Charlotte Knights drop series opener in Toledo

Tim Melville allowed just one run over seven innings, Mike Hessman had two hits, and the Toledo Mud Hens beat the Charlotte Knights 6-1 on Friday in the opening game of the three-game series at Fifth Third Field.

Melville (5-9) gave up just one hit en route to his first win since July 20. He struck out a season-high eight batters and walked two on the night. Friday’s victory was Melville’s second against the Knights this season; he beat the Knights on April 28 in Charlotte.

Toledo jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning on Hessman’s triple that scored Marc Krauss.

The Mud Hens made the score 3-0 the next inning when Alexi Casilla doubled home two runs off Charlotte starter Hector Noesi (1-3).

Charlotte scored its only run of the game in the fourth inning. J.B. Shuck, who made his second appearance with the Knights on his major league rehab assignment from the Chicago White Sox, walked to start the inning. After a wild pitch and a Drew Garcia groundout, Shuck scored on Jason Coats’ sacrifice fly. The RBI for Coats was his team-high 72nd of the season.

The Mud Hens tacked on three more runs, highlighted by a two-run fifth inning. Noesi allowed five runs on nine hits over six innings of work.

Toledo’s final run came in the eighth inning off reliever Jarrett Casey. Josh Wilson singled home Corey Jones for a 6-1 lead. The Mud Hens combined to record 11 hits in the opener.

In the ninth, Toledo reliever Guldo Knudson earned his 10th save of the season.

The two teams will continue their series at 7 p.m. Saturday. Right-hander Kyle Drabek (6-7) will get the start for the Knights against Toledo left-hander Mike Belfiore (5-11).

This story was originally published August 14, 2015 at 10:49 PM with the headline "Charlotte Knights drop series opener in Toledo."