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 Tennessee Smokies

Wahoos Reel in Smokies, Sweep Friday Twinbill

August 12, 2016 - Southern League (SL1)
Tennessee Smokies News Release


PENSACOLA, Fla. - It was a night of heartbreak for Tennessee, as Pensacola rallied to take game one on a walk-off, two-run single by RF Sebastian Elizalde in the bottom of the ninth. In the nightcap RHP Jackson Stephens tossed his first career complete game, as the Blue Wahoos cruised past the Smokies, 8-0, to sweep the doubleheader on Friday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

With the losses, Tennessee drops to 19-27 in the second half and 47-69 on the season. Pensacola's victories improved their second half mark to 23-24 and 64-53 in total.

After yesterday's suspension, game one was restarted in the bottom of the second with Pensacola leading, 1-0, thanks to RHP Tyler Mahle's (1-1, RBI) run-scoring single to right on Thursday night.

Tennessee wasted no time in tying the game, as LF Kelly Dugan (2-4, R, HR, RBI) blasted a solo home run over the wall in straightaway center field to leadoff the top of the third. The homer - the 25-year-old's ninth of the season - evened the game at one.

Pensacola would regain the lead in the bottom of fourth thanks to their pitcher. LF Philip Ervin (1-3, R, BB, SO) started the frame with a walk and moved to third on a double to left by SS Zach Vincej (2-4, R, 2B, SO). With one out, RHP Barrett Astin (1-1, RBI) stroked a single to left past a drawn-in infield. Ervin came home to score to give the Wahoos a 2-1 lead.

The Smokies managed to take the lead in the top of the sixth. With one away, 2B Ian Happ (0-2, R, 2 BB, 2 SO) was hit by an Astin pitch and 1B Victor Caratini (1-5, R, HR, 2 RBI) followed by rifiling a ball to deep right. The leather sailed over the fence for a two-run homer - the 22-year-old's sixth of the campaign - to put Tennessee up, 3-2.

The score remained the same until the bottom of the ninth. RHP David Garner (0.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB) retired the leadoff batter before CF Brandon Dixon (1-4, R, BB, 2 SO) lined a single to left. Following a wild pitch that moved the runner to second, 2B Alex Blandino (1-4, R, BB) drew a free pass and 3B Taylor Sparks (1-3, BB, 2 SO) reached on an infield single to load the bases.

Elizalde (2-5, 2 RBI) would then become the hero. The left-handed swinger poked a base-hit inbetween the first and second baseman and into right field. Dixon and Blandino would race around the bases to score the game-tying and winning runs to give Pensacola a 4-3 triumph.

RHP Kyle McMyne (2.0 IP, 3 H, BB, SO) escaped a few jams over two scoreless innings, as he picked up his fourth win of the year. Garner (0.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB) suffered his fourth blown save and sixth defeat of the season.

In the nightcap, Pensacola jumped out to an early advantage by scoring three runs in each of the first two innings.

With one out in the opening frame, 3B Alex Blandino (3-4, R, 2B, SO) stroked a single to left and LF Phillip Ervin (0-2, R, BB, SO) was hit-by-a-pitch. After a ground out advanced the runners to second and third, SS Zach Vincej (1-3, 2 R, 2B) hit a fly ball to right that was dropped. Both runners scored, while the 25-year-old raced all the way home on a throwing error to give the Blue Wahoos a 3-0 advantage.

The lead would stretch to six in the second. 2B Ronald Bueno (1-2, R, RBI) started the attack with a hit to right, setting the stage for C Kyle Skipworth (1-3, R, HR, 3 RBI). The former first-round-pick slashed a deep fly to left that carried over the wall for a two-run homer. The clout - Skipworth's fourth of the year - put the Wahoos ahead, 5-0.

Pensacola's attack did not stop there. With one away, CF Jeff Gelalich (1-4, R, SO) restarted the rally with a single to center and scooted to second on a base-knock by Blandino. Following a strike out, RF Sebastian Elizalde (2-4, R, RBI, SO) roped a liner into center for another hit. Gelalich raced home from second to make it a 6-0 Blue Wahoos lead.

Two more runs were scratched across in the fifth courtesy of a sacrifice fly from Bueno and a RBI ground out from Skipworth.

RHP Jackson Stephens (7.0 IP, 5 H, 10 SO) punched out a season-high 10 Smokies over seven innings for Pensacola en route to his eighth win of the season. The complete game was the first of the 22-year-old's career.

Tennessee RHP Jen-Ho Tseng (4.1 IP, 10 H, 8 R, 5 ER, BB, 3 SO) issued a season-high eight runs (five earned) on a year-worst 10 hits over 4.1 innings to suffer his second straight loss and sixth of the year.

The Smokies will look to get back in the win column on Saturday night, as RHP Michael Wagner (2-0, 3.33 ERA) is anticpated to get the start in for the Smokies. RHP Sal Romano (4-11, 3.92 ERA) is projected to grab the ball for Pensacola.

The Pilot Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 7:15 p.m. ET, leading up to the 7:30 p.m. ET start from Blue Wahoos Stadium. Saturday evening's contests can be heard on Sports Radio WNML 99.1 FM and 990 AM, as well as on SmokiesBaseball.com or via the TuneIn Radio or MiLB First Pitch apps.

Following the five-game road trip, the Smokies will return home to take on the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, on Wednesday, August 17. That night's affair will be a Smoky Mountain Popcorn All-You-Can-Eat Wednesday. For less than $25 dollars a person, fans can enjoy all-you-can-eat hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, baked beans, potato chips, ice cream sandwiches and Pepsi products. That night's matchup is schedule to get underway at 7:05 p.m.

The Tennessee Smokies Charity of Choice for the 2016 season is Alzheimer's Tennessee. Alzheimer's Tennessee's mission is to serve those facing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, to promote brain health through education, and to champion global prevention and treatment efforts. For more information on how to join the Tennessee Smokies in helping Alzheimer's Tennessee achieve their mission, please visit http://www.alztennessee.org/smokies/.

Single-game tickets, as well as multi-voucher and season ticket packages 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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