Knights Drop Saturday's Game to Tides 8-4

(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) -- D.J. Peterson and Casey Gillaspie launched home runs, but the Charlotte Knights dropped game two of their four-game series against the Norfolk Tides by a score of 8-4 on Saturday from Uptown Charlotte. The Knights mounted a comeback in the ninth inning, but fell just short in their attempt to beat the Tides on Saturday.

Down by a score of 6-0 in the bottom of the third inning, Peterson ripped his third home run of the season with the Knights. His two-run shot off Norfolk starter Chris Lee (5-6, 5.11) put the Knights on the scoreboard in the third. Lee allowed two runs in his five innings of work and earned the win for Norfolk, who won for the second consecutive day.

In the bottom of the eighth inning with the Tides ahead by a score of 8-2, Gillaspie launched his 15^th home run of the season and sixth overall with the Knights. Gillaspie hit nine home runs earlier this season with the Durham Bulls before a trade brought him to the Knights. Jake Peter drove home a run in the bottom of the ninth inning with an RBI triple, but that was all the Knights could muster in their final inning of the night.

Offensively, Peter had two of Charlotte's seven hits on the night. Jacob May added his team-high 30^th stolen base of the season, while catcher Roberto Peña had two hits in the game as well.

RHP Steve Johnson (2-4, 6.44) allowed eight runs on eight hits over five innings pitched and was saddled with the loss against his former team. Johnson gave up three home runs on the evening. RHP Drew Hasler was sharp over three shutout innings for the Knights in the game. RHP Connor Walsh did not allow a run in the ninth.

The Knights will continue their four-game series against the Norfolk Tides from BB&T Ballpark on Sunday night. First pitch is on tap for 7:05 p.m. and gates will open at 6:00 p.m. The Knights will welcome legendary professional wrestlers to the ballpark courtesy of the Crockett Foundation. Fans can receive autographs from The Rock N Roll Express, Magnum TA, JJ Dillon, Baby Doll, Tommy Young, and Jackie Crockett from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and again from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the concourse. Carolina football legend Brad Hoover will also sign autographs. After the game, the Knights will light up the Uptown Charlotte skyline with fireworks presented by BB&T and 107.9 The Link.

Pre-game radio coverage of Sunday's game will begin at 6:50 p.m. on ESPN Charlotte (730 AM) and CharlotteKnights.com. The "Voice of the Charlotte Knights" Matt Swierad, along with long-time Charlotte Knights broadcaster Mike Pacheco, will have the call for all of the action. The game can also be seen on Comcast SportsNet Chicago and Loren Hibbs will join the TV crew in the booth. Fans can also listen to the game in Spanish on 102.3 FM Latina. Broadcasters Rafael Bastidas and Ernesto Hurtado will call the action.