Chen delivers strong seven-inning performance, offense puts up 12 hits in 8-2 win
Published on July 11, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. - Coming off their worst loss of the season last night, the Tennessee Smokies bounced back in a major way Saturday night to win their series finale with the Montgomery Biscuits, 8-2, at Smokies Park. The win ended the team's five-game losing streak and gives the Smokies (9-11, 41-49) a nice boost heading into a three-day break for the Southern League All-Star Game.
Tennessee wasted little time in jumping out to the early lead Saturday night. With two outs in the first, Ty Wright and Tyler Colvin singled to put runners on first and second for teammate Russ Canzler. Canzler drilled an Aneury Rodriguez offering to left, scoring the duo to give the Smokies a 2-0 lead.
The Smokies added runs in the second and third off Rodriguez (4-10) to extend their lead to 4-0. Tony Thomas' double in the second brought in Jonathan Mota to put the Smokies up 3-0. One inning later, Wright drove home Jim Adduci on a single to left, giving the Smokies a four-run lead.
Montgomery made a game of it in the fourth, as Chris Nowak drilled a two-run home run off Tennessee starter Hung-Wen Chen to cut the Smokies lead to 4-2.
Tennessee responded to the Biscuits semi-rally with four runs in the fifth to go up 8-2. Montgomery reliever Chris Mason walked Tyler Colvin with the bases loaded to bring in the first Smokies run of the frame. Blake Lalli singled later in the inning to bring home Adduci and Wright for two more runs. Mota capped the scoring by delivering a single to right to bring home Colvin.
The six-run lead was more than plenty for Chen (5-7), who continued his strong 2009 home campaign. The righty allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings, striking out five. His performance was a microcosm of his 3.57 home ERA heading into Saturday's game (8.82 ERA on the road).
Relievers Jake Muyco and Jayson Ruhlman tossed a scoreless inning each in the win, while Blake Lalli and Russ Canzler delivered two RBIs apiece. Mota added another RBI as part of a 3-for-4 night.
Tennessee will be off over the next three days for the Southern League All-Star Game in Birmingham, Ala. The team will then play a five-game series with the Jacksonville Suns, followed by a five-game homestand starting on July 21 against the Mississippi Braves. Tickets can be purchased at www.smokiesbaseball.com or by calling (865) 286-2300.
Southern League Stories from July 11, 2009
- BayBears Lose in 9th in West Tenn Finale - Mobile BayBears
- Jaxx back to winning ways with walk-off win over Mobile - Jackson Generals
- Biscuits Take Break After Tough One, 8-2 - Montgomery Biscuits
- Suns Split Saturday Doubleheader with Carolina - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Lookouts Thump Stars, 7-3 - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Stars Fall in Last Game Before the Break - Huntsville Stars
- Tyler Flowers, Desmond Jennings to Sign Autographs Prior to All-Star Game - Birmingham Barons
- Chen delivers strong seven-inning performance, offense puts up 12 hits in 8-2 win - Knoxville Smokies
- Jacksonville beats Carolina - Carolina Mudcats
- Jordan Danks Added to Home Run Derby - Birmingham Barons
- Carolina wins over Jacksonville - Carolina Mudcats
- Klinker Leads Carolina to Win - Carolina Mudcats
- Diamond added to All-Star roster - Mississippi Braves
- Jaxx roster moves for July 11 - Jackson Generals
- Southern League announces revised North Division starting lineup - SL1
- Meet Raymond at a Biscuits Game - Montgomery Biscuits
- Biscuits transactions for July 11 - Montgomery Biscuits
- Suns transactions for July 11 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
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