SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Mudcats Top Smokies in 12

Published on August 27, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


Zebulon, NC - Jesus Medrano scrambled home from third base on a wild pitch to give Carolina a 12-inning 4-3 win late Wednesday night at Five County Stadium. Tennessee (34-30, 69-65) fell out of first place for the second time in three days with the extra inning loss, but the Smokies still hold a 3½ game wild card lead with five games remaining should the Mudcats win the second half.

Tennessee nearly avoided a Carolina rally in the 12th. Ryan Jorgensen reached base on a one out single, but was thrown out at the plate on Merano's double. Chip Ambres and Brandon Harper were issued intentional walks to load the bases before Sprague's wild pitch scored Medrano for the win and Carolina's only lead of the game.

Carolina (34-28, 76-54) tied the game at three in the eighth inning when pinch hitter Jesus Medrano singled to left field against Josh Kinney. Chris Ashby - who reached base on a leadoff walk - scored when left fielder Matt Lemanczyk ran past the ball in left field.

The Smokies looked to be in control when Chris Duncan stroked a two-out pinch-hit two-run homer against Carolina starter Nic Ungs to give the Smokies the largest lead of the game for either team. Duncan's first Southern League home run followed a two-out double by Corey Erickson and put Tennessee ahead 3-1 in the seventh. The Smokies were held scoreless on three hits over the final 5 innings.

The Smokies return home for a season ending four game series beginning Friday at Smokies Park. The Carolina series concludes Thursday at 7:15 p.m. with Juan Pena (4-5, 3.53) pitching opposite Denny Bautista (4-4, 3.54).

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Southern League Stories from August 27, 2003


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