Home woes continue for Smokies
June 9, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
Sevierville, Tenn. - The Tennessee Smokies (34-29) continued their woes at home and lost the series opener to the Greenville Braves (31-30) Monday evening. Braves starter Bubba Nelson (5-5) received the win by allowing just six hits and one run in seven innings of work. The Smokies fell to 14-18 at home.
Rick Ankiel (1-4) began the game on fire, striking out the first three Braves he faced on only 13 pitches. Ankiel walked 3 and was touched for 6 runs in a season high 5 2/3 innings to pick up the loss. Bill McCarthy went 3-for-5 on the night including a double and a 2-run home run off the Smokies starter. Adam LaRoche also had three hits in five at bats for the G-Braves.
Tennessee had six hits and avoided the shutout by picking up a run on a Dan Moylan single that knocked in Kevan Burns. Papo Bolivar notched his third straight multi-hit game by going 2-for-4.
Ankiel lasted 5 2/3 innings and threw a season high 89 pitches. He threw 53 strikes and 16 of 27 first pitches went for strikes. Ankiel skipped his last start, scheduled for last Thursday, because a strained groin but showed no ill effects. The 23-year-old also turned in a multi hit game, going 2-for-2 with a pair of singles.
The Smokies will play the second game of the series tomorrow night at 7:15. Nick Stocks (4-2) is slated to pitch for Tennessee opposite Roman Colon (5-3).
Southern League Stories from June 9, 2003
- BayBears locked up by Guzman - Mobile BayBears
- Barons Win Pitchers Duel, 2-1 - Birmingham Barons
- O-Rays Drop Suns 5-1 - Orlando Rays
- Home woes continue for Smokies - Knoxville Smokies
- Now with Rays, Feliciano beats Suns - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- BayBears' Greene promoted to Portland - Mobile BayBears
- BayBears to host Orlando and John Rocker this weekend - Mobile BayBears
- BayBears fall in 14 to Suns - Mobile BayBears
- Diaz, King homer in Suns' 14-inning win - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
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