BayBears Rally Late to Stop Smokies
June 11, 2009 - Southern League (SL1)
Mobile BayBears News Release
MOBILE, Ala. - With the Tennessee Smokies riding a five-game win streak to Hank Aaron Stadium on Thursday night, the BayBears seemingly had their work cut out for them, but after falling behind early, they battled back to score a 4-1 victory.
Matt Torra (4-6) scattered nine hits over seven innings, but the Smokies (26-35) could only manage one unearned run against him. That tally came in the first following a lead-off double by Tony Thomas. James Adduci bunted to the third base side with Torra's throw to first high and past Sean Coughlin, allowing Thomas to score.
Despite numerous opportunities, Tennessee wouldn't add anymore against Torra, who lowered his ERA below 4.00 for the first time since his first start. The BayBears (34-27) received a gift in the bottom of the fourth to tie the contest as Chris Rahl punched out a single to right-center and advanced to third after a wild pitch and a throwing error by Welington Castillo. The next batter, Cyle Hankerd, lifted a lazy fly ball to left which Ty Wright never saw as it dropped in for a game-tying double.
It stayed 1-1 until the seventh when Marcos Mateo (1-4) began to get smacked around. Successive singles by Hankerd, Coughlin and Ricardo Sosa brought home Hankerd to put the BayBears on top 2-1. Coughlin came home on a base knock by Mark Hallberg, putting the BayBears up by a pair.
Sosa made it a three-run game in the eighth with another rocket that allowed Rahl to score, giving plenty of cushion for Reid Mahon (S, 1) who was dominant in two perfect frames including the ninth where he struck out the side in order.
The BayBears battle the Smokies, managed by Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, in game two of their series on Friday with Wes Roemer (2-3, 4.05) getting the start at 7:05 p.m. For Hank Aaron Stadium tickets, call (251) 479-BEAR or log on to www.mobilebaybears.com.
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