Papelbon, Smokies silence Mudcats Saturday night
Published on June 20, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. - After two walkoff wins in the first three games of its series with the Carolina Mudcats, the Tennessee Smokies made it look easy Saturday night. Jeremy Papelbon & Co. shut down the Mudcats, 7-0, in front of 4,678 fans on Pink Ribbon Night at Smokies Park. In the process, the Smokies (31-38) guaranteed a series win over Carolina heading into tomorrow's first-half season finale.
Following a scoreless first, the Smokies defense would come up huge in the second to keep Carolina off the board. With runners on first and second with no outs, Carolina's Eric Eymann hit a grounder to Smokies 3B Jonathan Mota. Mota fielded the grounder right next to the third base bag and stepped on third for the first out. He then threw to 2B Tony Thomas for the second out, with Thomas whipping the ball around to 1B Doug Deeds to complete the Smokies' first triple play ever at Smokies Park.
The home team's momentum carried over into the bottom of the inning, as Doug Deeds came across home on a Mark Reed groundout off Dallas Buck (2-2) to give the Smokies a 1-0 lead. The Smokies padded their lead three innings later by putting up a five-spot on the board. Singles by Ty Wright and Mota each brought in a run in the fifth to make it 3-0 Smokies. Darwin Barney followed Mota's single with a bases-loaded single of his own. Instead of only scoring two runs on the play though, a throwing error by Carolina CF Chris Heisey to third brought Mota around as well, giving the Smokies a 6-0 lead.
Tony Thomas would complete the scoring on the night for both teams, crossing home on a sacrifice double play by Deeds to make it 7-0 Tennessee.
Just as impressive as the Smokies offense, and Mota's triple play, was Papelbon's performance. The lefty held the Mudcats scoreless over 5.2 innings, scattering five hits and walking one. Papelbon (2-3) struck out two. Relievers Alex Maestri and Marco Carrillo combined to hold Carolina to only three hits over the final 3.1 innings and complete Tennessee's shutout.
Tennessee and Carolina finish their five-game series Sunday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. at Smokies Park. Carolina's Alexander Smit (2-1, 3.08) will face Casey Lambert (4-5, 3.65) for Tennessee. Prior to Sunday's game the Smokies will host a Father's Day "Play Catch With Dad" event on the field from 3:45-4:15 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.smokiesbaseball.com or by calling (865) 286-2300.
Southern League Stories from June 20, 2009
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