Randy Williams Makes a Saving Situation Looks Easy

The Charlotte Knights defeated the Louisville Bats 2-1 on Wednesday afternoon at Knights field. Charlotte took the third game in a four games series avoiding the sweep and looking for to divide with Louisville. 

The knights allowed 19 runs and gave up double digits hits to their opponent in the previous two games. But a pitching duel for the starters in five complete innings and an excellent work of Charlotte's bullpen, kept Louisville Bats team far away from their past performance.

Charlotte (51-48) remains in second place in the International League South and seven games behind Durham. Louisville (49-50) is in third place in the International League West, now 10.5 games behind Columbus.

For the Knights, LHP Randy Williams came into the game as a reliever in the top of the eight inning and pitched two scoreless innings while striking out four batters to earn his first save of the season for Charlotte.

Starter RHP Jeff Marquez pitched five innings with an earned run allowed and three hits, while striking out three and giving two walks with no decision. RHP Jhonny Nunez earned his third win pitching two innings with a walk and three strikeouts.

For the Bats, a great performance by starting pitcher LHP Ben Jukich on five complete innings allowing no earned runs, three hits, four walks while striking out eight batters ending with no decision.

The Dominican native RHP Enerio Del Rosario was credit with the loss allowing one earned run, one hit and a walk in two innings.

At the plate for the Knights Alejandro de Aza went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base. And Juan Francisco for Louisville 1-for-4 with an RBI and three strikeouts (hat trick).