Down on the Farm: Cougars only winners on Opening Night
By David Miniel
Tennessee Smokies vs Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Cincinnati Reds Double-A):
Veteran right-handed starting pitcher Mat Latos took the mound for Cincinnati’s Double-A affiliate last night. He’s currently working his way back up to the starting rotation for the big league Reds after being placed on the 15-day disabled list. Tennessee got off to a great start, led by third base prospect Kris Bryant, who hit his first home run of the 2014 campaign on a fly ball to left center field. This was Bryant’s only hit of the game, but he was able to give his team a 2-0 lead in the top of the first.
Bryant would be hit by a pitch in the third inning, and ended up stealing second. He put himself in scoring position and would later score on a throwing error by Pensacola’s shortstop, Devin Lohman.
The Smokies would add one run in the second inning, then score their final two runs of the game in the third inning. Picking up RBIs during those two innings besides Bryant’s two in the first frame were center fielder Zeke DeVoss and catcher Rafael Perez.
Right handed pitcher Dae-Eun Rhee worked through four innings during last night’s loss to the Blue Wahoos. He gave up two hits, was charged with two runs, walked four batters and struck out four as well. He wasn’t charged with the loss, so he’ll carry a blank record with a 4.50 ERA into his next start. Pensacola starting tallying runs as they picked up two at the bottom half of the third inning.
Shortstop Jeudy Valdez committed an error, allowing pitcher Mat Latos to come around to score to kick things off for the Blue Wahoos. Devin Mesoraco picked up a sacrifice fly to right field, driving in Bryson Smith to make it a 5-2 ball game through three. Steve Selsky would help make it a 5-3 ball game after picking up an RBI on a sacrifice fly to right field in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Moving onto the sixth inning, shortstop Devin Lohman made it a 5-4 game after hitting an RBI double to left field allowing Juan Silverio to come around and score. Pensacola would add the final two runs of the game in the bottom of the eight off a Brodie Greene single.
Quick note: Jorge Soler was pulled from the game after seeing only one at-bat. He finished with a hit, and reports indicate that he was removed as a precautionary measure after he tweaked a hamstring injury that sidelined him earlier this spring.
Final Score: Blue Wahoos 6, Smokies 5.