SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Six-run seventh aids Smokies to 10-8 win over Suns Tuesday

Published on August 31, 2011 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


KODAK, Tenn. - A six-run seventh inning aided the Tennessee Smokies to a 10-8 win over the Jacksonville Suns Tuesday night at Smokies Park. Steve Clevenger and Josh Vitters led a 15-hit attack for the Smokies in a thrilling victory in Tennessee's regular-season home finale. The win improves the Smokies second half record to 38-27, 81-57 overall. With five games to go, the Smokies are currently in a tie for the North Division second half title with the Chattanooga Lookouts.

The 2,990 fans that came of Tuesday night for Fan Appreciation Night were part of the 265,341 that witnessed Tennessee's North Division title defense first-hand in 2011 at Smokies Park. The year-end regular-season total is the third largest in team's history, most since 2002.

Trailing by a run in the fourth innings, the Smokies bats came to life. Clevenger and Junior Lake singled to start things off, and David Macias tied it up with a single to score Clevenger. After Tennessee pitcher Marco Carrillo singled to load the bases, Vitters ripped a bases clearing double down the left field line to give Tennessee a 4-1 advantage.

Carrillo was solid in his start for the Smokies, going five innings and allowing one unearned run on two hits while striking out six.

Jacksonville would score four runs between the sixth and seventh innings, but the Smokies would take advantage of two Suns' error and respond scoring six times, all with two outs. Clevenger singled, and then Lake reached on a throwing error to put runners at the corners. After Nelson Perez singled to score Clevenger and tie it up, another Jacksonville error on a David Macias ground ball allowed Lake and Perez to score. Ty Wright then ripped a pinch-hit double to deep center to score Macias, and Jae-Hoon Ha followed with a single to put runners at second and third. Josh Vitters capped off the six-run frame with a single to bring in two more, giving the Smokies a 10-5 lead.

The Suns appeared unwilling to go down quietly after the Smokies' big seventh inning. Jacksonville brought in three runs over the eighth and ninth innings, but Jeff Stevens (S, 2) was able to shut the door and protect the win for Tennessee.

Marcus Haley (3-0) picked up the win in relief for the Smokies, allowing two runs on two hits in an inning of work. Ramon Benjamin (2-2) took the loss for Jacksonville.

After an off day, the Smokies head to Birmingham and conclude the 2011 regular season with a five-game series against the Birmingham Barons. The Smokies will return to Smokies Park for Game 1 of the Southern League North Division Series against the Chattanooga Lookouts on Thursday, September 8. First-round playoff tickets at Smokies Park can be purchased at www.smokiesbaseball.com or by calling (865) 286-2300.

Check out the Knoxville Smokies Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Southern League Stories from August 31, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central