SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Late runs doom Smokies 7-2

Published on April 26, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


Sevierville, TN - A late inning rally by the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx sunk the Tennessee Smokies tonight by the score of 7-2 in front of 3,828 stunned fans. The Diamond Jaxx scored all seven of their runs in the final two innings of the game, ruining a great pitching outing by starter Donnie Veal. The loss dropped the Smokies to 9-14 after an 8-4 start on the season.

Veal was sharp through 5 2/3 innings of work, mowing down two Diamond Jaxx hitters while scattering just three hits. Veal ended up with 99 pitches on the night while walking just three. He seemingly had his control back and command on the mound. The Smokies offense also staked Veal to a 2-0 lead after three innings, thanks in part to an RBI single by Robinson Chirinos in the bottom of the 2nd inning. The Smokies scored again in the bottom of the third off a throwing error by Diamond Jaxx third baseman Ronnie Prettyman to score Issmael Salas.

The Smokies were cruising along through seven innings with effective pitching and solid defense, with a losing streak win in sight. West Tennessee's bats came alive in the top of the eighth off of relievers Chris Shaver and Jesse Estrada (2-3). Shaver allowed the first two batters to reach base, which paved the way for Estrada to enter the game. After an RBI double by Shawn Garrett made the score 2-1, Prentice Redman launched a grand slam down the third base line off of Estrada to give West Tennessee a 5-2 advantage.

The Diamond Jaxx added another two runs in the top of the ninth to seal the deal, this time a home run off the bat of Mike Wilson, his third of the young season. Marwin Vega (1-2) earned the win with three innings of scoreless relief for the Diamond Jaxx.

Game four of this current five game series will take place on Sunday afternoon beginning at 5:00 pm at Smokies Park. Tennessee will send right-hander Mitch Atkins (1-1, 5.51) to the hill to square off against West Tennessee right-hander Chris Jakubauskas (1-0, 0.56). The series will conclude on Monday night at Smokies Park, with game time at 7:15 pm.

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Southern League Stories from April 26, 2008


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