Stripers Edge Charlotte 5-3 for Fourth Straight Win

Kipnis drives in three, Kazmar and Contreras each homer for Gwinnett

Jason Kipnis tallied his fifth multi-hit effort in his last nine games on Friday night in Charlotte. (Jamie Spaar)

By Dave Lezotte

July 16, 2021

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jason Kipnis plated three runs, and Sean Kazmar Jr. and William Contreras each blasted solo home runs as the Gwinnett Stripers (30-34) defeated the Charlotte Knights (25-37) 5-3 on Friday night at Truist Field. Decisive Play:Kazmar Jr. broke a 1-1 tie with his solo shot (6) to

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jason Kipnis plated three runs, and Sean Kazmar Jr. and William Contreras each blasted solo home runs as the Gwinnett Stripers (30-34) defeated the Charlotte Knights (25-37) 5-3 on Friday night at Truist Field.

Decisive Play:Kazmar Jr. broke a 1-1 tie with his solo shot (6) to left-center in the fifth inning, but it was a two-run double by Kipnis later in the frame that proved to be the difference as the Stripers opened up a 4-1 lead against Alex McRae (L, 2-4).

Key Contributors:Kipnis went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs, and Contreras went 2-for-4 with his second homer of the series (2) and one RBI. Following 4.0 one-run innings from Jasseel De La Cruz, five Stripers relievers combined to allow two runs over 5.0 innings. Ty Tice (W, 1-0) earned the win, and Sean Newcomb (S, 1) struck out the side in the ninth.

Noteworthy:The Stripers, now 9-1 against Charlotte this year, have a four-game winning streak for the third time this season (first since May 25-28). Kipnis has five multi-hit efforts in his last nine games, batting .350 (14-for-40) with six extra-base hits and 10 RBIs in that span.

Next Game (**Saturday, July 17*): *Gwinnett at Charlotte, 7:04 p.m. at Truist Field. RHP **Tanner Roark (1-1, 3.42 ERA) for the Stripers vs. RHP Mike Wright (5-2, 3.22 ERA) for the Knights. Radio Broadcast: 6:49 p.m. on MyCountry993.com.

*Next Home Game (Tuesday, July 20): *Gwinnett vs. Norfolk, 7:05 p.m. at Coolray Field (Family Value Tuesday, $2 hot dogs, $1 desserts, presented by Coolray Heating & Cooling).