Knights Beat the Bulls 4-1 Thursday

(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) -- RHP Chris Volstad tossed seven solid innings, Cody Gillaspie launched a two-run home run, and the Charlotte Knights beat the Durham Bulls by a score of 4-1 on Thursday in the finale of their four-game series from BB&T Ballpark in Uptown Charlotte.
 

Volstad (3-10, 5.57) gave up just one unearned run over his seven masterful frames on Thursday en route to his third victory of the season. Volstad allowed seven hits and struck-out three batters to guide the Knights to a win over the Bulls. Relievers Matt Purke and Brandon Brennan held the Bulls scoreless over the final two innings. Brennan notched his fifth save of the season after throwing a scoreless ninth inning.

Charlotte left fielder Cody Asche put the Knights on the scoreboard in the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly, which scored Jacob May for the game's first run. The Bulls tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fifth inning when Johnny Field scored on a throwing error by Charlotte third baseman Ronald Bueno. One inning later, the Knights battled back to take a lead.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Asche doubled home shortstop Eddy Alvarez to give the Knights a 2-1 lead at that point. The Knights tacked on to their one-run lead in the bottom of the seventh inning when first baseman Casey Gillaspie connected on a two-run home run off Durham reliever Chase Whitley (0-3, 13.00). The home run was Gillaspie's 14^th of the season. Alvarez finished the game with three hits.

The Knights will now move on and open a four-game series on Friday night against the Norfolk Tides from BB&T Ballpark. First pitch is on tap for 7:05 p.m. and gates will open at 6:00 p.m. The Knights will host a special "Charlotte Baseball Round Table of Honor Night" and induct Drungo Hazewood. The team will also honor Ed Walton with the 2^nd Annual King of Uptown Award. After the game, the Knights will light up the Uptown Charlotte skyline with post-game fireworks courtesy of BB&T and News Talk 1110 WBT. Pre-game coverage of Friday's game will begin at 6:50 p.m. on ESPNCharlotte.net and CharlotteKnights.com. Long-time Charlotte Knights broadcaster Mike Pacheco will have the call for all of the action.