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SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Rays Power Past Smokies

August 23, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


Sevierville, Tenn. - Fernando Cortez and Shawn Riggans both connected for their first home runs of the season off Tennessee starter Julio Villalon (L, 4-7) and defeated the Smokies by the score of 6 to 4, dropping the Smokies to a first place tie with Carolina in the Eastern Division pennant race. The game took place in front of 6,192 fans Saturday night at Smokies Park.

Cortez's solo blast in the top of the second gave Orlando a 1-0 advantage. Tennessee quickly answered when third baseman Corey Erickson hit a solo shot off Jon Switzer (W, 8-8) on the first pitch of the home third.

The tie was short lived as Riggans delivered a home run in the top of the fourth with Cortez aboard. First baseman Jace Brewer also scored in the inning to make the score 4-1.

After Tennessee responded with a run on a Shaun Boyd sacrifice fly in the home half of the fourth, the Orlando bats came alive once again. Jonny Gomes hit a ball over the centerfield wall with the bases empty off of relief pitcher Juan Pena to increase the margin to 5-2. The Rays tallied another run in the sixth when shortstop B.J. Upton singled in Riggans from third.

Tennessee made things interesting in the sixth. Yadier Molina scored after hitting a single to extend his season high hitting streak to thirteen. Molina plated after Bucky Jacobsen singled to right. On the play fielder B.J. Barns threw the ball into the infield to third baseman Dan Dement. Dement decided to try to nab Jacobsen at second base. Instead, he committed his second error of the game. Jacobsen advanced to third on the play and was driven in by a Caonabo Cosme groundout making the score 6-4.

Josh Parker came in to pitch the ninth inning for the Rays to earn his ninth save of the year and second in as many nights. Parker gave up a two out double by Papo Bolivar but got John Nelson to groundout to end the game. Chris Flinn who pitched a perfect eigth preceded him.

The Smokies conclude their four game homestand Sunday evening against Orlando. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tennessee will then head to Carolina for four games before returning home for a four game home finale with the Jacksonville Suns. Both of the remaining series will have large playoff implications. The Smokies will send Nick Stocks (9-7, 4.67) to the hill to face Dewon Brazelton (NR) Sunday afternoon.

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