Flaherty's Game-Winner Gives Smokies 6-5 Win Sunday
Published on April 18, 2010 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Smokies capped off their opening homestand in walk-off fashion Sunday thanks to Ryan Flaherty, whose game-winning home run in the bottom of the 10th inning gave the Smokies a come-from-behind 6-5 win. The victory, in front of 3,564 fans on Little League Clinic Day at the ballpark, puts the first-place Smokies at 8-2 on the year. Chattanooga falls to 3-7.
Flaherty, who entered Sunday's game hitting well under .200, blasted a Matthew Sartor (0-1) offering to deep right after teammate Jake Opitz was hit by a pitch to start the 10th. The Vanderbilt star and former first round pick by the Cubs rescued relievers Alex Maestri and Dustin Sasser (1-1), who failed to preserve a 4-2 Smokies lead heading into the ninth.
Tennessee starter Craig Muschko did his part to send the Smokies off with a series ending win Sunday. He continued the trend of solid starting pitching for the Smokies, allowing two runs over six frames. In 10 starts this season, Smokies starters have posted a combined 3.73 ERA.
Tony Campana had another solid day at the plate, raising his average to .385 with three hits on the afternoon. Robinson Chirinos, now hitting .379 on the season, extended his hit streak to seven games with a broken bat single in the second inning. Starlin Castro collected his league-leading third triple in the seventh inning on a bang-bang play at third base.
Tennessee travels to Carolina on Monday to begin a five-game set with the Mudcats. The team will return home this Saturday to square off against the Birmingham Barons. Tickets for the series, which will include a Smokies poster schedule giveaway on the 24th, and day games on the 27th and 28th, can be purchased online at www.smokiesbaseball.com or by calling (865) 286-2300.
Southern League Stories from April 18, 2010
- Flaherty's Game-Winner Gives Smokies 6-5 Win Sunday - Knoxville Smokies
- Errors Prove Costly in Jaxx Loss to Braves - Jackson Generals
- Braves Triumph Against Diamond Jaxx, 11-2 - Mississippi Braves
- Biscuits Blow Lead in 9th - Montgomery Biscuits
- RHP Chris Sorce activated to roster from extended spring - Jackson Generals
- Carolina beats Montogomery 8-7 - Carolina Mudcats
- Huntsville Stars Hold Off Suns on Sunday - Huntsville Stars
- Cincinnati Reds Make Roster Changes - Carolina Mudcats
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