SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Late Innings Unkind To Smokies In 6-5 Loss Wednesday

Published on April 28, 2010 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. - The late innings proved to again be unkind to the Tennessee Smokies as a four-run eighth by the Birmingham Barons led to the Smokies downfall in a 6-5 loss Wednesday afternoon at Smokies Park. The loss, in front of 6,528 kids on Safe Kids Health Awareness Day, dropped the Smokies to 15-5 on the year. Birmingham took this week's series and improved to 5-14.

Blake Lalli put the Smokies up early with an RBI single in the first inning off Barons' starter Justin Cassel. The Smokies' first basemen added another RBI single in the fifth. The lefty reached base three times on the afternoon.

Clinging to a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning, Tennessee starter Austin Bibens-Dirkx and reliever Scott Maine failed to hold the lead, allowing four Barons to cross home in the frame. The outcome wasted a solid effort by Bibens-Dirks, who had stifled Birmingham for the first seven innings. He retired the first 11 batters he faced before allowing a fourth inning walk, striking out eight in total.

Down 5-3 in the eighth, Tennessee responded with two runs on the heels of a Russ Canzler RBI single, his second on the afternoon. The Smokies were unable to grab the lead though as Starlin Castro grounded out with the bases loaded to end the threat.

Alex Maestri (2-1) took the loss for the Smokies after giving up a tie-breaking sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth to the Barons' Justin Fuller. The Smokies were unable to again respond and went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth against Barons' reliever Henry Mabee (1-1).

The Smokies travel to Chattanooga and start a five-game series with the Lookouts Thursday at 7:15 p.m. Tennessee returns home next Wednesday, May 5 for a five-game series against the Mobile BayBears. Tickets can be purchased at www.smokiesbaseball.com or by calling (865) 286-2300.

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Southern League Stories from April 28, 2010


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