SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Carolina Wins on Walk Off Home Run

Published on May 29, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


Zebulon, NC - Chris Aguila led off the bottom of the 9th inning with a solo home run off Tennessee closer Mike Lyons (1-2) as Carolina topped Tennessee 6-5 Thursday night at Five County Stadium. With the win Carolina upped its Eastern Division lead to four games over Tennessee.

The Smokies chipped away at a 5-0 deficit to tie the game in the eighth. Former Smoky Franklyn Gracesqui allowed two runs on three hits in the eighth to allow Tennessee (29-24) to tie the game. Scott Krause singled with one out and advanced on a Corey Erickson single. Both runners moved up on a balk, and Krause scored on Yadier Molina's groundout. John Nelson singled home Erickson with the tying run, completing a five run comeback.

The Smokies began their comeback in the fifth when Nelson singled home Corey Erickson and scored on a Skip Schumaker double. The Smokies added another run in the sixth on a Nelson single, but left the bases loaded in the inning. Nelson finished the night 3-for-3 with 3 RBI and Corey Erickson snapped out of an 0-17 slump with three hits and two runs scored. Sean Fesh (7-0) pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn the win.

Carolina (32-19) used a five run fourth inning to take a commanding lead. Jeremy Cummings, riding a no-hitter through three innings, allowed three consecutive singles to start the fourth. Chip Ambres launched a three-run home run to cap the scoring in the fifth.

Prior to the game Kansas City claimed Smokies reliever Les Walrond off waivers and assigned him to Triple A Omaha. Walrond was taken off the Cardinals 40-man roster Tuesday afternoon to open a spot for Esteban Yan, acquired from the Rangers.

The final game of the four game series is Friday night at 7:15. Rick Ankiel (1-3, 9.43) is slated to make his fifth start of the season for the Smokies. Donnie Bridges (3-1, 3.31) will start for Carolina.

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Southern League Stories from May 29, 2003


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