FORT MILL, South Carolina — The Charlotte Knights used the long ball to win their second straight game, as they defeated the Gwinnett Braves 5-2 at Knights Stadium. First baseman Josh Kroeger hit a three-run homer in the third inning to give the Knights the lead for good.
Kroeger crushed an 0-2 pitch off of Braves starter Ryne Reynoso (0-2, 6.30 ERA) over the right field fence. The homer was Kroeger’s first of the season and put the Knights on the board with a 3-1 lead. Second baseman C.J. Retherford hit his second homer of the year, a solo shot, to lead off the sixth inning.
Gwinnett continued to struggle as they scored only one run off of four hits. Reynoso labored through the start walking four, but kept the G-Braves in the game.
Gwinnett falls to 2-7 on the young season and are losers of six straight. The Knights are now 6-3 and remain tied for first place in the International League South Division.
The Knights got outstanding pitching from starter Matt Zaleski (2-0, 1.50 ERA), who earned his second straight win over Gwinnett. The right hander allowed just one earned run off of three hits.
Kroeger crushed an 0-2 pitch off of Braves starter Ryne Reynoso (0-2, 6.30 ERA) over the right field fence. The homer was Kroeger’s first of the season and put the Knights on the board with a 3-1 lead. Second baseman C.J. Retherford hit his second homer of the year, a solo shot, to lead off the sixth inning.
Gwinnett continued to struggle as they scored only one run off of four hits. Reynoso labored through the start walking four, but kept the G-Braves in the game.
Gwinnett falls to 2-7 on the young season and are losers of six straight. The Knights are now 6-3 and remain tied for first place in the International League South Division.
The Knights got outstanding pitching from starter Matt Zaleski (2-0, 1.50 ERA), who earned his second straight win over Gwinnett. The right hander allowed just one earned run off of three hits.