Charlotte Dropped By Buffalo 8-1

(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - The Charlotte Knights began their homestand with an 8-1 loss to the Buffalo Bisons on Tuesday night at BB&T Ballpark in the opener of their three-game series.

The Bisons were quick to take the lead as back-to-back homers from Bo Bichette and Sócrates Brito started the game. Later in the frame, Jonathan Davis' two-run homer gave the Bisons a 4-0 lead in their first turn at the plate against Knights starter Justin Nicolino.
Charlotte got a run back in the bottom of the first on Danny Mendick's towering 465-foot solo home run to left, his 12th of the season, to cut the Buffalo lead to 4-1.
However, the Bisons added to their lead in the fourth on Davis' second home run of the night. An inning later, Brito and Rowdy Tellez also homered to increase the Buffalo lead to 8-1.
Nicolino (L, 6-6) lasted 4.2 innings, giving up eight earned runs on seven hits with one walk and five strikeouts. After Nicolino left, the Knights' relievers were sharp.
First out of the bullpen, Zach Thompson threw 2.1 scoreless innings. In the eighth, the Knights turned to Hunter Schryver for his Triple-A debut. The lefty was impressive, striking out the side in order in his first career Triple-A inning. Carson Fulmer threw a clean ninth inning with two strikeouts.
Offensively, Mendick led the way for the Knights by going 2-for-4 with the home run, a single, and a stolen base.
The Bisons got a pair of home runs from Brito and Davis in the victory. The visitors hit seven home runs in the win, the most given up by the Knights in a game this season.
Buffalo and Charlotte continue their series on Wednesday night at BB&T Ballpark. Odrisamer Despaigne (4-4, 3.20) is scheduled to start on the mound for the Knights. Pregame coverage of the 7:04 p.m. game is set for 6:50 p.m. on 730 The Game ESPN Charlotte. The "Voice of the Charlotte Knights" Matt Swierad and long-time Knights radio broadcaster Mike Pacheco will have the call for all of the action.