Knights Drop Monday’s Opener to Gwinnett 6-3 

(LAWRENCEVILLE, GA) – The Charlotte Knights dropped the opening game of the six-game series against the Gwinnett Stripers by a score of 6-3 on Monday night from Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, GA.

Chicago White Sox outfielder Eloy Jiménez continued his major league rehab assignment and had a two-hit day. Jimenez, who homered in Sunday’s game, drove home his seventh RBI of the rehab stint on Monday night. He was one of four Knights to record four hits on the night. Mark Payton, Yolbert Sánchez and Carlos Pérez also chipped in with two hits apiece.

Charlotte RHP Mike Wright was activated off the team’s injured list before the game and started for the Knights. Wright allowed three runs on four hits in the first inning, his only inning of work on Monday.

Both the Knights and Stripers scored three runs in the first inning and the game remained tied at 3-3 until the bottom of the fifth. In that inning, Charlotte RHP Yoan Aybar (0-3, 9.53) walked Preston Tucker with the bases loaded, which scored the go-ahead run. Aybar was charged with the loss.

Former Knights infielder Ryan Goins helped the Stripers tack on to the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning with a two-run single, which made it a 6-3 ballgame. In the ninth, the Knights went 1-2-3 against reliever Michael Tonkin. He earned his sixth save of the season. The win went to Gwinnett RHP Nolan Kingham (2-1, 3.86).

The Knights will have an off day on Tuesday and then continue the six-game series against the Gwinnett Stripers on Wednesday night from Coolray Field. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. The “Voice of the Charlotte Knights” Matt Swierad will have the call for all of the action on 730 The Game ESPN Charlotte and www.CharlotteKnights.com.