BayBears topple Smokies 9-3
August 31, 2006 - Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. - Mobile's Mike Ekstrom picked up his third-straight win on the mound for the BayBears and also drove in three runs to power his team to a 9-3 win over the Tennessee Smokies Thursday night at Smokies Park in front of more than 2,000 fans.
Mobile's starter came to the plate in the second inning with the bases loaded and sparked a rally to take a 4-0 lead. Ekstrom stroked a double down the line in left field that allowed all three men on base to score on a hit-and-run play. The BayBears added to their three-run lead when Jeremy Cleveland powered a double to right field to score Ekstrom.
Ekstrom put an 0-7 start with Mobile (35-31) solidly behind him by notching a third win in as many starts. His eight strong innings were enough to keep the Smokies (35-31) at bay, allowing just three runs on eight hits. Ekstrom (3-7) struck out five and only issued one walk.
The Smokies, on the other hand, only received three innings from starter Bill Murphy. The lefthander allowed six runs, including four in the second inning, on seven hits. He allowed a home run against Stephen Smitherman in the third inning. The two-run blast gave Mobile a four-run lead at 6-2.
Colt Morton launched a two-run homer in the sixth inning for Mobile and the BayBears added one more run in the seventh inning to win by six.
Tennessee and Mobile meet again Friday at 7:15 p.m. A.J. Shappi will start for the Smokies opposite Jack Cassel of Mobile. Fireworks will immediately follow the game.
Tickets are available by calling the Tennessee Smokies' box office at 286-2300 or by logging on to www.smokiesbaseball.com, powered by Comcast.
Southern League Stories from August 31, 2006
- Chattanooga defeats Jaxx 3-1 - Jackson Generals
- Stars cap remarkable month of August with shutout win - Huntsville Stars
- BayBears topple Smokies 9-3 - Knoxville Smokies
- BayBears win sixth in a row, 9-3 - Mobile BayBears
- Braves take game one from Biscuits, 4-2 - Mississippi Braves
- Biscuits' Andy Sonnanstine named to S.L. Postseason All-Star Team - Montgomery Biscuits
- Ernesto postpones series opener at Carolina - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Carolina-Jacksonville Postponed - Carolina Mudcats
- 2006 BayBears player awards announced - Mobile BayBears
- Barone joins Mudcats, Brauer sent down - Carolina Mudcats
- Devine heads to the bigs - Mississippi Braves
- Four Tennessee Smokies named to Postseason All-Star squad - Knoxville Smokies
- Southern League honors Shoemaker, Lundberg - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Joey Votto named Southern League Most Valuable Player - SL1
- Spike Lundberg named Southern League Most Outstanding Pitcher - SL1
- John Shoemaker named Southern League Manager of the Year - SL1
- Southern League announces Postseason All-Star Team - SL1
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