By The Associated Press

LOUISVILLE - The Louisville Bats used hitting at the plate and elsewhere on the field in taking a 12-1 win Tuesday from the Charlotte Knights in International League play.

A bench-clearing brawl in the 5th inning and one in the 8th inning resulted in two Bats players and three Knights players being ejected from the game, along with Louisville manager Rick Burleson.

The first fight started after a collision at home plate, resulting in the ejection of Louisville left fielder Stephen Smitherman and Knights pitcher Kelly Wunsch and catcher Ryan Hankins.

Benches cleared again in the 8th inning when Knights pitcher Jose Santiago hit catcher Jason LaRue, on a rehab assignment from Cincinnati, in the head. Bats pitcher Mark Watson also was thrown out of the game.

Before leaving the game, LaRue hit a two-run home run in the 4th inning.

Bats pitcher Matt Belisle (4-3) gave up three runs on seven hits in six innings for the win. Dan Wright (0-2) gave up 10 runs on eight hits in 3.1 innings for the Knights.