Jennings, Biscuits Batter Smokies in Opener Wednesday, 6-3
Published on July 8, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Smokies bullpen failed to hold a late lead in Wednesday night's series opener against the Montgomery Biscuits resulting in a 6-3 loss in front of 3,097 at Smokies Park. The loss marked the team's third in a row since the suspension of manager Ryne Sandberg Monday evening and put the Smokies at 8-9 in the season's second half, 40-47 overall.
Montgomery jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third. Top Montgomery prospect Desmond Jennings hit a triple to center off Smokies starter Marcos Mateo. He would then score on a pass ball with teammate Chris Nowak at the plate to put the game's first run on the board.
The Smokies tied the game in the fourth on a tremendous hustle play by Jim Adduci. After he doubled off Montgomery starter Jeremy Hellickson with two outs in the frame, Tony Thomas then hit a grounder to second that Biscuits 2B Drew Anderson could not field. Adduci raced around third on the play to beat the throw to the plate and tie the game at one.
Marquez Smith answered a Biscuits run in the fifth with his seventh home run of the year. The two-run shot gave the Smokies the lead once again at 3-2. The home run would put Mateo back in the running for a win, as he allowed only two runs on six hits in five innings. He also walked two and struck out six in the 89-pitch effort, but would not factor in the decision.
Reliever Jeremy Papelbon, who was back in Tennessee after a two-day stint with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, relieved Mateo to start the sixth and was very effective in three innings of relief. He allowed one run on three hits in three innings of work, striking out three.
Heading into the ninth tied at three, Montgomery pounced on the usually dominant Marco Carrillo (1-1), scoring three in the ninth to regain the lead. Jennings again led the way by drilling 1-2 Carrillo offering over the left-field wall, putting the Smokies back up 4-3. Two more Biscuits crossed home via a walk and hit batter to give Montgomery a 6-3 lead and the eventual win.
The Smokies and Biscuits square off in Game 2 of their four-game series Thursday night at Smokies Park. Montgomery's Brandon Mann (4-5, 4.91) will face off against Tennessee's Andrew Cashner (0-0, 1.80), who will be making his Smokies Park debut. Tickets for the game can be purchased at www.smokiesbaseball.com, by calling (865) 286-2300 or at the stadium ticket office.
Southern League Stories from July 8, 2009
- Papelbon Returns To Smokies From Triple-A Iowa - Knoxville Smokies
- Jennings, Biscuits Batter Smokies in Opener Wednesday, 6-3 - Knoxville Smokies
- Jaxx Hold off BayBears in Series Opener - Mobile BayBears
- Jaxx Win Streak Reaches Seven with 3-2 Win Over Mobile - Jackson Generals
- Losing Streak Ends with Ninth Inning Rally, 6-3 - Montgomery Biscuits
- May Powers Looks Past Stars - Huntsville Stars
- Lookouts Endure Stars - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Jordan Danks Named to Southern League All-Star Team - Birmingham Barons
- Barons Announce Celebrity Softball Game Information - Birmingham Barons
- Mahon Promoted, Septimo to BayBears - Mobile BayBears
- C Yamid Haad traded to Portland - Jackson Generals
- Home Run Derby Participants Announced - Birmingham Barons
- David Cook Promoted to Charlotte - Birmingham Barons
- One Time Only - AL Championship Trophy - Montgomery Biscuits
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