Dayan Viciedo launches 42nd Knights home run

Before spending parts of five seasons in the majors with the Chicago White Sox, Dayan Viciedo made headlines in 2010 as a 21-year-old Cuban sensation with the Charlotte Knights. Five years later, at 26, he’s looking to once again get back to Chicago by way of Charlotte.

Viciedo reached base five times, Kyle Drabek spun six solid innings, and the Charlotte Knights beat the Toledo Mud Hens 9-6 on Saturday in the middle game of their three-game series.

Drabek (7-7, 3.27) allowed three runs over six innings for his second win in August.

Viciedo had a fantastic night at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored, two RBIs, and two walks. He upped his batting average to .310 (18-for-58) in 14 games with the Knights this season.

In the top of the third inning, the Knights broke the game open against Toledo LHP Kyle Lobstein (0-1, 7.71). Charlotte’s first three batters in the inning reached base, which loaded things up for Leury Garcia, who smacked an RBI single down the third base side. Two batters later, Matt Davidson ripped a two-run double, which tied the game at 3.

With the bases once again loaded, the Mud Hens called on reliever Drew VerHagen with one out.

Charlotte DH Rob Brantly came through with a go-ahead, sacrifice fly RBI to give the Knights the 4-3 lead. Catcher Kevan Smith roped a double to left field, which scored Davidson and nearly scored Viciedo, who was thrown out at home for the third and final out of the inning. Still, the Knights scored five in the frame for a 5-3 lead.

The two teams conclude their three-game series on Sunday at 6 p.m. RHP Brad Penny (6-6, 3.93) gets the start for the Knights against RHP Luis Cessa (0-1, 8.74) for the Mud Hens.

This story was originally published August 15, 2015 at 11:07 PM with the headline "Dayan Viciedo launches 42nd Knights home run."