SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Errors prove costly in Smokies loss Monday

Published on April 27, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. - A last-ditch effort by the Tennessee Smokies in Monday night's match-up with Carolina could not offset two late errors, as the Smokies lost to the Mudcats, 6-4, at Smokies Park in front of 2,185 fans. The loss puts the Smokies at 9-8 on the year, half-a-game back of the Huntsville Stars in the Southern League North Division.

Heading into the ninth tied at four, Mudcats' OF Michael Griffin hit a leadoff double off of Smokies reliever Brian Schlitter (0-1). Teammate Chris Heisey followed with a sacrifice bunt to 3B Jonathan Mota. Mota's throw to first was low and skipped past 1B Blake Lalli. RF Jim Adduci attempted to throw out Heisey at third on the play, but his throw was off as well. Griffin scored easily on the play, with Heisey then crossing home on a Logan Parker single.

The Smokies would load the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth, buoyed by a Steve Clevenger single sandwiched between two walks. However, former UT product Sean Watson (S, 1) struck out Brandon Guyer and got Tony Thomas to fly out to center to end the game.

Tennessee started off strong Monday night, as starter Hung-Wen Chen allowed only two hits through the first three frames. The early effort was complemented by a Clevenger (2-4, two RBIs) double to left-center in the second, scoring Richie Robnett from second base to give the Smokies a 1-0 lead.

After Carolina responded with two in the fourth, the Smokies added a second run to tie the game at two. Clevenger's second RBI of the game, a towering shot to deep center just beyond the outstretched glove of Mudcats CF Chris Heisey, brought home Ty Wright.

Following another two runs by the Mudcats in the top of the fifth, the Smokies put up two of their own in the bottom of the inning. Consecutive doubles by Tony Thomas and Matt Camp put runners on second and third. Thomas scored on a Jim Adduci groundout to cut Carolina's lead to 4-3. Camp would come home on Wright's single, tying the game at four.

Chen did not factor in Monday's decision. In five innings of work he gave up four earned runs on eight hits, striking out two. Relievers Alex Maestri and John Gaub combined to hold the Mudcats scoreless over the next three innings, allowing only four hits and striking out two.

The Smokies and Mudcats resume their five-game series Tuesday with an 11:30 a.m. game at Smokies Park. James Avery (0-1, 3.27) takes the hill for Carolina, with Casey Coleman (2-0, 0.75) will pitch for Tennessee. Tickets can be purchased at www.smokiesbaseball.com or by calling (865) 286-2300.

ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES The Tennessee Smokies are the minor league Class AA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the 10-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America's national pastime in the East Tennessee region for almost 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com - powered by Comcast.

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Southern League Stories from April 27, 2009


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