AppealStaffReport
The Carson Cardinals looked to be on their way to a comeback before falling in the opener of a doubleheader against the Reno Muckdogs on Friday at Ron McNutt Field.
After the Muckdogs won the opener 11-6 they jumped on the Cardinals by scoring 13 runs in the first inning in the nightcap on their way to a 19-2 win to finish off the sweep. Brett Valley and Cody Barr each had five hits in the doubleheader to lead the Cardinals.
The Cardinals trailed 8-1 going into the bottom of the sixth when Tommy Preston walked and Paul Cagle was hit by a pitch. After Barr singled, Brooks Hutchins hit an RBI single.
Tyler Smith then walked to force in a run and the Cardinals went on to cut the deficit to 8-5 when they scored two runs on an error. The Cardinals still had runners at first and third with no outs when a strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play essentially ended the rally when the runner was picked off at third after a strikeout. The Cardinals had three baserunners thrown out in the game.
After the Muckdogs took an 11-5 lead in the seventh, the Cardinals scored on Barr's RBI single for the final margin. Valley had three hits and two stolen bases and Barr had three hits.
Starting pitcher Tyler Hutchins allowed eight runs, six earned, over five-plus innings. He received defensive help in the second with the Muckdogs leading 3-1. The Muckdogs hit a fly ball to right field and Smith threw home to Cagle to nail the runner at the plate for the inning-ending double play.
Hutchins also worked out of a jam in the third after the Muckdogs had runners at first and third with no outs. Hutchins got a strikeout, a popup and a groundout to prevent the Muckdogs from scoring.
In the nightcap, Valley and Barr each had two hits, Colby Blueberg doubled and Smith hit an RBI single. The Cardinals are next scheduled to play at noon Sunday against Galena at McNutt Field.