Rienzo Dazzles in 5-2 Win on Sunday

(Fort Mill, SC) - Just over a week ago, Andre Rienzo was chosen to represent the Charlotte Knights and Chicago White Sox at the 15th Annual SiriusXM Futures Game, which is set to take place on Sunday, July 14 during Major League Baseball's All-Star weekend. On Sunday, Rienzo showed just how bright his future is after tossing another masterful game for the Knights.  

Rienzo (6-6, 4.47) threw the first nine-inning complete game of his career en route to his sixth win of the season as the Charlotte Knights beat the Norfolk Tides 5-2 at Knights Stadium. With the win, the Knights finished off their 14th series split of the season.

Making his 18th start of 2013, Rienzo was spot-on. He needed just 79 pitches to get through the first eight innings. All eight of those innings were scoreless too. In the ninth, the Charlotte right-hander got into a bit of jam, but he pitched through it.

Rienzo allowed back-to-back singles to start the ninth and then walked Henry Urrutia to load the bases with no outs. Manager Joel Skinner stuck with his starter. 

He then allowed the first Norfolk run of the game on a sacrifice fly by Danny Valencia. Still, Skinner stayed with the 25-year-old. 

Zelous Wheeler then drove home Jason Pridie with the second sacrifice fly of the inning - making it a 5-2 game. Rienzo didn't falter. Instead, he got L.J. Hoes to pop out to end the game and Charlotte notched their 41st win of the season.  

Over his last two games, Rienzo has allowed just three runs over 17.0 innings pitched - good for a 1.59 ERA. The Brazilian native has nine strikeouts over that span. It was his second complete game of the season - his first was a six-inning complete game loss on June 11 in Allentown, PA against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in game one of a doubleheader. 

As for the offense, Charlotte infielder Steve Tolleson continued his hot-hitting on Sunday. Tolleson, a 2013 International League All-Star, went 2-for-4 and extended his hit streak to a season-high 12 games. He is now tied with Mike McDade and Tyler Greene for the longest hit streak of the season by a Knights player.

As for McDade, the Charlotte slugger finished a triple shy of the cycle. In all, McDade went 3-for-4 with a run scored, a home run, and four RBIs. The home run was his eighth of the season and it was a solo shot off Norfolk starter Freddy Garcia (4-2, 3.40). Garcia gave up five runs on 10 hits over 6.1 innings and was hit with the loss. 

Charlotte catcher Bryan Anderson added his fifth home run of the season - a solo blast in the third inning. He finished with two hits and two runs scored on the afternoon.

Outfielder Jordan Danks continued to step into the Charlotte Knights' record books. Danks became the All-Time Knights franchise leader in triples after he legged-out the 12th one in his Knights career. He passed Ken Ramos, who had 11. Danks also moved into sole possession of second place in runs scored. He passed Chris Clapinski in the category with the 190th of his Knights career. He finished the day 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, and a run scored. 

The Knights will now move on and open a two-game series with the Durham Bulls on Monday at Knights Stadium. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and first pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. Charlotte RHP Tony Pena Jr. (2-6, 3.72) will face Durham starter RHP Matt Buschmann (3-0, 2.67). Fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs thanks to Hebrew National.