Smokies Edge Mudcats 2-1
Published on April 19, 2010 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
ZEBULON, N.C. - A classic pitchers' duel went to the Tennessee Smokies on Monday night, as Tennessee beat the Carolina Mudcats 2-1 thanks to an RBI single by Jake Opitz in the top of the ninth inning.
Starter Andrew Cashner pitched seven innings, only allowing one run on two hits. The right-hander struck out five batters in the game, increasing his Southern League lead to 25 strikeouts in 2010.
The Mudcats jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first. During Luis Terrero's at-bat, Kris Negron broke from second to try and steal first. Smokies catcher Robinson Chirinos made a throwing error that allowed Negron to score to put Carolina 1-0.
The pitchers settled into a nice groove until the top of the sixth. With Tony Campana at third and Starlin Castro at first, Ty Wright hit a grounder to third baseman Jake Kahaulelio. He threw onto second to retire Castro for the second out of the inning, but Carolina second baseman Jose Castro overshot first base with a throwing error to allow Wright to reach second and Campana to score to tie the game at one.
That was the only run Carolina starter Matt Klinker allowed in the contest. Like Cashner, he pitched seven innings while only allowing a run, although Klinker gave up five hits.
Tennessee's top of the ninth rally began with a Brandon Guyer single to lead off the inning. Guyer stole second base and advanced to third on a groundout by Ryan Flaherty. Optiz collected his seventh RBI of the season when he singled in Guyer to give Tennessee a 2-1 lead.
Ryan Buchter began the bottom of the ninth for Tennessee on the mound. He retired Yonder Alonso on a swinging strikeout before manager Bill Dancy brought in Jake Muyco for the final two outs. Muyco did allow a single but was able to record the save as he struck out Eric Eymann looking to end the game. Muyco now has a team-leading three saves this season.
The Smokies and Mudcats will play game two of the series at 11 a.m. tomorrow. Fans can listen to the game on smokiesbaseball.com. Tennessee's Chris Carpenter will face Carolina's Dallas Buck.
Southern League Stories from April 19, 2010
- Jaxx Drop Third Straight Monday Night - Jackson Generals
- BayBears Work Overtime Again, Downed by Braves in 11 - Mobile BayBears
- Braves Take First of Series in 11th - Mississippi Braves
- Suns Hold Off Barons in Eleven Innings - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Biscuits fall behind 6-0, lose 7-5 to Chattanooga - Montgomery Biscuits
- Lookouts Trump Biscuits, 7-5 - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Smokies Triumph over Mudcats - Knoxville Smokies
- Smokies Edge Mudcats 2-1 - Knoxville Smokies
- Smokies Add Carpenter To Roster Monday - Knoxville Smokies
- LHP Nick Hill placed on DL, RHP Luis Munoz added from Tacoma - Jackson Generals
- BayBears Best Barons In 17 At "The Hank" - Mobile BayBears
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