Knights Edged By Indians 9-8 in Finale

(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - A valiant effort from the Charlotte Knights came up just short in a 9-8 loss to the Indianapolis Indians in the finale of their three-game series on Sunday afternoon at BB&T Ballpark.

With the game tied 8-8 in the ninth, Indians first baseman Erich Weiss hit a solo home run off Knights reliever Juan Minaya (L, 1-1), giving the visitors a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
After the Indians took an early lead, the Knights struck back as Matt Skole's team-leading seventh home run of the season evened the score. Later in the inning, a ground out from Joel Booker scored another run to put Charlotte in front.
Indianapolis quickly tied the score in the third, but the Knights were fast to get the lead back. Preston Tucker led off the inning with a double and came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Danny Mendick. Skole plated another run with an RBI double before scoring on a single from D.J. Peterson to give Charlotte a 5-2 lead.
The back-and-forth battle continued as the Indians scored two runs in the fourth and one in the fifth to tie the game. Ryan Goins put the Knights back in front 8-5 with a three-run home run to left, his third of the season.
From there, Charlotte reliever Colton Turner gave up two runs in 2.0 innings and Minaya surrendered two over 2.1 innings as the Indians clinched a series win.
Offensively, the Knights were led by a 3-for-5 game with three RBI from Goins and a 2-for-2 game from Skole with two RBI, three runs, and three walks. Making the start, Spencer Adams gave up five runs, four earned, on seven hits with three walks and five strikeouts over 4.2 innings.
 
The Knights continue their homestand with the first of three games against the Gwinnett Stripers on Monday night. Pre-game radio coverage of the 7:04 p.m. game is set for 6:50 p.m. on 730 The Game ESPN Charlotte. The "Voice of the Charlotte Knights" Matt Swierad and long-time Knights radio broadcaster Mike Pacheco will have the call for all of the action. Jordan Stephens (2-2, 7.17) is scheduled to take the mound for the Knights.