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Tennessee Smokies

Smokies' Rally Not Enough in 7-5 Loss to West Tenn Saturday

June 12, 2010 - Southern League (SL1)
Tennessee Smokies News Release


KODAK, Tenn. - A four-run sixth for the Tennessee Smokies in Saturday night's affair with the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx brought the team back from a 5-1 deficit and a Smokies Park crowd of 5,782 to their feet heading into the late innings. Tennessee's rally ran out of gas though, as West Tenn answered to defeat the Smokies 7-5 on "Pink Ribbon Survivor Night" at the ballpark and cut the Smokies lead in the Southern League North Division to a half-game.

Following a scoreless first two innings, West Tenn built a 2-0 lead with runs in the third and fourth innings. Tennessee answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth but could've had more. With two-out and runners on first and second, Steve Clevenger doubled to right-center to bring in Blake Lalli from second. Matt Spencer came around from first looking to score as well on the play, but the relay through from West Tenn 2B Dustin Ackley to C Brandon Bantz just beat Spencer's slide at the plate.

The Diamond Jaxx gave the Smokies no breathing room as Alex Liddi three-run home run over the centerfield wall off Tennessee starter Craig Muschko increased West Tenn's lead to 5-1. It was the third home run given up by Muschko in his 6.1 inning outing Saturday. In total, Muschko (2-3) would allow seven runs (five earned) on seven hits, walking two and striking out three.

Ty Wright began the Smokies' comeback in the sixth with a ground-rule double over the left-center field wall. Lalli then followed with a double of his own to bring home Wright and cut West Tenn's lead to 5-2. Following a coaching visit to the mound, West Tenn starter Michael Pineda settled down to get the next two Smokies hitters out and seemingly squash the Smokies' rally.

It was just for show though. With runners now on first and second, West Tenn LF Carlos Peguero's misplay of a Josh Vitters' RBI-single not only allowed Lalli to score from second, but Clevenger to reach third and Vitters second. The error would prove costly as Tony Thomas came through with a single of his own to plate both Clevenger and Vitters, and tie the game at five.

Peguero would atone for his mistake though, as his sacrifice fly in the seventh was the first of two runs West Tenn would score to give them the eventual win. Relievers Robert Rohrbaugh and Anthony Varvaro (S, 7) slammed the door on the Smokies late, preserving the win for Pineda (7-1).

Tennessee will look to even this weekend's series with West Tenn Sunday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. at Smokies Park. Chris Carpenter (5-2, 3.45) will start for the Smokies against Steven Hensley (6-2, 1.83) for West Tenn. Tickets can be purchased at www.smokiesbaseball.com or by calling (865) 286-2300.

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Southern League Stories from June 12, 2010


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