LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Woodstock, Ga. native Matt Skole hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the seventh inning off Bryse Wilson to lead the Charlotte Knights (24-18) past the Gwinnett Stripers (26-18) 2-1 on Tuesday at Coolray Field. Gwinnett lost despite Travis Demeritte’s 3-for-4 effort that included two doubles and a triple.
Scoring Recap: The Stripers took a 1-0 lead in the second inning as Demeritte laced a triple to right field and scored on a groundout by Pedro Florimon. In the seventh, Daniel Palka led off with a double and Skole (13) followed with a two-run blast to right field off Wilson to give Charlotte a 2-1 lead. Gwinnett put two on with two outs in the ninth, but couldn’t score the tying run against Carson Fulmer.
Stripers Stats: Demeritte had three of Gwinnett’s nine hits and all three extra-base hits. Sean Kazmar Jr. went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles. Wilson (L, 2-4) lost despite a quality start as he worked 7.0 innings with two runs on three hits and six strikeouts. A.J. Minter and Thomas Burrows each tossed a scoreless inning out of the bullpen.
Knights Stats: Jordan Guerrero (W, 2-4) pitched 6.0 innings with one run on six hits, one walk, and four strikeouts. Matt Tomshaw (H, 1) and Fulmer (S, 1) combined on 3.0 scoreless innings in relief. Zack Collins finished 2-for-4.
Quote: “It was a tough go,” Demeritte said. “We felt like we executed but the ball just didn’t fall our way, and that’s baseball.”
Postgame Notes: Demeritte extended his on-base streak to 23 games and his hitting streak to 10 games, but saw his four-game home run streak snapped. The Stripers were held homerless for just the 12th time in 44 games this season, and dropped to 3-9 in games without a homer.
Next Game (Wednesday, May 22): Gwinnett vs. Charlotte, 7:05 p.m. at Coolray Field. LHP Kolby Allard (3-2, 4.32 ERA) for the Stripers vs. LHP Colton Turner (2-1, 4.50 ERA) for the Knights. Radio Broadcast: 6:50 p.m. on 97.7 and 93.5 FM “The Other Side of the River.”
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The Gwinnett Stripers are the Triple-A International League affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, playing their 11th season at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, Ga. For tickets, team merchandise or more information, visit GoStripers.com. Follow the Stripers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at GoStripers.