April 3, 2024 - Las Vegas Knights Edge Baltimore Phantoms in 3-game series
4/3/2024by Skip Remington
Joe Garland named MVP for Knights
Joe Garland named MVP for Knights

Knights Edge Phantoms in Thrilling Series

 

BALTIMORE, April 3, 2024 — The Las Vegas Knights clinched a hard-fought series against the Baltimore Phantoms this week, winning two out of three games in front of enthusiastic crowds at Oriole Park. The series featured clutch hitting, standout pitching, and a significant injury that will impact the Knights moving forward.

 

Game 1: Knights Power Past Phantoms, 4-2

 

Attendance: 36,124

 

The Knights secured a 4-2 victory in the series opener, thanks to timely home runs and solid pitching. The Phantoms struck first when Billy Rollins scored on a sacrifice fly by Neil Millar in the first inning. The Knights responded in the fifth inning with a two-run homer by Alberto Torres, driving in George Gabriel.

 

Joe Garland extended the lead in the sixth inning with a solo shot to left field. Rollins scored again in the bottom half, but the Knights added an insurance run in the eighth on Richard Callahan's single.

 

Game 1:

  • 1st Inning: Phantoms score on a sacrifice fly by Neil Millar.
  • 5th Inning: Knights take the lead with a two-run homer by Alberto Torres.
  • 6th Inning: Joe Garland extends the lead with a solo home run.
  • 6th Inning: Phantoms cut the lead as Billy Rollins scores on a groundout.
  • 8th Inning: Knights add an insurance run with a single by Richard Callahan.

 

Joe Garland: "It felt great to connect and put one out there. We knew we had to keep the pressure on."

Richard Callahan: "Getting that hit in the eighth was crucial. We needed every run we could get."

 

Key Performances:

  • Knights: Joe Garland (2-for-4, HR, RBI), Alberto Torres (1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI), Hank Henderson (7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 7 K)
  • Phantoms: Billy Rollins (3-for-4, 2 R, 2 SB), Neil Millar (2-for-3, 2 RBI), Preston Brooks (6 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 6 K)

 

Game 2: Knights Rally Late, Overcome Injury to Roe (Knights win 2-1)

Attendance: 35,987

 

The Knights edged the Phantoms 2-1 in a tense Game 2, marked by a serious injury to John Roe. Roe tore his patellar tendon while diving for a ground ball in the eighth inning and will miss 12 days. Despite the setback, the Knights rallied to win.

 

Jack Hicks gave the Phantoms a 1-0 lead with a solo homer in the fourth inning. Joe Garland tied the game with a solo shot in the eighth. In the ninth, Jose Feliz singled to drive in the go-ahead run.

 

Game 2:

  • 4th Inning: Phantoms take the lead with a solo home run by Jack Hicks.
  • 8th Inning: Joe Garland ties the game with a solo home run.
  • 9th Inning: Jose Feliz drives in the winning run with a single.

 

Joe Garland: "John's injury really shook us, but we knew we had to rally and win it for him."

Jose Feliz: "I was just looking to make contact and get on base. It feels good to contribute to the win."

 

Key Performances:

  • Knights: Joe Garland (1-for-5, HR), Jose Feliz (2-for-2, RBI), Enrique Olivares (7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 8 K)
  • Phantoms: Jack Hicks (1-for-4, HR), Adrian Ellis (7 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 5 K)

 

Game 3: Phantoms Avoid Sweep with Strong Pitching (Phantoms win 3-1)

 

Attendance: 36,452

 

The Phantoms avoided a sweep with a 3-1 victory in Game 3, thanks to a dominant second inning and stellar pitching. The Knights took an early lead with Tommy Alcova scoring on Richard Callahan's single in the first inning. The Phantoms responded with three runs in the second inning, featuring hits from Alejandro Cordero, Billy Rollins, and Millard McClure.

Joe Foster and the Phantoms' bullpen held the Knights to just one run, securing the win.

 

Game 3:

  • 1st Inning: Knights score as Tommy Alcova crosses the plate on a single by Richard Callahan.
  • 2nd Inning: Phantoms score three runs with hits by Alejandro Cordero, Billy Rollins, and Millard McClure.

 

Alejandro Cordero: "We needed to come out strong today, and it was great to see everyone contribute."

Joe Foster: "I just focused on hitting my spots and trusting my defense. It was a great team effort."

 

Key Performances:

  • Phantoms: Billy Rollins (4-for-5, RBI), Alejandro Cordero (2-for-4, 2B, RBI), Joe Foster (7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 9 K)
  • Knights: Tommy Alcova (1-for-4, 3B, R), Richard Callahan (1-for-4, RBI), Chris Castle (6 IP, 11 H, 3 ER, 3 K)

 

Series MVP: Joe Garland

Despite the series loss, Joe Garland’s performance was exceptional. His home runs in both wins for the Knights and his leadership on and off the field earned him the Series MVP honors.

 

Garland’s Series Stats:

  • Batting Average: .500 (3-for-6)
  • Home Runs: 2
  • RBI: 3

 

Joe Garland: "It's always about the team. We played hard, and seeing John go down is tough, but we'll bounce back."

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