K-Tribe falls in home opener

Published in Sports on April 10, 2007 1:48 PM

• Print
• Email

KINSTON -- K-Tribe third baseman Wes Hodges hit his first professional home run, but it wasn't enough as Kinston fell to Wilmington 2-1 on Monday night.

There were 3,661 in attendance for Kinston's home opener as the K-Tribe kicked off a seven-game homestand.

Wilmington's Mario Lisson struck the deciding blow in the top of the third inning with a two-run home run, giving Wilmington a 2-0 lead the Blue Rocks would not lose.

Hodges hit a solo home run in the top of the seventh inning that started a two-out rally for the Tribe. Nathan Panther followed with a single. One batter latter, Brian Finegan banged a double off the wall to get runners on second and third, but the K-Tribe rally ended there.

Kinston starter Sung-Wei Tseng, the top amateur player from Chinese Taipei, pitched well in his professional debut going five innings and giving up four hits. Relievers Chris Niesel and Randy Newsom came out of the bullpen to throw a combined four scoreless innings for Kinston.

Wilmington starter Michael Penn pitched brilliantly, giving up no runs while striking out eight through five strong innings.

Kinston returns to Grainger Stadium for game two of the series today at 7 p.m. Cleveland Indians starter Cliff Lee will take the hill for the K-Tribe, making a rehab appearance. Lee went 14-11 with a 4.40 ERA for the Cleveland Indians last season. He is currently on the 15-day DL.