BayBears Smash Smokies, Cling to Playoff Hopes
Published on June 17, 2010 under Southern League (SL1)
Mobile BayBears News Release
MOBILE, Ala. - Tom Layne earned his team-leading seventh victory of the season as he rode the waves of four home runs in a BayBears' 12-6 victory over the Tennessee Smokies on Thursday night at Hank Aaron Stadium.
Layne (7-4) coughed up three runs in the top of the first as Marwin Gonzalez singled and came home on a two-bagger by Robinson Chirinos. Ty Wright also singled, and he came on a wild pitch to make it 2-0. As Konrad Schmidt tried to throw Wright out at home, the ball slipped away from Layne, allowing Chirinos to sprint to the dish.
Tennessee's (40-26) wouldn't be with them long as Austin Bibens-Dirkx (5-3) handed the BayBears (35-30) a five-spot in the bottom of the first. Evan Frey reached on a single and scored on a wild pitch. Collin Cowgill smashed a double while Kory Casto walked to set up a three-run jack to right-center by Schmidt, putting the BayBears up by a run. Layne helped himself later in the frame by singling home Bryan Byrne.
In the second, both teams traded blows again as the Smokies picked up a run after a lead-off walk to Bibens-Dirkx. Russ Canzler knocked him home with a sac fly to right, pulling Tennessee within one.
Cowgill crushed another double to set up a light rally in the home half of the second. He scored on a two-run tater by Kory Casto to put the BayBears up 7-4.
Neither club would score again until the fifth when Taylor Harbin came to the dish on a single by Frey. The BayBears pulled away even further in the seventh inning as Cowgill smacked a two-run homer after an RBI double by Ollie Linton.
Tennessee picked up a tally in each of the last two innings against Jeff Dietz (S, 1), who worked the final three frames. Cyle Hankerd added a solo shot in the bottom of the eighth.
The BayBears now sit three games behind first-place Montgomery with three contests remaining in the first half. Tennessee's magic number to claim the North Division is two.
The BayBears battle the Smokies in game three of their five-game set on Friday night at 7:05 with fireworks blasting off after the ballgame.
Southern League Stories from June 17, 2010
- Barons Comeback Comes Up Short; Lose 6-5 - Birmingham Barons
- Mudcats Take a Beating from Braves, 17-8 - Carolina Mudcats
- Lookouts Throttle Diamond Jaxx Thursday - Jackson Generals
- Suns Alive in Division Race with Thursday Win - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- BayBears Smash Smokies, Cling to Playoff Hopes - Mobile BayBears
- BayBears Smash Smokies, 12-6 - Knoxville Smokies
- Steven Richard Joins D-Jaxx Bullpen - Jackson Generals
- Dale Murphy To Appear At Smokies Park Next Thursday - Knoxville Smokies
- Cincinnati Reds Make Roster Moves - Carolina Mudcats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
