MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com-FORT MILL, S.C. -- Starting pitcher Justin Cassel tossed seven scoreless innings and center fielder Brent Lillibridge drew a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth inning to help the Charlotte Knights walk away with a 2-1 victory over the Indianapolis Indians on Sunday afternoon at Knights Stadium.

With the loss the Indians fall to 20-22 overall and 11-10 on the road, while the win improves the Knights to 19-24 on the season and 12-13 at home. The victory for Charlotte prevents the Tribe from reaching the .500 mark for the first time this season and draws the season series between the two clubs even at two games apiece.

Cassel (7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO) dominated in just his sixth start this season for the Knights, as the Triple-A rookie struck out six and allowed just three singles over seven innings of work. However, Tribe starter Daniel McCutchen (6.1 IP, 9 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO) kept the Indians with-in striking distance by scattering nine hits and allowing just one run over his 6.1 innings.
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However, neither starter would be rewarded for their excellent pitching effort as the final game of the series came down to the final inning of the game.

Charlotte entered the ninth inning with a 1-0 lead thanks to former Indianapolis Indians infielder Andy Phillips, who led off the fourth inning with a double and eventually came around to score on a two-out single by 3B Javier Castillo.

Yet Indianapolis, which entered the ninth with just single base hits by CF Andrew McCutchen, 2B Shelby Ford and RF Garrett Jones, would not go down easily. With one down in the final frame, LF Jeff Salazar came to the plate and gave the Tribe new life by blasting a solo home run to right field to end the Charlotte shutout bid and tie the score at 1-1.

But the Knights would put together a rally of their own in the bottom half of the ninth as DH Brian Myrow led off with a double, before being lifted for pinch runner Miguel Negron. Negron then moved to second on groundout by Castillo, and to third after C Donny Lucy reached on an Indians’ error and 2B Keith Ginter was given an intentional walk.

Lillibridge then came to the plate looking to play the hero for the Knights. The former Pittsburgh Pirates’ prospect had struck out in three of his previous four at-bats, but was able to draw the game-winning walk-off base-on-balls that forced Negron home and gave the Knights the series split with the 2-1 win.

Charlotte reliever Ehren Wassermann (2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO) picked up the win to improve to 3-1 on the season, despite serving up Salazar’s game tieing long ball in the top of the ninth, while Tribe reliever Jason Davis (2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 0 SO) surrendered three walks, including Lillibridge’s bases loaded free pass in the ninth and was charged with the loss to drop to 0-5 on the year.

The clutch ninth inning double for Myrow, not only set up the game-winning Knights’ rally, but also extended his hitting streak to seven games. Ginter (3-for-3) was another offensive star for Charlotte as the second baseman reached base in all four plate appearances and collected just one of two multi-hit performances on the afternoon, with Knights’ 1B Daryle Ward (2-for-4) posting the other.

Though the Tribe was not able to capitalize on their ninth inning comeback they were able to maintain two impressive team streaks. The ninth inning homer by Salazar not only tied the game, but also extended the Indians’ extra-base streak to 42 straight games to begin the season, while an eighth inning double play gave the club at least one double play in an International League season best 14 consecutive games.

Indianapolis will now continue their road trip with their first ever visit to Gwinnett for a four game series beginning on Monday at 6:00 p.m. RHP Virgil Vasquez is scheduled to start for Indianapolis, while RHP Todd Redmond is expected to get the nod for the Braves.

The contest will be carried by WXLW-950 AM and www.IndyIndians.com with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley. The pre-game show begins at 5:40 p.m.

Post-game quotes - Pitching Coach Ray Searage

(on the performance of starter Daniel McCutchen)
“Daniel really grinded it out today and did a good job. He was erratic with his curveball and his two seamer (fastball) showed up every now and again. He pitched himself out of some jams that he put himself into. Overall he did a good job and I’m proud of him.”

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