SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Clevenger's Career Night Powers Smokies to Victory

Published on August 21, 2010 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


KODAK, Tenn. - Steve Clevenger and the Tennessee Smokies finally broke through in a big way in this week's series with the Mississippi Braves. Clevenger's 5-for-5 night, which included five RBIs, powered the Smokies to a 7-2 win over the Braves in front of 4,142 Saturday night at Smokies Park. The win keeps Tennessee (35-20, 77-47) six games up on Huntsville for first in the Southern League North second-half race with 15 games to go.

Clevenger's performance was part of a 10-for-14 effort by Tennessee's 5-6-7 hitters. Preceding Clevenger in the lineup was Russ Canzler, whose 2-for-4 night included three runs scored and his 19th home run of the year. Following Clevenger was Marwin Gonzalez, who went 3-for-5 with an RBI.

Saturday's end result was in stark contrast to the game's first few innings. For the third time in four games this week, the Smokies fell behind early as Mississippi's Eric Duncan hit a two-run home run off Smokies starter Chris Archer in the first to put the Braves ahead, 2-0.

Tennessee responded in the fourth, with Clevenger leading the way. He followed a first-inning double with his second home run of the series, a solo shot off J.J. Hoover (0-1) to make it 2-1 Braves.

Clevenger came through again in the fifth. With the bases loaded, he doubled to the wall in right-center to clear the bases and give the Smokies their first lead of the game, 4-2.

After Canzler's home run in the seventh increased the Smokies lead to 5-2, Clevenger came through with a RBI single in the eighth to put Tennessee up 6-2. Gonzalez followed with a RBI single of his own to complete the night's scoring.

Archer settled into a groove after the home run to Duncan, allowing only one hit over the next five innings to give his teammates plenty of opportunity to come back. Archer (8-1) allowed only the two runs on four hits in his six-inning start, striking out three and walking only one to get the win.

Relievers Blake Parker, Ty'Relle Harris and Luke Sommer (S, 8) held Mississippi to two hits over the final three frames to help Tennessee even the series at two games apiece.

Sunday's rubber match between the two teams will pit the Smokies' Rafael Dolis (3-3, 4.19) against the Braves' Jacob Thompson (8-8, 4.79). Tickets for the 5:00 game, which will have a post-game concert featuring Bueller as part of the "80s Night" festivities at Smokies Park, can be purchased at www.smokiesbaseball.com or by calling (865) 286-2300.

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Southern League Stories from August 21, 2010


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