NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Tennessee Smokies

Smokies eliminated from contention with 5-4 loss Wednesday

August 28, 2008 - Southern League (SL1)
Tennessee Smokies News Release


SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Smokies' 2008 home finale Wednesday night had a little bit of everything. A back and forth contest that saw six lead changes, two substantial rain delays and the Smokies' season coming down to the final pitch of the game well past midnight. Unfortunately for the Smokies, the glass slipper would not fit as the Chattanooga Lookouts rallied for a 5-4 win early Thursday morning. With the loss, the Smokies were eliminated from contention for a Southern League playoff berth.

Mother Nature played a role in the Smokies being eliminated from contention. Rain passing through the area delayed Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader by 1 hour, 45 minutes. When play began at 7:15 p.m., the Smokies jumped on the board for an early 1-0 lead on a Jake Fox fielder's choice.

Chattanooga's Chris Valaika put the Lookouts on the board with a home run to right. One out later, teammate Eric Eymann followed with a solo shot of his own to left center. Both shots came off Smokies starter Donnie Veal, who would only throw two innings due to a second rain delay in the bottom of the second.

In the bottom of the second, the Smokies put runners on second and third with two out. Sam Fuld drove a Pedro Viola pitch to left center for a single, scoring Matt Matulia and Welington Castillo. The 3-2 lead would hold up for awhile as rain delayed the contest by another 2 hours, 51 minutes. As a result of the extensive delay, Game 2 of the scheduled doubleheader was cancelled.

When play resumed in the top of the third, the Lookouts' Chris Heisey tied the game at three with a home run to left. Tennessee's Jake Fox responded in the bottom of the frame with a solo shot of his own, to put the Smokies back up, 4-3.

Much like Saturday night's loss, the Smokies were unable to respond to two late Chattanooga runs. The Lookouts scored a run in the sixth to tie the game at four, and went ahead in the eighth for good on another Heisey RBI, this time on a double to the left field wall.

The Smokies had their chances in the bottom of the eighth though. With two outs, pinch hitter Doug Deeds doubled to left field off Lookouts' reliever Sean Watson. Sam Fuld then came up to the plate and drew a favorable 2-0 count. Even at 3-2, things looked positive for the Smokies. That was until Watson struck out Fuld on a called third strike at 1:16 a.m. to end the game, and the Smokies chance for a postseason berth.

The Smokies head to the Raleigh-metro area Thursday to face the Carolina Mudcats in the final series of the year for both teams. Although the Smokies cannot earn a postseason berth, they will be looking to end the second half of the year with a winning record (currently 33-31).

Check out the Tennessee Smokies Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Southern League message board...

Southern League Stories from August 28, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central