Knights Longest Night
25 innings and 8-plus hours later, Charlotte sweeps Durham in twin bill.

08.15.03 - It was the kind of game that Ernie Banks probably dreams about playing in.

The Charlotte Knights defeated the Indianapolis Indians 4-3 and 5-1 Friday night, completing a doubleheader sweep and pulling to within four games of the Durham Bulls for first place in the IL South Division.

The doubleheader, which was scheduled for two seven-inning games, included the longest game in Knights' history and provided many interesting pieces of information.

Game one began at 6:17 p.m. and ended at 12:37 a.m. The 6 hour and 20 minute time of game and the 18-inning contest both set records for the longest game in Knights History. The previous high for innings played was a 15-inning contest on 4/10/97 @ SYR and on 4/15/03 vs. LOU. The Knights played a 4:31 game on 7/1/95 at Pawtucket.

The game was the second longest game in all of minor league baseball this year. Asheville won at Capital City (South Atlantic League) 7-5 on July 4th in a game that lasted 19 innings and took 6 hours and 44 minutes to complete.

Game two of the doubleheader began at 1:01 a.m. and ended at 2:55 a.m.
The doubleheader saw 783 pitches, 45 men left on base, 38 strikeouts, and 43 hits. 203 batters came to the plate in the 8 hours and 14 minutes, and the 17 different pitchers who took the mound issued 20 walks (3 intentional) in 25 innings of work.

Charlotte, which leads the league in home runs hit (120) and home runs allowed (132), and Indianapolis, who was third in the league in home runs allowed (101), combined to hit a total of zero home runs in 25 innings. Knights Stadium is the smallest park in the International League.

The lengthy game made for some interesting box score reading the next morning.

Charlotte catcher Jamie Burke went 5-8 in game-one, marking the seventh consecutive game he's collected multiple hits.

Indians centerfielder Jason Conti collected three outfield assists in game one, including throwing two runners out at home plate.

Indianapolis left fielder Ryan Knox stole four bases and was thrown out once in the doubleheader.

The Indians did not score in the final fourteen innings of game one, but took the lead in game two without recording an out in the first.

Knights' infielder Ryan Hankins began Friday with a .311 average, but went 0-8 and dropped his average to .297.

Indianapolis' sixth pitcher Derek Lee threw more innings (5.1) than the Indians starter Luis Martinez (5.0) and threw more pitches (81) than Knights starter Ryan Kohlmeier (77).