SL1 Knoxville Smokies

BayBears Get the Best of Smokies in Tight Contest

Published on April 8, 2016 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


SEVIERVILLE - After a 7-3 Smokies victory over the BayBears to open up the 2016 campaign, Mobile evened up the five-game series with a 2-1 win over the Smokies Friday evening. The Smokies could not get the bats working early on in the contest before ultimately being out hit 9-4

Just as they did in Thursday night's game, Mobile got on the board in the first inning. 1B Kevin Cron (2-4, RBI) singled up the middle to drive home RF Todd Glaesmann (1-4, SO) from third base. C Taylor Davis (1-3, RBI) ended the inning for the Smokies by picking off Cron at first base.

RHP Yoan Lopez (6.0 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 SO) got off to a blistering start for the BayBears as he retired the first 12 batters of the game. Lopez ranks sixth among Arizona Diamondback's prospects according to Baseball America.The Smokies ended his no-hitter in the bottom of the fifth when RF Billy McKinney (2-4) sent a screamer down the right field line for a double. 1B Victor Caratini (0-4, SO) advanced McKinney on a ground out before Taylor Davis stepped to the dish and delivered a single up the middle to tie the game at 1-1.

RHP Paul Blackburn (5.0 IP, 5 H, ER, SO) made his Southern League debut on Friday night. The 19th ranked prospect in the Cubs' system gave up one run in the first inning but settled into the ballgame nicely. After giving up three hits in the opening frame, Blackburn surrendered just two more hits in his next four innings of action. In the top of the second inning the 22-year-old picked off C Ronnie Freeman (1-4, 2 SO) at second base.

The Smokies handed the ball over to RHP Michael Jensen (2.0 IP, 2 H, SO, BB) in the top of the sixth. The 25-year-old threw a confident two innings of work including a double play ball off the bat of RF Gabriel Guerrero (1-4) to close out the sixth frame. RHP Corey Black (1.0 IP, 2 H, ER, SO, BB) took over for Tennessee in the eighth where the BayBears regained their lead courtesy of a single from LF Mitch Haniger (3-4, RBI) that drove home 3B Ildemaro Vargas(0-3, BB). Black was handed the loss for the evening.

Mobile turned to their bullpen in the seventh inning with LHP Daniel Gibson (1.0 IP, 1 SO) taking over for the BayBears and ultimately picking up the win. The former Florida Gator retired the side in his one inning of work. The BayBears then gave the mound to LHP Keith Hessler (1.0 IP, H, BB) who gave up a double to LF Bijan Rademacher (1-3) but also pitched out of the inning forcing a double play. Hessler was awarded a hold for his efforts in the Mobile win.

The BayBears then looked to RHP Adam Miller (1.0 IP, H, 2 BB, 2 SO) to pick up the save. The Smokies made it tough on the California native. Miller walked 2B Chesny Young (0-3, BB) after striking out CF Jacob Hannemann (0-4, SO). He then got help from Ronnie Freeman (1-4, 2 SO) who threw out Young who was attempting to steal second. 3B Jeimer Candelario (0-3, BB, SO) drew a walk that was then followed by a Billy McKinney single. With the game tying run on second and game winning run on first, the Smokies ran out of steam as Victor Caratini struck out swinging.

Saturday the Smokies continue their season opening homestand against the BayBears with the opening pitch set for 7:05 p.m. ET. RHP Brad Markey is set to take the mound for the Smokies as RHP Matt Koch is set to take the ball for the BayBears.

The Pilot Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 6:50 p.m. ET. Saturday evening's broadcast can be heard exclusively on Sports Radio 99.1 FM and 990 AM, as well as SmokiesBaseball.com or via the TuneIn Radio app.

The Smokies will also be hosting their Outdoor Expo where game attendees will be able to check out a spectacular boat display from Premier Watersports, as well as enjoy booths from other local outdoor enthused companies.

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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Southern League Stories from April 8, 2016


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