SL1 Carolina Mudcats

Tennessee defeats Carolina

Published on June 26, 2010 under Southern League (SL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release


Sevierville, TN --- Matt Spencer clubbed a two-run homer in the eighth inning to lead Tennessee to a 7-6 comeback victory over the Carolina Mudcats at Smokies Park on Saturday night.

Carolina (1-4) held a 6-3 lead after a two-run homer by pitcher Matt Fairel in the fourth inning. The Mudcats drilled the two-time reigning pitcher of the week Hung-Wen Chen for six runs on nine hits over six innings, but the bullpen could not hold the lead for the third time in five games against the first-half champion Smokies (4-1).

Tennessee scratched a run in the sixth against reliever Jeremy Horst thanks to a two-out single by Marwin Gonzalez, then in the seventh, with Tony Campana at second base with two outs, Campana stole third against Jerry Gil, with catcher Devin Mesoraco's throw sailing into left field to score Campana to make it 6-5. After the play, manager David Bell and Mesoraco were ejected by home plate umpire Jason Cooksey after the Mudcats contended that Mesoraco was hit by the bat on the swing by Russ Canzler. After an initial calm discussion with Bell, Cooksey ejected Mesoraco as he dropped into his crouch following the run. Bell then raced onto the field to argue with Cooksey, but was immediately run by Cooksey as well.

The Mudcats were still leading 6-5 into the bottom of the eighth before Jerry Gil (L, 3-3) surrendered a two-run homer to Spencer to right field to give the Smokies the lead.

Dave Sappelt had his second consecutive three-RBI game, singling home a first home run and homering against Chen in the third. Fairel became the 20th Mudcats pitcher to hit a home run, and the first since Aaron Thompson on July 31, 2008, when he launched a two-run shot to right field.

Fairel allowed all three of his runs and all three hits in the first inning, then held the Smokies hitless over his next four innings.

The Mudcats close out their six-game series against the Smokies on Sunday at 5:00 PM ET with league ERA leader Matt Klinker (4-4, 1.79) starting against Alberto Cabrera.

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Southern League Stories from June 26, 2010


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