Sevierville, TN - Jason Stokes homered to tie the game in the ninth, then doubled in the tie-breaking runs in the 11th inning as Carolina defeated Tennessee 10-3 at Smokies Park on Tuesday night.

Stokes hit a massive home run against Nick Stocks one pitch after Chip Ambres (1-5, r, 3b, ibb, cs) was thrown out stealing in the ninth inning to tie the game 3-3. Stokes homer cleared the left field wall, flew over the outdoor picnic area, sailing over the six-foot retainer wall and into the shrubbery up the hillside before coming to a rest beyond the reach of any fan wanting a souvenir.

In the 11th, Eric Reed (1-6, r, 2k, sb) bounced a single to centerfield to open the inning against Josh Kinney (L, 0-3). After a steal of second by Reed, Josh Wilson (3-6, r, 2b, rbi) doubled off the top of the left field wall, sending Reed to third. Ambres was intentionally walked to face Stokes (HR, 15, 2-5, 2r, 2b, 3rbi, k) who smacked a two-run double over Skip Schumaker's head in centerfield. Carolina (27-25) added five more runs in the inning against Kinney, assuming a 10-3 lead.

The Mudcats established residence in third place by themselves, remaining two games behind Chattanooga in the East with 18 to play in the first half.

After being shutout on two hits through seven innings, Carolina tied the Smokies (26-26) on a pinch-hit two-run double by Jeff Inglin (1-1, 2b, 2rbi) in the eighth against Stocks. Jeremy Cummings worked seven-plus innings, allowing three hits and two runs, and was lifted in the eighth after a double by Pat Magness (1-5, r, 2b) and a walk to Josh Willingham (0-3, 2r, 2w, 2k). After a sacrifice by Matt Demarco (0-3, rbi, s, sf) moved the runners ahead, Inglin followed with an opposite-gap double to tie the game 2-2.

The Smokies reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the eighth on a two-out single by Chris Duncan against Todd Moser.

Corey Erickson hit a two-run homer against Nic Ungs in the third inning, Ungs' only mistake of a strong seven-inning start. Ungs (ND, 7ip, 7h, 2r, 2er, 1w, 8k) matched his season high with eight strikeouts.

Randy Messenger (W, 3-0, 2ip, 0h, 0r, 2w, 2k) worked two innings to earn his third win. Ruddy Lugo (ND, 1ip, 0h, 0r, 1w, 0k) made his Carolina debut pitching the last of the 11th.

Bill Murphy (5-1, 3.04) starts the third game of the series on Wednesday night against Luis Martinez (3-5, 5.26) at 7:15 PM ET.

Carolina 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 7 --- 10 11 1 5
Tennessee 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 --- 3 9 2 11

WP - Messenger (3-0)
LP - Kinney (0-3)
S - None.

HR - Stokes (15), Erickson (8)

Time: 3:20
Att: 2,626

Notes: Following the game, RHP Mike McNutt was promoted back to Triple-A Albuquerque. McNutt's roster spot will be taken by Brian Strelitz, who has pitched this season at High-A Jupiter, compiling a 2-0 record with one save and an ERA of 4.06... Stokes has 15 homers and 50 RBI in the first 52 games of the season. The Carolina franchise records are 23 HR (Mark Johnson, 1994) and 102 RBI (George Canale, 1995)... IF Billy Hall, returned from Triple-A for the third time this season, drew a pinch-hit walk in the eighth inning and then doubled in a run in the 11th... Prior to Stokes tying homer in the ninth inning, Ambres reached on an error by Stocks handling Ambres' bunt. Stokes attempted to sacrifice Ambres to second base on the first pitch, but after an appeal, bunted through the pitch for strike one. On an 0-2 pitch, Ambres was thrown out stealing. On the 1-2 pitch, Stokes clobbered his homer. In Stokes' pro career, he has zero sacrifice bunts.

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