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Tennessee Smokies

Smokies Hold off Suns 4-3 for Fifth Straight Victory

August 30, 2015 - Southern League (SL1)
Tennessee Smokies News Release


SEVIERVILLE - Smokies third baseman Jeimer Candelario's go-ahead longball in the sixth proved to be the difference as starter Felix Pena tossed seven solid innings and shortstop Ryan Dent recorded three more hits as Tennessee notched their fifth straight triumph with a 4-3 win over the Jacksonville Suns on Sunday evening at Smokies Stadium.

The Smokies raised their second half record to three games above .500 at 33-30, while also boosting their overall mark to 72-60. Jacksonville, meanwhile, fell to 24-38 since the league's All-Star break, along with a 53-78 overall tally throughout the 2015 campaign. Tennessee's win also kept the club's slim playoff hopes alive, having enter tonight seven games back with eight contests remaining in the regular season.

During the contest, Smokies players and coaches wore special Smoky Mountain Service Dogs jerseys that were auctioned and raffled off during the contest to benefit the Smoky Mountain Service Dogs organization. During an on-field check presentation, it was announced the club had raised $10,080 dollars through the auction and raffle for Smoky Mountain Service Dogs.

Following a four-for-four effort last night, Dent (3-4) led all Smokies batters with three more base knocks, which led both sides. Over his last two contests, the infielder has tallied seven hits in eight at bats, along with two runs, two homers and four RBI to raised his batting average 24 points in that short span.

Pena (7.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO) was also outstanding for the second consecutive time out, earning his sixth victory of the season after yielding three runs, two of which were earned, on four hits in seven innings of work, adding two walks and six strikeouts. Thanks to his solid outing, the right-hander now ranks second in the Southern League with 135 strikeouts this season, behind only Montgomery starter Jaime Schultz (161).

Jacksonville got started first, thanks to a two-run second inning. 1B Viosergy Rosa led off with a walk before scampering all the way home from first when 3B Terrence Dayleg smashed a double to the left field wall, giving the Suns an early 1-0 advantage. Dayleg would eventually come plateward via LF Ryan Rieger's sacrifice fly to center, doubling the margin to two.

The Smokies countered back immediately, however, with a three-spot in the last of the second. After 1B Dan Vogelbach and Candelario began the inning with back-to-back singles, both would advance one base each on 2B Stephen Bruno's single before scoring on an error by Rieger in left field, drawing the contest even at two runs apiece. With Bruno getting all the way to third on the play, RF Anthony Giansanti then sent Bruno across by bouncing an RBI groundout to short, pushing Tennessee up 3-2.

The Suns subsequently evened the match at 3-3, however, in the very next inning. CF Kenny Wilson slapped a one-out single to left, stole second and then moved on to third on a Smokies error, prior to being brought home via SS Elliot Soto's sacrifice fly to left.

Following two quiet frames, Tennessee would pounce in the sixth, snagging back the advantage thanks to the longball. With two outs in the frame, Candelario crushed a solo blast into the Calhoun's At The Yard deck in left field, his fourth big fly of the season with the Smokies, to push the Smokies back ahead at 4-3.

Candelario (2-2, 2 R, HR, RBI, 2 BB) and 2B Stephen Bruno (2-4, R) also recorded two hits each for the Smokies, while CF Albert Almora Jr. extended his hit streak to 11 games with a single in the fifth inning. During his streak, which dates back to August 21, the 21-year-old has posted a .357 (16-46) along with five runs, two doubles, one homer and seven RBI. Almora Jr. has also tallied at least one base knock in all but three of his 30 games played in the month of August.

Chicago Cubs reliever Neil Ramirez (1.0 IP, H, BB) notched his second hold with the Smokies as part of his Major League Rehab Assignment after officially joining the club earler in the day. Fellow relief man Starling Peralta (1.0 IP, 2 BB) received his fifth save of the season with a scoreless ninth, while Suns starter Jarlin Garcia (6.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) suffered the defeat to fall to 0-3.

The Smokies and Suns are scheduled to continue their five-game series in the final homestand of the year on Monday evening, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Tennessee is slated to send RHP Ryan Williams (9-2, 3.00) to the hill, while Jacksonville is expected to give the ball to LHP Matt Tomshaw (5-9, 4.31).

It's the last McGhee Tyson Airport Dollar Monday of the 2015 campaign, with great value available to all fans. As part of the festivities, hot dogs, popcorn, sodas and programs will be available for only one dollar each. The Smokies will then conclude their 2015 home slate with Fan Appreciation Night on Tuesday evening, with the first 2,000 fans through the gates receiving a hot dog, bag of chips and drink, while all fans will go home with a special surprise thanks to the Smokies and their partners.

Tickets for all remaining 2015 home contests at Smokies Stadium are still available and can be purchased online at smokiesbaseball.com, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300.

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