CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Robbie Grossman hit a grand slam in the ninth inning in his Charlotte Knights debut, but the team still lost 10-6 after surrendering six home runs to the Norfolk Tides.
Jackson Holliday, Connor Norby, Heston Kjerstad, Kyle Stowers, and Errol Robinson all went yard for the Tides (3-1) in the lopsided game. Kjerstad hit two home runs.
Meanwhile, Charlotte (1-3) had just three hits heading into the ninth inning before a fierce comeback attempt made things slightly interesting. The Knights scored five runs on four hits in the ninth inning, including a grand slam by Grossman in his Charlotte debut.
Late-inning batting heroics aside, it was a forgettable day on the mound for the Knights. Starting pitcher Johan Dominguez allowed four runs on six hits in five innings of work. Dominguez had eight strikeouts and just one walk.
Holliday, the top prospect in the Baltimore Orioles organization, got the home run derby started early as he crushed a pitch over the centerfield wall in the first at-bat of the ballgame. Norby also hit a home run in the inning for Norfolk.
The Knights found their first baserunner in the third inning with a Carols Pérez single but he never left first base in the inning.
By the time Charlotte found their second hit of the game in the seventh inning, the Tides added four more runs courtesy of two home runs and a sacrifice fly.
Grossman put the Knights on the scoreboard for the first time in the eighth inning with a home run of his own out to left field.
Norfolk added two more home runs in the ninth inning to inflate their lead to 10-1.
After two walks in the bottom of the ninth, Max Stassi drove in a run with a single. Oscar Colás loaded the bases with a single to follow up Stassi.
Then, Grossman blasted a grand slam to cut the lead to 10-6 and give the Knights the slightest bit of hope for an improbable comeback.
But the Tides clamped down and held on for the win in Charlotte's home opener.
Cade Povich was credited as the winning pitcher. Povich allowed just one hit and pitched five strikeouts in six impressive innings. Norfolk reliever Bryan Baker saw his early season ERA inflate to 33.75 after allowing five runs while getting just one out.
Now batting
The Knights debuted two former major leaguers on Tuesday.
Grossman was assigned to Charlotte on Tuesday, about two weeks after signing a deal with the Chicago White Sox. The outfielder has played on major league rosters for over a decade and won a World Series with the Texas Rangers in 2023.
Stassi's rehab assignment with Charlotte began Tuesday before he heads to the White Sox. He was placed on the 10-day injured list in March with left hip inflammation. Stassi was traded to Chicago in December from the Atlanta Braves. He's spent time with the Los Angeles Angels and Houston Astros in his 11-year career.
The Knights continue their first home stand of the season through Sunday against Norfolk.