Gwinnett’s starter Tucker Davidson pitched a masterpiece, completely stymying the Knights’ hitters with excellent control and a nasty slider, while Charlotte’s pitching staff got plenty of work when Felix Paulino couldn’t get out of the first.
Paulino gave up seven hits and seven runs, retiring just two batters before giving way to the first of six relievers, including two position players, for Charlotte. Paulino can write this one off to rust, having pitched just 35 innings two years ago in Birmingham before his season was cut short by injury.
There were few highlights: a solo homer from Mikie Mahtook and a double from the newest member of the Knights, Brian Goodwin. Add a Marco Hernandez single and that’s it for the Knights’ offense in a tough loss.
“You are going to have nights like this,” manager Wes Helms said. “The way we bounce back tomorrow is going to tell what these guys are made of.”
Helms said he turned to position players to finish out the game and save the bullpen is especially important because Jimmy Lambert is the starter on Sunday and he’ll again be on a short pitch count.
“You never want to have to (use position players to pitch) because it is always a bad game if you have to,” Helms said. “For them to go out there and finish it off, that just speaks to the players they are. They don’t complain about it, they just get the ball and go do it and I tip my hat to them for that.”
THE LINEUP
Newly-acquired Goodwin was in the lineup at DH. The veteran outfielder made a nice swing to send a ball into the left-center gap for a double.
INJURY UPDATE
Still no sign of Jake Burger.
SCANNING THE BOX SCORE
Not a lot jumps off the page other than Jacob Lindren’s two innings of one-hit shutout ball and Kodi Medeiros’ 2.1 innings with one hit and one run.
NICE DEFENSE BEHIND THE PLATE
Nate Nolan turned in his second outstanding play behind the plate in as many games. In the top of the 5th, Ender Inciarte tried to score from second on a single, but was nailed at home on a strike from rightfielder Blake Rutherford to Nolan, who appeared to block Inciarte’s hand with his foot while catching the ball and applying the tag.
One night earlier, Gwinnett’s Ryan Goins almost pulled off a delayed steal. Goins looked like he was going to beat the throw, but Nolan again appeared to block the tag with his foot and make the tag.
GAVIN SHEETS WATCH
After playing rightfield in the first three games of this series, Gavin Sheets started at firstbase tonight, his natural position. But it was a tough night for the 11th best FutureSox prospect, committing two errors on catchable grounders and going 0-4 at the plate.
OPPONENT’S STARS TO WATCH
Davidson turned in the best effort thus far among the Gwinnett staff that previously sent Bryce Wilson, Kyle Wright and Kyle Muller to the mound against the Knights. Davidson needed only 92 pitches in seven innings, giving up three hits, two walks and one earned run while striking out six.
Photo credit: Brian McLeod/MiLB.com
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