he was able to retire all three batters he faced to end the game and notch his first career Triple-A save.
RHP Jason Bilous started for the Knights and was sharp in his second career Triple-A game. Bilous allowed just one run over four innings. He struck-out five batters and did not factor in the decision. LHP Anderson Severino (2-3, 9.90) pitched a scoreless eighth inning to earn the win.
The two teams will continue the six-game series on Friday night with first pitch at 7:05 p.m. from Coca-Cola Park. The “Voice of the Charlotte Knights” Matt Swierad will have the call for all of the action on 730 The Game ESPN Charlotte and www.CharlotteKnights.com.