Smokies take opener from Lookouts, 3-2
August 17, 2009 - Southern League (SL1)
Tennessee Smokies News Release
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. - Blake Lalli continued his march towards the Southern League batting title this year, going 2-3 Monday night to raise his league-leading batting average to .329. More importantly for the Tennessee Smokies, one of the two hits delivered a key two-run double to propel the Smokies to a 3-2 win over the Chattanooga Lookouts in front of 2,353 at Smokies Park. The win pulled the Smokies (26-25) into a second place tie with the Lookouts (26-25), one game back of the division-leading West Tenn Diamond Jaxx.
Lalli began his night with a single to center in the first, moving teammate Jim Adduci to second base. Tyler Colvin would fly out though to end the frame.
In the third, Lalli would once again come to the plate with runners on base. With teammates Adduci and Tony Thomas on second and third, respectively, Lalli lined an Alberto Bastardo pitch down the right field line, scoring two and giving the Smokies a 2-0 lead.
Starter Chris Carpenter matched Lalli's output at the plate with a strong performance on the mound, but could not get his elusive first Double-A win. The Ohio native threw five innings (his longest start of the year), allowing only one run on two hits. He struck out four and walked one.
Heading into the sixth down 2-1, Chattanooga would tie the game on a Lucas May sacrifice fly off reliever Dustin Sasser. While Sasser would get the blown save, he would end up winning the game as the Smokies responded with a run in the bottom of the seventh on a somewhat freak play.
After Starlin Castro reached first on a single, Russ Canzler hit a ground ball to Lookouts SS Justin Sellers. Sellers' momentum carried him towards the bag at second, but he was late in tagging out Castro. Still looking to get at least one out, Sellers threw towards first base but the ball ended up in the Smokies dugout. As a result, Castro was awarded two bases and ended up crossing home to give the Smokies the 3-2 lead.
Alex Maestri and Brian Schlitter make sure the lead would hold up, as they silenced Chattanooga over the final 1.2 innings. Schlitter would pick up his 18th save on the year.
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Southern League Stories from August 17, 2009
- Mariners sign first round pick Dustin Ackley - Jackson Generals
- Augenstein sharp in return, BayBears roll M-Braves - Mobile BayBears
- Stars come back to beat Jaxx; snaps four-game win streak - Jackson Generals
- Smokies take opener from Lookouts, 3-2 - Tennessee Smokies
- Stars come back to stun D-Jaxx - Huntsville Stars
- Braves fall Monday night, 4-1 - Mississippi Braves
- Suns top Mudcats, 5-2 - Carolina Mudcats
- Barons continue mastery of Biscuits in opener, 3-0 - Montgomery Biscuits
- Suns take series opener from Mudcats, 5-2 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- M-Braves make player moves - Mississippi Braves
- Former Big Leaguer Augenstein Back with BayBears - Mobile BayBears
- Vasquez Joins Suns - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- ASTA Memorial Ride to Riverwalk Stadium - Montgomery Biscuits
- SL Players of the Week - SL1
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