SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Smokies Unable to Hold Lead in 6-4 Loss to Stars Monday

Published on June 7, 2010 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


KODAK, Tenn. - Leading for much of Monday night's contest with the Huntsville Stars, the Tennessee Smokies were unable to hold a two-run lead late and fell 6-4 to the Stars in front of 3,143 at Smokies Park. The loss puts the Smokies at 34-23 on the year, only a half-game ahead of charging West Tenn, who won their ninth game in a row later in the night.

Tennessee started off strong Monday night as Tony Campana and Marwin Gonzalez led off the first with consecutive singles off Huntsville starter Mark Rogers. Following a double steal, Campana would score on Blake Lalli's groundout to the shortstop to put the Smokies up 1-0. Gonzalez, now on third, would score himself on a groundout by Robinson Chirinos to increase the Smokies' lead to 2-0.

Starter Craig Muschko delivered one of his best outings of the year for Tennessee. Although he allowed a run in the third following his escape of a bases-loaded jam in the second, Muschko dominated Huntsville to the tune of one run allowed on two hits in six innings. He struck out eight.

After a run by the Smokies in the third, followed by one by Huntsville in the sixth, Tony Thomas blasted a solo home run off former Smokies pitcher Jim Henderson to left to put the Smokies lead back at two at 4-2 in the seventh.

Tennessee reliever Jake Muyco was unable to follow up his scoreless seventh with the same result in the eighth. With one out in the frame, Muyco would allow four consecutive hits that brought in two runs to tie the game at four. Luke Sommer would replace Muyco (1-2) and finish off the frame, but not until a Marwin Gonzalez misplay of a grounder allowed two more Huntsville runs to put the Stars up 6-4.

The Smokies were unable to muster much of a rally, as Huntsville held Tennessee hitless over the final two frames. Donovan Hand (S, 1) picked up the save and Henderson (2-0) got the win.

Ty Wright and Blake Lalli continued their hot hitting for the Smokies, extending their hit streaks to 10 and eight games respectively. Chirinos had two RBIs on the night and Tony Campana's 2-for-3 night raised his team-leading average up to .353. The two teams will square off in Game 4 Tuesday night at 7:15 at Smokies Park. Chris Carpenter (4-2, 3.98) gets the start for the Smokies while the Stars will send Amaury Rivas (5-3, 2.64) the mound. Tickets can be purchased online at www.smokiesbaseball.com or by calling (865) 286-2300.

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Southern League Stories from June 7, 2010


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