Monthly Archives: April 2011

The Tennessee Smokies announced this afternoon the promotion of RHP Kevin Rhoderick from the High-A Daytona Cubs.  In a related roster move, RHP David Cales has been placed on the disabled list.  Rhoderick will be available for tonight’s game with the Carolina Mudcats.

The Tennessee Smokies

Rhoderick will join the Smokies for the first in his very young career. This season he made his professional debut with the Daytona Cubs. In 7 appearances with the D-Cubs, he was 2-0 with a 1.26 earned run average. The Scottsdale, Ariz. native was selected by Chicago in the 9th round of the 2010 MLB draft. He is the youngest player on the current Tennessee Smokies roster in terms of professional baseball experience.

David Cales heads to the disabled list after 9 appearances with Tennessee this season. In those 9 appearances, Cales was 0-2 with 4 saves and a 3.86 earned run average.

Tonight, the Smokies battle the Mudcats again as they try to take the series. The Smokes had a terrific comeback last night to win 10-6 over Carolina. The win improved the Smokies record to 15-7 while the Mudcats fell to 5-17.

First Pitch:  6:15 PM(EST)

Radio:  99.1 FM & 990 AM - The Sports Animal

Internet:  Click Here To Listen

Tonight is a Friday night fireworks at the ballpark and the fans are hoping the Smokies bring some fireworks of their own. Last night the Smokies defeated the Mudcats despite a slew of errors. On the night, the Smokies committed 4 errors but scored 8 runs on 12 hits to get the win. Alberto Cabrera improved to 3-0 on the season.

Fireworks at Smokies Park

This evening, Brooks Raley will get the start for Tennessee. Raley is still looking for his first Southern League win as he is winless in his 3 starts this season. He carries a 6.92 earned run average into the game. The positive news for Raley is that he has lowered his season earned run average in each of the last 2 starts despite not getting the win.

Opposite Raley will be Daryl Thompson for the Mudcats. In 2011, he is 0-2 with a 6.75 earned run average. The Mudcats enter the game with the worst record in the Southern League at 5-16 overall. Meanwhile, the Smokies are atop the North Division with a 14-7 record.

First Pitch:  7:15 PM(EST)

Radio:  106.3 FM - The Zone

Internet:  Click Here To Listen

After a 10-day road trip to Zebulon and Jacksonville, the Smokies return to Smokies Park to face those same Carolina Mudcats. So far in 2011, the Smokies are 3-2 against Carolina. Coming into tonight’s contest, the Mudcats are 8 games back of Tennessee in the North Division at 5-15 overall.

Smokies' Alberto Cabrera

On the mound for Tennessee will be Alberto Cabrera. He carries a 2-0 record and a 5.06 earned run average into tonight’s game. His most recent start was against the Mudcats back on April 22nd. That night, he allowed 4 runs in 6 innings of work to earn the win. In his career against Carolina, Cabrera is 1-1 with a 6.26 earned run average in 5 starts.

Opposite Cabrera will be Travis Webb for Carolina. In 2011, Webb is 0-2 with a 13.03 earned run average. As a team, Carolina has a 5.63 earned run average which is last in the Southern League.

First Pitch:  7:15 PM(EST)

Radio:  99.1 FM & 990 AM – The Sports Animal

Internet:  Click Here To Listen

This afternoon while you’re at work, you can listen to the final game of Tennessee’s series at Jacksonville. Thus far in the series, the Smokies have won 3 out of 4 and on the current 10-day road trip, the Smokies are 6-3. Last night, the Smokies defeated Jacksonville 6-1 scoring all 6 runs and 11 of their 16 hits in the first final four innings. Earning his first Southern League win was Trey McNutt.

Tennessee's Newest Pitcher

Going on the mound for Tennessee today will be Robert Whitenack, who is making his Class AA debut. He joins the Smokies from Daytona where he was 3-0 with a 1.17 earned run average. In 23 innings pitched for Daytona, Whitenack walked only 1 batter while striking out an impressive 25 strikeouts. In the 2009 draft, he was selected in the 8th round by Chicago.

Opposite the Smokies starter will be Darin Downs. So far in 2011, Downs is 0-1 with a 3.63 earned run average in 3 starts. Downs had perhaps his best start of 2011 on April 11th against Huntsville. In the start, he pitched 6 strong innings now allowing a single run. His most recent outing, however, was his worst of 2011. Against Mobile on the 22nd, he pitched 5 and 1/3 innings giving up 5 earned runs on 9 hits.

First Pitch:  1:05 PM(EST)

Radio:  106.3 FM in Pigeon Forge & 1480 AM in Jefferson City

Internet:  Click Here To Listen

Yesterday afternoon at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, the Smokies were able to win a classic pitcher’s duel. With the game tied at 3 in the 8th inning, Rebel Ridling broke the tie with a solo homerun, his 4th homerun of 2011, that would prove to be the winning run. Marco Carrillo got the win pitching two shutout innings in relief of Chris Rusin. Blake Parker came on in the bottom of the 8th inning and closed the door on the Suns to earn his first save of 2011. The win improved the Smokies to 12-5 on the season putting them in a tie with Huntsville for the best record in the Southern League.

Smokies' Rebel Ridling

Tonight, the Smokies will try to get the series win. On the mound for Tennessee will be Rafael Dolis. So far in 2011, Dolis has been spectacular for the Smokies. In 2011, Dolis is 1-0 with a 1.46 earned run average in 3 starts. In his last start, Dolis left the game in the 3rd inning with a minor back injury but was not expected to miss a start. That night, Dolis had pitched 2 and 1/3 innings not allowing a single hit against Carolina. Dolis is averaging just over 9 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched this season.

For Jacksonville, it will be lefty Brad Hand. Coming into the game, Hand is 2-1 with a 2.50 earned run average. Hand has only allowed 2 earned runs over his last 14 innings pitched earning the win in both of those starts. This will only be Hand’s 5th career start with Jacksonville. The Minneapolis native was selected in the 2nd round of the 2008 draft by the Florida Marlins out of Chaska(MN) High School.

First Pitch: 7:05 PM(EST)

Radio: 990 AM - The Sports Animal

Internet: Click Here To Listen

A happy Easter to each and every one of our fans, wherever you may be today. This afternoon, the Smokies will battle the Jacksonville Suns in game 2 of a 5-game series. Last night, the Smokies started the series off on the right foot with a 7-3 win thanks in large part to an outstanding performance by the bullpen. The Suns were held scoreless over the final 4 innings of the game by the Smokies bullpen. Matt Spencer and Josh Vitters each homered for the Smokies to pace the team at the plate. With the win, the Smokies improved to 11-5 overall and remained in a tie for 1st place with Huntsville.

Smokies' Chris Rusin

This afternoon, Chris Rusin will get the start for the Smokies. On the season, Rusin is 1-0 with a 6.43 earned run average. This will be Rusin’s 4th start of the 2011 season for Tennessee. He is looking for his first win since Opening Day when he pitched 5 innings allowing only 3 runs against Chattanooga.

Opposite Rusin will be the Suns’ Omar Poveda. Coming into this afternoon’s contest, Poveda is 1-0 with a 4.20 earned run average. Thus far in 2011, Poveda is searching for some consistency. His first start of the season he allowed 3 runs in 5 innings. He followed that up tossing 6 shutout innings in Jackson against the Generals to earn his first win. But the very next start he gave up 4 runs on 8 hits in just 4 innings of work versus Mobile.

First Pitch:  3:05 PM(EST)

Radio:  990 AM - The Sports Animal

Internet:  Click Here To Listen

The two teams who have met in the last 2 Southern League Championship Series’ will do battle again, this time for 5 games in Jacksonville. The Smokies continue on their longest road trip of the season as they travel from Zebulon, NC to Jacksonville, FL. Tonight at 6:05 PM(EST) the Smokies will return to the spot where their incredible 2010 season came to an end.

2010 SLCS

So far in 2011, the Suns have gone 8-7 which is good for 3rd place in the South Division. Tonight, they’ll send lefty Graham Taylor to the mound. Taylor has made one start on the season going five innings allowing 1 run, it was unearned. He was a 10th round selection out of Miami-OH in the 2006 MLB draft.

For Tennessee it will be lefty Brooks Raley. Coming into tonight’s contest, Raley is 0-2 with a 7.27 earned run average. Raley showed improvement in his last start as he only allowed 2 earned runs in 5 innings to drop his ERA by more than 5.00.

First Pitch:  6:05 PM(EST)

Radio:  99.1 FM & 990 AM - The Sports Animal

Internet:  Click Here To Listen

This evening, Carolina and Tennessee will battle in a rubber game. By definition, a rubber game is one in which the winner takes the series. After taking 2 of 3 to begin the series, Tennessee fell last night to the Mudcats by a score of 5-3. The loss dropped Tennessee’s record to 9-5 and the win improved Carolina to 3-11. The bright spot for Tennessee was Brett Jackson. On the night, he slammed his 3rd homerun of the season to cut the deficit from three to two in the 8th inning.

Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

Going on the mound for Tennessee tonight is Alberto Cabrera. Coming into tonight’s contest, Cabrera is 1-0 on the season with a 4.50 earned run average. Last time out, he threw 6 innings allowing just 2 earned runs on 7 hits to earn the win, his first with the Smokies.

Opposite Cabrera will be Jordan Hotchkiss for Carolina. He sports a 5.79 earned run average with a 1-1 record overall. Hotchkiss was a 31st round pick in 2007 by the Reds out of Brevard College(NC). This will be his 6th career start in the Southern League.

First Pitch:  7:15 PM(EST)

Radio:  106.3 FM - The Zone

Internet: Click Here To Listen

After winning their second straight game against the Mudcats, tonight the Smokies look for their 3rd straight series win to begin the season. Last night, the Smokies offense woke up to the tune of 8 runs in the final 4 innings en route to a 9-5 victory at Five County Stadium. Brett Jackson paced Tennessee at the plate going 3 for 4 with a homerun and 3 runs driven in.

Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover

Returning to the mound for Tennessee tonight will be Trey McNutt. After missing one start due to a blister injury, McNutt is back in the rotation for the Smokies. In his first start of the season, McNutt threw 2 and 2/3 scoreless innings before leaving the game with the injury.

On the hill for Carolina will be Dallas Buck. Coming into tonight’s game, Buck is 0-1 with a 10.38 earned run average.

First Pitch: 7:15 PM(EST)

Radio: 99.1 FM – The Sports Animal

Internet: Click Here To Listen

Smokies' Rafael Dolis

In last night’s game versus Carolina, starter Rafael Dolis had to leave the game due to an apparent back injury. Tyrelle Harris came in on relief of Dolis to earn the win. Earlier this afternoon, Mick Gillispie caught up with manager Brian Harper to get the latest on the Dolis injury.

“Well, he had some lower back tightness. I don’t know the exact medical term of it but he was doing a lot better today. I really don’t think he’s going to miss a start,” said Harper on Dolis’ injury.

The Smokies rotation has been a fluid situation as of late due to inuries however, tomorrow Trey McNutt is scheduled to make the start. He recently had a blister on his throwing hand forcing him to miss a start.