Cabrera dazzles for Smokies in 4-1 victory over the Generals

JACKSON, Tenn.  – Alberto Cabrera took a perfect game into the fifth inning receiving enough run support to defeat Jackson (10-11, 39-48) for the sixth consecutive game. The Smokies (13-8, 47-43) scored a run in the third inning, two runs in the fifth frame, and a run in the ninth propelling the visiting team to a 4-1 win.

Tennessee scored first in the top of the third inning. With one out, Jonathan Mota drew a walk. After a Matt Szczur single put runners at the corners, Arismendy Alcantara lined a single to center field that gave the Smokies a 1-0 lead.

Mota tripled to start the fifth inning on a drive to straightaway center. Szczur struck out swinging. Alcantara delivered again, slapping a single to left to extend the advantage to 2-0. With two outs, Justin Bour was hit-by-a-pitch that gave Christian Villanueva a chance to float a base hit into left giving Tennessee a 3-0 edge.

Cabrera retired the first 13 batters of the game until Ji-Man Choi blasted a home run over the fence in right field pulling the Generals within two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Smokies added to their lead in the top of the ninth inning. Szczur walked and Alcantara laced a single to right field. With Szczur at third base, a passed ball allowed the Tennessee outfielder to score and put the road team on top 4-1.

Cabrera (9-3) threw seven innings of one run baseball allowing three hits and one walk with three strikeouts earning his third win in his last four starts. Zac Rosscup walked a batter in the bottom of the ninth inning, but retired the next three batters to earn his third save of the year.

Mota went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored while Alcantara went 3-for-4 with two runs batted in and a run scored.

The Smokies will play their third doubleheader in five days Friday night beginning at 6:30 p.m. with game two thirty minutes after the conclusion of the first game. Yeiper Castillo (1-2, 4.19) will oppose Anthony Vazquez (1-0, 2.70) in game one. Austin Kirk (1-3, 7.76) will look to bounce back from a rough outing in his last start against Kyle Hunter (1-0, 1.44) in the second game.

AUDIO RECAP  SMOKIES  4  Generals  1

To stay current with all the latest news, follow Smokies on Radio on Twitter and like the Smokies on Radio Facebook page. Michael Wottreng is a Broadcast and Multimedia Assistant for the Smokies Radio Network. You can follow Michael on Twitter here: @MWottreng