Rain Delay, Diamond Jaxx No Match for Smokies
June 13, 2007 - Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
Sevierville, TN - In a game that started two hours and fifteen minutes late due to a rain delay, the Tennessee Smokies got a combination of great pitching and timely hitting to down the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx 7-3 tonight at Smokies Park.
A good portion of the 3,021 fans stuck around through the wee hours of the night to watch the Smokies keep pace in the North Division with the win. With four games remaining in the first half of the season, Tennessee is just one game behind the division leading Huntsville Stars.
After the extended rain delay, the Smokies got things started off right in their half of the first inning. Jemel Spearman led the game off with a chop single over the third baseman's head, then moved to 2nd after Sam Fuld was called out at first base on a very close play. Fuld was ejected on the play for arguing with the umpire on the call. Spearman eventually scored on a Jake Fox groundout, and Tennessee had an early 1-0 lead.
The Diamond Jaxx battled back in the 2nd inning to tie the score at one. In the bottom of the 4th inning, the Smokies took the game back by plating two runs. Fox singled in the inning to get things started. Matt Craig then hit a laser shot to right center that got past Diamond Jaxx right fielder Prentice Redman for a triple to score Fox. Casey McGehee then hit into a fielder's choice to score Craig to put the Smokies up 3-1.
The Smokies broke the game wide open in the bottom of the 5th inning to put the game away for good. Chris Robinson walked to open the inning, and then moved to third on an Issmael Salas double. After a sacrifice fly by Spearman scored Robinson, Jorge Cortes singled home Salas. After a double by Fox moved Cortes to third, Josh Kroeger singled them both home to give the Smokies a 7-1 lead.
Justin Berg (3-4) pitched his strongest game of the season to date in picking up the win. Berg pitched eight complete innings, yielding nine hits, two runs and no walks on the night. Justin Thomas (2-3) suffered the loss for the Diamond Jaxx.
The Smokies continue this key five-game series with West Tennessee on Thursday night beginning at 7:15 pm. Tennessee will send right-hander Kevin Hart (3-5, 5.68) to the mound to square off against the Diamond Jaxx righty Andrew Baldwin (1-6, 5.07).
Tennessee Smokies Baseball - It's A Nine Inning Vacation! Call (865) 286-2300 for tickets or purchase tickets on line at www.smokiesbaseball.com.
Southern League Stories from June 13, 2007
- Rain Delay, Diamond Jaxx No Match for Smokies - Knoxville Smokies
- Suns Leave Biscuits in the Shade, 4-0 - Montgomery Biscuits
- Suns Take Series Opener in Montgomery - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Mudcats Extend Winning Streak, 5-4 - Carolina Mudcats
- Braves Lose Fourth Straight - Mississippi Braves
- BayBears Beat Braves, 5-3 - Mobile BayBears
- Stars Pull Out Dramatic Win in Ninth - Huntsville Stars
- Barons To Host 'Petrol-Palooza' Gas Giveaway - Birmingham Barons
- Mudcats Transaction - Carolina Mudcats
- Diamond Jaxx Roster Move - Jackson Generals
- Montgomery Biscuits Roster Transaction - Montgomery Biscuits
- It's Pennant Fever at Smokies Park! - Knoxville Smokies
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