By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — After watching Mike Bolsinger suffer through his worst outing of the season Friday night, Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn stated the obvious: If the Razorbacks had any hope of winning their weekend series against Kentucky, his starting rotation had to produce.
Left-hander Drew Smyly, who missed last week’s start because of a blister, was paying attention.
The sophomore returned to the rotation to lead Arkansas to a 10-1 win in front of an announced crowd of 9,173 in Baum Stadium on Saturday. A day after Kentucky’s lineup teed off on Bolsinger, Smyly frustrated the Wildcats in allowing one run on four hits during his seven-inning stint.
It helped Arkansas (21-6, 5-3 in Southeastern Conference) erase the disappointment from Friday night’s 12-8 loss to Kentucky and evened the weekend series. Arkansas and Kentucky (18-10, 2-6) will play the series finale today at 2:05.
“Obviously we needed to get seven to eight innings out of him,” Van Horn said. “He gave us exactly what we needed: Some innings.”
Smyly (3-0) said he still had some trouble with the blister that first formed during his start at LSU two weeks ago, but it didn’t keep him from throwing 105 pitches. With a fastball affected by the sore finger, Smyly compensated by mixing his pitches much more to keep the ‘Cats off balance.
Smyly — who said he tried to help his finger heal by dipping it in pickle juice and coating it with a prescription cream — walked seven batters and ran into some jams Saturday. Kentucky’s leadoff batter reached base in the first two innings. But he managed to keep the Wildcats off the scoreboard until Gunner Glad’s RBI single in the seventh.
It cut Arkansas’ lead to 10-1.
“It always gets under your skin when you give up leadoff walks,” Smyly said. “But when it happens you’ve got to shake it off and go to the next batter, bear down. You don’t want them to cross the plate. That’s what I was trying to do.”
Smyly was aided by an offense that continued to collect hits and runs even though one of its biggest bats left the game in the early innings.
First baseman Andy Wilkins had to be helped off the field when he pulled his hamstring after hitting a two-run double in the inning. The junior — who helped the Razorbacks take a 3-0 lead — clutched the back of his leg after rounding first and had to be helped off the field by trainers.
Van Horn said Wilkins, who leads Arkansas in home runs (10) and RBIs (39) will be sidelined for at least 10 days. It leaves a hole in the lineup.
“Someone has to pick us up,” Van Horn said. “A couple of guys need to get hot with the bat and produce. Andy is a run producer. We don’t expect guys to hit with Andy’s power, but they can still drive in runs or start rallies.”
Arkansas got plenty of contributions Saturday, roughing up Kentucky starter Taylor Rogers (3-3).
Collin Kuhn went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run in the fourth inning, while Zack Cox and Brett Eibner each collected two hits. Travis Sample — who got a rare start in right field — made the most of his playing time, too, going 3-for-4.
All nine Arkansas starters — and Jarrod McKinney, Wilkins’ replacement — recorded hits Saturday, giving Smyly a nice cushion to work with.
“It’s a huge difference,” Smyly said. “When you’re a pitcher and pitching with the lead, you go out and throw strikes. You’re able to go pitch and let the defense do the work.”
Van Horn said he will have to figure out who will start at first base for the series finale. Catcher James McCann and designated hitter Monk Kreeder, a backup catcher, are two potential candidates
Arkansas will send Eibner (2-2, 2.28 ERA), who played first base in Wilkins’ absence the final six inning Saturday, to the mound while Kentucky starts right-hander Alex Meyer (4-2, 6.15).
“(Friday) night was just a little disappointing,” Eibner said. “We came out here (Saturday) and did what we needed to do.”
