SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Smokies fall in extras to Mudcats Friday night, 6-3

July 1, 2011 - Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


KODAK, Tenn. - After a back-and-forth game the Tennessee Smokies were unable to hold the Carolina Mudcats off the scoreboard in extra innings and fell by a 6-3 tally in 10 innings. The loss, in front of 5,790 fans, drops the Smokies to 5-4 for the second half and 48-31 overall. Carolina improved to 4-5 for the second half and 27-52 overall.

Another high scoring contest appeared inevitable after both teams put up a pair of runs in the first. Mike Costanzo doubled with two outs in the top half, and Neftali Soto followed with a two-run homer to put Carolina up 2-0.

Brett Jackson swung at the first pitch he saw and crushed it over the right-centerfield wall. Junior Lake then tripled to center and Ryan Flaherty grounded out to bring him in and tie it at 2-2.

Smokies starter Dallas Beeler then settled in working four shutout innings.

Tennessee finally broke the tie and took a 3-2 lead in the sixth, as Rebel Ridling extended his hitting streak to five games with a single with one out and later scored on a Steve Clevenger sacrifice fly.

The Mudcats responded in the next half inning, as Yasmani Grandal hit a solo home run off Beeler to right center to even the score at 3-3.

Once the game went into extras, it was all Carolina. Jose Castro started the inning with a single to right. Quintin Berry then reached on a throwing error by Smokies reliever Rafael Dolis, and two batters later, Denis Phipps blasted a three-run shot off Dolis (4-5). Tim Hamulack (1-1) picked up the win, with Travis Webb (S, 1) getting the save.

The Mudcats comeback negated a strong performance by Beeler. He received the no-decision after putting together a quality start, allowing three runs on six hits in seven innings and striking out two.

The Smokies and Mudcats will continue their Independence Day Weekend series Saturday night at 6:15 at Smokies Park. Chris Rusin (3-2, 4.24) will start for Tennessee and will face-off against Pedro Villareal (3-1, 4.88). The Smokies will have a special Saturday night fireworks extravaganza following the game. For tickets fans can visit www.smokiesbaseball.com or call 865-286-2300.

Check out the Knoxville Smokies Statistics



Southern League Stories from July 1, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central