Contrary to their 79-68 record and third-place standing in the International League East, the Knights are finishing their season as if they’re at the bottom of the division, as evidenced by their 3-1 loss to the last-place Norfolk Tides.
Limping through this week with two losses and nine runs scored over the last few days, Charlotte added one run to their less-than-impressive metrics in the closing week, courtesy of Andy Weber’s RBI single in the fifth. Aside from this brief action, the lineup looked
drained. Four hits, four walks, and 10 strikeouts put five runners in scoring position, while 75% of runners who reached base were left to make the long walk back to the dugout prematurely.
The Knights’ eight innings on the bump were even less exciting. Opener Adisyn Coffey not only indicated a bullpen game but also a figurative white surrender flag for the end of the season. He lived up to his 6.44 ERA, allowing a two-run homer to Tides’ Aron Escobar in his two innings pitched. It was Escobar’s first Triple-A bomb.
His replacement, Huascar Brazobán, only made things worse, yielding another solo jack to Creed Willems.
Fortunately, Norfolk’s scoring spree finally ceased. Perhaps it’s because the Tides have a -156 run differential, or maybe it’s because Aidan Anderson took the ball. Anderson has limited opponents to four runs since July 1, and his stellar night, consisting of a three-inning shutout with three strikeouts, punctuates his amazing second half.
Sometimes a loss is a loss, especially when there’s nothing left to play for and the season ends in two days. Most of these players will be looking forward to their offseason vacations and extra reps in the Fall League. But the Knights should be proud they’re standing where they are after several key departures.
But let’s save that breakdown for the Knights season recap.
MVP
Aidan Anderson: 3 IP, H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K
Runners-Up
Andy Weber: 1-for-3, RBI, K, HR
Ryan Galanie: 1-for-4, R
Edgar Quero: 0-for-2, 2 BB, K
Jaden Woods: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 2 K
Cold Cat
Adisyn Coffey: 2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K, HR
Runners-Up
Huascar Brazobán: 1 IP, 2 H, R, 0 BB, K, HR
Riley Unroe: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
Rikuu Nishida: 1-for-3, BB, 2 K
Dru Baker: 1-for-3, 2 K
