Segovia's Three Hits and Francis' 8 Ks Not Enough in 6-4 Opening Night Loss

KINSTON, N.C. - Carolina's Opening Night starter Bowden Francis totaled eight strikeouts over four innings, lead off man Joantgel Segovia went 3-for-5 with a RBI and the Carolina offense rallied late to tie things up in the seventh, but the Wood Ducks quickly answered back to hold off the Mudcats while taking Thursday's season opener 6-4 at Grainger Stadium in Kinston.

The Wood Ducks (1-0) were led by outfielder Leody Taveras who ended up going 4-for-4 with a double, a triple and four RBI in the season opening victory. Taveras doubled in the first, had a RBI triple in the fourth, singled in a run in the fifth and singled in another run in the seventh. 
Taveras' run scoring hit in the seventh broke what had briefly been a 4-4 tie and ended up being the eventual game winner. He also stole second in the seventh which induced a throwing error from catcher Payton Henry that led to the second Down East run of the inning. Henry was charged with two throwing errors in the game, but also caught three runners attempting to steal in his Carolina (0-1) debut.
The Mudcats had trailed 4-1 before coming back with three runs in the seventh against reliever Kaleb Fontenot while tying the game at 4-4. The seventh inning rally started with a lead off double from Ryan Aguilar and then a single to left from Eddie Silva. Zach Clark then doubled in Aguilar and Silva later scored on a run scoring groundout from Devin Hairston. Segovia then singled with two outs in the seventh to score Clark and to tie the game.
Segovia went 3-for-5 with the game tying RBI in the Opening Night loss. Each of his three hits came in his final three at-bats. The Mudcats also got a multi-hit night from Aguilar who went 2-for-4 with a double and a single. Clark also doubled in his Carolina debut and went 1-for-4 with a run and a RBI overall.
Thursday's opener ended in a 6-4 victory for the Wood Ducks, but first began as a pitcher's duel as both starters turned in solid season debuts. 
Francis started for Carolina and worked through three scoreless with seven strikeouts before giving up a couple of runs and a couple of hits in the fourth. He ended up going four full frames, while reaching 75 pitches, and totaled eight strikeouts against just one walk. He also allowed five hits and two runs in all.
Tyler Phillips started for the Wood Ducks and worked through five scoreless innings with just one hit and four strikeouts. He left before the sixth and with the Wood Ducks leading 4-0 in the game. 
The Down East bullpen would eventually let the Mudcats back in the game after allowing one Carolina run in the sixth and then three more to tie the game in the seventh. The Mudcats rallied for a run and three hits in the sixth against reliever Michael Matuella (1.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 SO) and then three runs on four hits in the seventh versus Fontenot (0.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER). Joe Barlow (W, 1-1, 0.00 ERA,1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 SO) eventually pitched the rest of the seventh and all of the eighth while holding the Mudcats scoreless. Peter Fairbanks (S, 1) then worked a scoreless ninth and struck out two while earning the save.
Carolina's pen inherited a 2-0 deficit after four, before allowing two more Down East runs in the fifth. Matt Hardy (1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB) followed Francis and allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit in the fifth. Matt Smith (3.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) then pitched the remained of the game and allowed two unearned runs on one hit over the final three innings. Smith (0-1, 0.00) also matched a career high with five strikeouts in what was his first game since the 2016 season.
In all, the Carolina pitching staff combined for 15 strikeouts in the first game of the season. They also allowed six runs (three earned) on seven hits in Thursday's opener in Kinston. The Carolina defense, meanwhile, totaled four errors in the game.
The series will continue on Friday night at Grainger Stadium with the first pitch scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Right-hander Nelson Hernandez (0-0, -.--) will start for the Mudcats on Friday in Kinston. The game will air on the Mudcats Radio Network, the Big Dawg 98.5 FM, on the MiLB First Pitch App and via TuneIn Radio at carolinamudcats.com.
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