Knights Drop Opener to Tides 3-2
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - L.J. Hoes launched a go-ahead two-run home run in the top of the eighth inning to lead the Norfolk Tides to a 3-2 victory over the Charlotte Knights on Monday in the opening game of their three-game series from BB&T Ballpark. The Norfolk win snapped a two-game Charlotte Knights winning streak.
Charlotte starter Chris Volstad dominated the Norfolk Tides on Monday, but did not factor in the decision. Volstad, a former top prospect of the Pittsburgh Pirates, tossed seven shutout innings and left with a lead.
In the bottom of the second inning, Travis Ishikawa began the inning with a double. Outfielder Jason Coats then followed with an RBI single to give the Knights an early 1-0 lead over the Tides. It was a solid night for Coats at the plate in Monday's opener - and solid night on the mound for Volstad.
Two innings later, the Knights added to their lead against the Tides and did so with help once again from Coats. After an Ishikawa walk, Coats lined a single to put runners on first and second base with just one out. Two batters later, Hector Sanchez drew a walk to load the bases. Enter Danny Hayes.
With the bases loaded and two outs, Hayes drew a run-scoring walk, which pushed the Knights lead to 2-0. Both Charlotte runs were scored off of Norfolk starter Odrisamer Despaigne, who lasted just 5.1 innings. Despaigne struck-out eight batters but did not factor in the decision.
Charlotte's 2-0 lead lasted through seven innings thanks to Volstad, who was sharp in his second start of the season. The Palm Beach Gardens, FL native cruised through seven innings and allowed just four hits on the night. The 29-year-old threw 85 pitches and fanned three batters.
In the eighth, new Charlotte reliever Michael Ynoa (0-1, 27.00) made his team debut and ran into trouble against the Tides. Ynoa, who was promoted to Charlotte from Double-A Birmingham on Saturday, April 16th, allowed a one-out single to Paul Janish. Two batters later, pinch-hitter Xavier Avery drove home Janish with an RBI single, which cut the lead in half, 2-1. The Tides were not done there.
Hoes then stepped to the plate and changed the game with one swing of the bat -- erasing the terrific outing by Volstad. Hoes launched a two-run home run over the center field wall to give the Tides a 3-2 lead at that point. That was all they would need to take game one.
Norfolk reliever Oliver Drake closed out the game in the ninth inning with a 1-2-3 inning for his second save of the season.
Coats finished the game with three hits and is now batting .432 this season for the Knights. Ishikawa scored both of Charlotte's runs in the game.
The Knights will continue their three-game series against the Norfolk Tides (Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles) on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Eight-time Major League Baseball All-Star Darryl Strawberry will meet fans and sign autographs. Pre-game radio coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on the flagship station for Charlotte Knights baseball, ESPN 730 AM and charlotteknights.com. The "Voice of the Charlotte Knights" Matt Swierad, along with radio broadcaster Mike Pacheco, will have the call for all of the action.