Knights' Early Barrage Drops Bulls

CHARLOTTE, NC - Behind eight runs in the first two innings, the Charlotte Knights defeated the Durham Bulls 9-1 Wednesday morning at BB&T Ballpark.

Charlotte (7-13), which snapped an eight-game winning streak, got to Bulls RHP Nathan Karns early, striking for five runs in the first inning behind a three-run homer from Andy Wilkins, and a two-run dinger off the bat of Alex Liddi.

Things got worse for the Bulls (15-6) in the second frame, as the onslaught continued for Charlotte when Gorkys Hernandez plated a run on a sacrifice fly and Hector Gimenez doubled home a pair as the Knights extended their lead to 8-0. The home side plated its final run in the fourth when Tyler Saladino drew a bases-loaded walk.

The Bulls, who lost for just the second time on the road this season, scored their only run of the contest in the sixth when Hak-Ju Lee walked and later scored on an errant throw.

Right-hander Deunte Heath (1-0) earned the win in his first start of the season, tossing five scoreless innings and allowing just two hits. Karns (2-2) took the loss, allowing a career-high eight runs (seven earned) on six hits in two innings of work.

Kevin Kiermaier went 3-for-4, pushing his hitting streak to eight games, while Mike Fontenot recorded a multi-hit game for the second straight day, going 2-for-3 with a double in the Bulls' eight-hit attack.

Game three of the four game set is scheduled for Thursday, when the Bulls send RHP Matt Andriese (1-1, 3.79) to the mound opposite Charlotte RHP Scott Carroll (3-1, 1.57). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. from BB&T Ballpark.

BULL-et Points: Lee's start marked the first game he had played in since April 20, 2013 because of various injuries… Justin Christian finished 0-for-3, ending his 10-game hitting streak, while Jerry Sands went 1-for-3, extending his hitting streak to 10… The loss was just the Bulls second loss on the road against Charlotte in their last 10 tries.