Knights Return Home After Tough Road Trip Through New York

Fresh off a solid eight-game homestand in which the Knights won five games, the team hit the road to Upstate New York for a six-game road trip. The road trip turned out to be tough for the Knights, who would end up winnig just one of the six games. 

The Knights began the six-game road trip in Syracuse, NY against the Syracuse Mets on Tuesday, June 11. It was the first time the Knights faced the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets since 2012 when the Knights faced the Buffalo Bisons at Buffalo, NY on July 23 (finale of a four-game series). The Knights went 6-2 that season against the Bisons, who were the Triple-A affiliate of the Mets from 2009-2012. The Mets Triple-A spent the next six seasons in Pacific Coast League in Las Vegas, NV.

The Charlotte Knights dropped game one of the series on Tuesday in a slugfest by the score of 15-8. One night later, the Knights earned a 7-6 win over the Syracuse Mets in game two of their three-game series from NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse, NY. The win evened up the series at 1-1. OF Daniel Palka and INF Ryan Goins both homered in the game while RHP Jordan Stephens (3-4, 8.60) earned the win out of the bullpen. It was Charlotte's only win of the series as they dropped the finale on Thursday by a score of 6-5.

The Knights made the trek from Syracuse, NY to Rochester, NY for the final three games of the road trip. Rochester native, Danny Mendick, returned home to a very familiar ballpark. Growing up as a kid going to Red Wings' games was something Danny did a lot of -- in fact -- his grandfather is a season-ticket holder for 70+ years. It was a memorable three days for Danny to be home and play in front of family and friends. 

As for the games, the Knights fell just short in game one of the three-game set by a score of 7-6. Catcher Seby Zavala launched his eighth home run of the season and led the way offensively for the Knights with three hits and four RBIs. Charlotte RHP Dylan Cease started the game but did not factor in the decision. Cease, who left with a 5-4 lead, allowed four runs on seven hits over five innings and threw 101 pitches.

Rain suspended Saturday's game and the two teams were forced to resume Saturday's suspended game at 12:05 p.m. on Sunday. The game was picked up on Sunday in the bottom of the third inning with two outs, a runner on first base, and the Red Wings ahead of the Knights by a score of 7-5. The Knights ended up dropping the game 11-5 and later fell to the Red Wings in Sunday's originally scheduled game by a score of 3-2.