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SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Ankiel Blanks Braves with 12K's

June 25, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


Greenville, SC- Rick Ankiel shutout the Greenville Braves on two hits over seven innings and struck out a season high 12 batters as Tennessee (7-1, 42-36) swept the Braves with a 2-0 win Wednesday night at Municipal Stadium.

The win was the Smokies fifth straight and the shutout was the third of the series. Tennessee outscored Greenville (1-7, 37-39) 20-3 over the four game set.

The Smokies got all the offense they would need in the second inning against Matt Belisle (4-7). Papo Bolivar led off with a triple and Corey Erickson followed with his eleventh home run of the season to give Tennessee a 2-0.

Ankiel breezed through the first inning but had to work out of trouble numerous times to snap a personal five game losing streak. The Braves put two on to start the second, but Ankiel retired the next three. With the bases loaded in the third he got Bill McCarty to hit into an inning ending double play.

B.R. Cook worked a scoreless 8th inning and Mike Lyons earned his 20th save, but first of the second half, by striking out two in the ninth.

Ankiel's 12 strikeouts were the most for the left-hander since he fanned 15 Kingsport Mets on July 6, 2001 for Johnson City of the Appalachian League. He struck out the side in the first inning and fanned four of the last five and six of the last nine batters he faced. He held the Braves hitless over the last 17 batters faced.

Tennessee returns to action Friday night at home against the Braves. Game time is 7:15 with Nick Stocks (4-4, 4.68) starting for the Smokies opposite Bubba Nelson (6-6, 3.17).

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