SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Smokies Hold on for 3-2 Win in Birmingham

Published on September 2, 2011 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


Hoover, AL - In as much of a must-win situation as there has been all season, the Smokies were able to come away with a run in the top of the ninth inning and hold one for a 3-2 victory over the Barons on Friday night at Regions Park. The win improves the Smokies' second half record to 39-28 and keeps them one game back of Chattanooga with three games left to play.

LHP Hector Santiago took the hill for the Barons and silenced the Smokies until the fourth inning, as Ty Wright led off the frame with a walk and moved to second base on a wild pitch while Rebel Ridling was at the plate. Wright moved then moved to third base on a hit to left field from Ridling, who'd advance to second base on a passed ball by the catcher, Josh Phegley. After a Vitters walk to load the bases, Steve Clevenger singled in Wright and Ridling to put Tennessee in front, 2-0. However, Birmingham cut down on the Smokies lead in the bottom frame off RHP Ryan Searle. Christian Marrero led off with a walk and would later come into score on a Phegley groundout, making it 2-1 Smokies after four innings.

In the seventh inning, RHP Hung-Wen Chen made his return to the Southern League for the Smokies and immediately gave up a lead-off single to Alden Carrithers. After walking Jake Oester, Chen was lifted for LHP Jeff Beliveau (6-1), who gave up a game-tying RHP single to Tyler Kuhn to notch the score up at 2-2.

In the top of the ninth off RHP Johnnie Lowe (7-4), Junior Lake tripled to leadoff the inning. With the infield playing in, Nate Samson blooped a single into shallow right field, to score Lake, giving the Smokies a 3-2 edge. Rafael Dolis came on and allowed the tying run to third base before inducing a lineout to Tyler Kuhn to end the game.

The Smokies and Barons will play the third game of their series on Saturday at 7:30 PM. RHP Trey McNutt (5-5, 4.35) will start for the Smokies, while Birmingham will hand the ball to LHP Charlie Leesman ( 9-7, 4.22). The Smokies return home to Smokies Park for the Southern League Disivion Series against the Chattanooga Lookouts on Thursday, September 8, at 5:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased at www.smokiesbaseball.com or by calling (865) 286-2300 .

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Southern League Stories from September 2, 2011


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