Stripers Fall Behind Early, Lose 9-3 in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte Knights (40-64) scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning and never trailed the rest of the way, sending the Gwinnett Stripers (49-55) to a 9-3 loss on Saturday night at Truist Field. Gwinnett has lost four straight games after winning the opener on Tuesday.

Decisive Plays:RBI singles by Jake Burger and Zach Remillard highlighted Charlotte's decisive four-run first against Stripers starter Kyle Muller (L, 5-6). Gwinnett got to within one run as Joe Dunand (5) and Braden Shewmake (7) each launched homers off Kyle Kubat. The Knights followed with five unanswered runs, however, as Mark Payton (14) and Burger (5) each homered.

Key Contributors:Shewmake (2-for-3, homer, 2 RBIs) and Dunand (2-for-3, homer, 2 runs, RBI) each finished with multi-hit games for the Stripers. Burger went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs for the Knights. Four Charlotte relievers including J.B. Olson (W, 1-2) combined on 4.2 scoreless, four-hit innings.

Noteworthy: *Shortly after hitting his two-run homer in the top of the fifth, Shewmake exited the game due to injury after colliding with left fielder *Travis Demeritte on Carlos Perez's triple to shallow left in the bottom of the fifth. Demeritte stayed in the game.

Next Game (Sunday, August 7): Gwinnett at Charlotte, 5:05 p.m. at Truist Field. RHP Huascar Ynoa (5-5, 5.38 ERA) for the Stripers vs. RHP Tobias Myers (1-9, 6.00 ERA) for the Knights. Radio Broadcast: 4:50 p.m. on MyCountry993.com.

Next Home Game (Tuesday, August 16): Gwinnett vs. Memphis, 7:05 p.m. at Coolray Field. Radio Broadcast: 6:50 p.m. on MyCountry993.com. It’s a Family Value Tuesday at Coolray Field. Enjoy $2 hot dogs and $1 select desserts, courtesy of Coolray Heating & Cooling.