SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Smokies cool off Biscuits 3-2

Published on April 15, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


Sevierville, TN - The offense still has not fully come around, but the Tennessee Smokies continue to get great pitching efforts as they go on to beat the Montgomery Biscuits at Smokies Park tonight by a 3-2 score. Jeff Samardzija pitched five solid innings again tonight, but did not factor in the decision as the Smokies improved their record to 8-4 on the season in front of 1,580 fans. Montgomery struck first tonight in the top half of the first inning. Erold Andrus singled to start the game off Samardzjia, who then walked the next batter Johnny Raburn. After a John Jaso fly out, Chris Nowak singled home Andrus to give the Biscuits an early 1-0 lead. Samardzija settled in after the first inning, retiring the next seven Montgomery batters in a row to allow the Smokies time to get back in the game. The Smokies pulled even in the bottom half of the third. Leadoff batter Nate Spears walked, then stole second to move into scoring position. Robinson Chirinos sacrificed Spears over to third on a well executed bunt, and then Corey Coles drove home the run with an RBI single. Coles was 2-3 on the night, the only Smokies batter with multiple hits on the night. Tennessee took the lead in the bottom half of the fourth when Doug Deeds scored after an infield hit by Kyle Reynolds moved him to third, and advanced home on a throwing error by Nowak. With the score 2-1, Biscuits second baseman Pat Cottrell launched a home run down the left field line to tie the game at 2-2. The Smokies then took the lead for good in the bottom half of the sixth off an RBI single from Chris Robinson off Biscuits reliever Steve Andrade (0-1). Robinson's fifth RBI of the season gave the Smokies a 3-2 lead.

The Smokies bullpen took over from there with a bend but don't break philosophy. Reliever Chris Shaver (2-0) threw two innings of scoreless relief to notch the win. Michael Cooper went 1 2/3 innings giving up four hits but allowing no runs, with Ed Campusano retiring Jaso to end the game to earn his first save of the season. The Smokies continue their series against the Montgomery Biscuits on Wednesday afternoon with a special game time beginning at 11:30 am. Smokies right-hander Mitch Atkins (1-0, 1.08) will face off against Biscuits left-hander James Houser (0-0, 0.90).

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Southern League Stories from April 15, 2008


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