Mets eek past Reds, 5-1, to take series finale

KINGSPORT, Tenn. -- 1B Rylan Thomas socked a solo home run and RHP Ricky Karcher hurled four innings of one-run ball, but it was not enough, as the Kingsport Mets captured the series finale from the Greeneville Reds, 5-1, on Friday night at Hunter Wright Stadium.
With the loss, Greeneville drops to 7-15 on the campaign. Kingsport's victory improved their overall mark to 13-9.
Friday evening's contest got off to a promising start, as Thomas (1-2, R, HR, RBI, 2 BB) ripped the first pitch of the second-inning over the right-center field wall for a solo home run. The clout - his team-leading fourth of the season - put the Reds ahead early, 1-0.
However, that would be the only time Greeneville crossed the plate, as Kingsport held the Redlegs scoreless over the game's final seven frames.
In the third, the Mets managed to tie the game. RF Ranfy Adon (3-4, 2 R, 3B, SO) began the inning with a bunt single and advanced to second on a stolen base. After a groundout moved him to third, LF Yoel Romero (3-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI, SO) dunked a bloop double into right field to even the game at one.
The contest remained tied until Kingsport grabbed the lead for good in the fifth. With one out, Adon uncorked a triple into the right-center field gap and scored on a fielding error to give the Mets a 2-1 edge. DH L.A. Woodward (0-3, R, RBI) - who reached on the error - proceeded to steal second base and crossed the dish on a run-scoring knock to center by Romero, putting Kingsport up two, 3-1.
Single runs from the K-Mets in the sixth and seventh would put the game out of reach. CF Jarred Kelenic (0-3, R, BB, SO) reached on a one-out walk, stole second, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on a wild pitch in the sixth to extend Kingsport's lead to 4-1. In the seventh, Romero singled and SS Shervyen Newton (0-3, BB, 2 SO) walked to start the frame before the former scored on a grounder to the pitcher to make it a four-run affair.
The defeat put a damper on a great return to the mound for Karcher (4.0 IP, 3 H, R, ER, BB, 5 SO). After leaving his last start on July 2 in Johnson City with an apparent injury, the 20-year-old put together his best start of the season, walking just one and striking out a season-best five.
RHP Willy Taveras (5.0 IP, 5 H, R, ER, 4 SO) - who was added to the Mets roster for the Gulf Coast League earlier in the day - shined in his Appalachian League debut, yielding one run in five frames to earn his first league win and third triumph of the year. RHP Eric Villanueva (0.2 IP) came on with the tying run on-deck in the ninth and recorded a pop out and ground out to garner his first professional save.
It was a tough evening for RHP Stephen Keller (1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, ER, 2 SO). The 20-year-old showed improved command on Friday, but issued two runs (one earned) in his inning of work, suffering his first defeat of the season.
Greeneville will return home on Saturday night to try and right the ship against the Bristol Pirates. LHP Jacob Heatherly (0-2, 9.26 ERA) - Cincinnati's No. 15 prospect according to Baseball America - is expected to take the ball for the Redlegs, while Bristol is projected to counter with LHP Roger Santana (3-1, 2.79 ERA).
The G-Reds Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 6:45 p.m. ET, leading up to the 7:00 p.m. ET start at Pioneer Park. Saturday night's contest can be heard on GreenevilleReds.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps. 
It will be Star Wars Night at the ballpark tomorrow evening featuring special movie-themed uniforms, music, food, and on-field games. In addition, the first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a special Lightsaber Giveaway courtesy of Consumer Credit Union. That night's themed jersey's will be auctioned off to benefit the United Way of Greene County.
Season and single-game tickets are still available and can be purchased online at GreenevilleReds.com or by calling the Reds' Ticket Office at (423) 609-7400.