Big Hurt gets big workout
Thomas began his rehabilitation stint by going 2-for-3 with a walk, but the Charlotte Knights squandered a five-run lead and were beaten by the Ottawa Lynx, 9-8, on Tuesday night at Lynx Stadium.
Sidelined since July 2004 due to a partial stress fracture of a bone in his left ankle, Thomas joined the Knights in Ottawa for his first Minor League game in 15 years. The two-time American League MVP singled in the first inning, doubled and scored in the third, and walked and scored in the fifth.
Thomas, 36, popped out to second base in the seventh, then left for a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning.
Charlotte built an 8-3 lead as Brian Anderson went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. But Ottawa stormed back against starter Jon Adkins and the Knights bullpen.
The Lynx's comeback was aided by two errors in the fifth inning that led to a pair of runs. Ottawa tied it at 8-8 with two runs in the sixth as Napoleon Calzado tripled home Walter Young and scored on a forceout by Ed Rogers. Calzado also singled in the go-ahead run in the seventh.
The rally made a winner of Aaron Rakers (2-1), who struck out three in two scoreless innings. Tim Byrdak pitched the ninth and recorded his fifth save when right fielder Gene Kingsale made a sliding backhanded catch of Greg Norton's sinking liner.
Adkins surrendered eight runs -- seven earned -- in five-plus innings, but the loss went to Arnie Munoz (1-4), who put two men on base in the seventh.