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Charlotte Walks Off With 4-3 Victory Over PawSox

William Cuevas fires seven sharp innings against Michael Kopech
July 19, 2018

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - After another hard-fought, back-and-back forth tussle, the Charlotte Knights walked off on the Pawtucket Red Sox, 4-3, on Thursday night in the series finale at BB&T Ballpark.For the second time in the four-game series, the Knights (45-52) earned a walk-off victory, following up Tuesday's 11-inning win with

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - After another hard-fought, back-and-back forth tussle, the Charlotte Knights walked off on the Pawtucket Red Sox, 4-3, on Thursday night in the series finale at BB&T Ballpark.
For the second time in the four-game series, the Knights (45-52) earned a walk-off victory, following up Tuesday's 11-inning win with a walk-off walk in the ninth inning Thursday to claim three out of four from the PawSox (45-50). Pawtucket had tied the game, 2-2, in the sixth inning and grabbed a 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth, but Charlotte leveled the score in the home half of the inning and coaxed four walks in a span of five batters to win in the ninth.
Pawtucket starter William Cuevas struck out a season-high eight batters and didn't issue a walk over seven innings of two-run ball in which his only blemish was a two-run homer in the fifth inning. In two starts since returning from the Red Sox, the 27-year old Venezuelan has only yielded those two runs in his 14 innings. Right-hander Ty Buttrey (L, 1-1) was charged with a pair of runs in an inning-plus before he left the game in the ninth.
Three-time National League All-Star Brandon Phillips (0-for-5, 2 K) started at second base and played the full nine innings for the first time since joining Pawtucket.
Third baseman Tony Renda (2-for-5) pounded out two more hits out of the leadoff spot in the Pawtucket order and now has a Minor League Baseball-best 17 hits since last Thursday - when he joined the club from Double-A Portland. Center fielder Rusney Castillo (2-for-5, 2 R) returned from the disabled list (groin strain) and tacked on two more hits to his International League-leading total (now 104). Right fielder Aneury Tavárez (2-for-4) extended his hitting streak to 12 games.
Former Red Sox first-round pick Michael Kopech - who was traded to the White Sox 19 months ago in the Chris Sale trade - touched 99 MPH multiple times and fanned nine (against just one walk) over six innings of two-run ball in his first start against the Red Sox organization. Reliever Ricardo Pinto (W, 1-1) escaped a jam in the top of the ninth inning.
As was the case Wednesday, the game remained scoreless into the middle innings. That's when Charlotte snatched a 2-0 lead in the home half of the fifth on a two-run rocket to left field from third baseman Patrick Leonard.
In the sixth inning, Pawtucket tied the game on an RBI single from first baseman Sam Travis and a ball smoked to right field by Tavarez that was ruled an error.
The PawSox climbed ahead, 3-2, in the top of the eighth inning on a fielder's choice from shortstop Iván De Jesús Jr.
In the bottom of the eighth, Charlotte placed a runner at second base on a leadoff bloop double. Buttrey then recorded the next two outs, but the Knights moved a man to third. Buttrey then went power-on-power against uber-prospect Eloy Jiménez, who hit a soft line-drive comebacker to the mound that hit off Buttrey's foot, kicked up into the air, where Buttrey couldn't make a catch off the ricochet. Charlotte scored the game-tying run on the infield single.
Pawtucket threatened in the top of the ninth, but Charlotte exited the trouble despite the PawSox placing runners at first and second with nobody out.
After a leadoff walk to begin the bottom of the ninth, Buttrey fell behind 2-0 on the second batter and then left the game with the trainer after a mound visit. Reliever Kyle Martin took over, struck out the first batter he faced and issued an intentional walk. Charlotte then worked a pair of walks to win.
Following the four-game series in Charlotte, the PawSox continue their road trip Friday at 7:05 p.m. against the Gwinnett Stripers (Atlanta Braves) at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, Georgia. PawSox left-hander Jalen Beeks (5-5, 3.05) is scheduled to oppose Stripers prospect Touki Toussaint (1-0, 1.35). Radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM and 104.7 FM) and throughout the PawSox Radio Network begins with the pre-game show at 6:35 p.m.
After the seven-game road trip, the PawSox will return home July 24-29 (Tuesday-Sunday) to square off with the Columbus Clippers (Cleveland Indians) and Knights. Good tickets are available, and fans can visit the McCoy Stadium box office, which is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m., and during all home games. Fans can also call (401) 724-7300 or log on to PawSox.com for tickets.