The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

FOR the second time in the series against the Stockton Ports, D’Shawn Knowles delivered late-game heroics and another walk-off win for the Inland Empire 66ers.

Facing a 1-1 count in the bottom of the 11th inning, Knowles delivered in the clutch with the go-ahead RBI single to lift the 66ers to a 9-8 win over the Ports.

Regularly listed as an outfielder, Knowles got the start at shortstop and hit lead off in the lineup. He went 4-6 with two RBI and scored two runs.

He previously singled in the first, fifth and seventh innings prior to his game-clinching single in the 11th.

The Los Angeles Angels’ no.30 prospect in its pipeline, Knowles is currently second on the 66ers with a .313 batting average, five RBI and four stolen bases in his second season assigned to the club. It was the second four-hit game and second walkoff hit for the 21-year-old versatile outfielder in less than a week.

On April 19, a perfect night for Knowles came complete with a storybook ending - a walk-off hit in extra innings. His RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning lifted his Inland Empire 66ers to a 9-8 win over the Ports.

Facing a full count, his base hit to right field scored Werner Blakeley. The starting centre fielder finished the night 4-4 at the plate with two RBI and scored one run. Knowles singled in the first, fourth and eighth inning.

In 84 games last season, he hit .227 with a .280 OBP, a .635 OBP, five home-runs, 48 RBI, and a team leading 31 stolen bases.

“The fact that Knowles is a super high-energy player is a plus, but it’s also an obstacle. While he’s capable of making hard contact from both sides of the plate, he needs to learn to slow things down and rediscover his approach,” his MLB Pipeline prospect analysis said.

“On the plus side, the Angels had encouraged Knowles to use that speed more aggressively on the basepaths and he responded by going 31-for- 32 in stolen-base attempts last year.

“He’s a capable defender in centre field, but showed that not only can he handle all three outfield spots, but he started getting reps at shortstop as well.

“If he can get back to more regular contact, he could be an athletic super-utility type.”