Reynolds' homer sinks Mudcats

Published in Sports on July 28, 2006 2:04 PM

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SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. -- Mark Reynolds' three-run homer in the fifth inning snapped a 3-3 tie to lead Tennessee past Carolina 6-3 on Thursday night at Smokies Park.

Reynolds, who hit his 27th combined homer of the season, drilled a 3-2 pitch from Jose Garcia (3-4) against the zenith of the left field scoreboard. The blast was the second allowed by Garcia, whose second pitch of the game sailed over the right field wall off of Danny Richar's bat to tie the game 1-1.

Knoxville native Brett Carroll smoked a two-run shot in the eighth for Carolina (12-22) much to the delight of upwards of 40 friends and relatives in attendance for the fourth straight night. Carroll's 12th combined homer pulled the Mudcats to within 6-5, but two Smokies relievers would retire the final five batters of the game to hand the Mudcats their fifth straight loss.

Garcia allowed nine hits over five innings, his shortest Double-A start.

Greg Smith (4-3), who went 9-0 at High-A Lancaster, earned the win with six innings of three-run ball. Kevin Randel singled home a run in the first inning to put Garcia ahead, then a third inning single from Ryan Bear tied the game 2-2. J.C. Muniz broke the 2-2 score with an RBI-triple in the fourth inning before the Smokies (20-14) tied the game in the fourth on the second of Alberto Gonzalez's RBI-doubles.

Carolina fell to 7-17 against the Smokies, who moved into sole possession of first place in the North, dropping the Mudcats eight games back. Carolina lost its eighth straight road game.