SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Smokies bats silent in loss

Published on June 30, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. - After taking five out of the last six games on the road, the Tennessee Smokies were welcomed home rudely by the Huntsville Stars in a 7-3 loss. The Smokies fell to 9-4 for the second half of the season with the loss, but still stayed atop the Northern Division in front of 3,828 fans and dogs.

The Stars were able to draw first blood on the Smokies in the top of the third inning off starting pitcher James Russell (3-3). The Southern League leaders in team hitting; Huntsville plated their first run of the game thanks to three consecutive hits to begin the third inning. Huntsville also plated single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings as well, but the Smokies were still in the game down just 4-1 after six.

After Huntsville scored another two runs in the top of the eighth to take a 6-1 lead, the Smokies finally had some luck go their way tonight. With Jason Shiell on in relief for David Johnson (3-2), Jake Fox led off the eighth with a single to left field. Matt Craig continued his hot hitting by smashing a double to left center field, his second hit of the night, to put runners at second and third. Doug Deeds then grounded a seemingly routing ball to shortstop Alcides Escobar, but he misplayed the hop to bring home both Fox and Craig. The Smokies were unable to generate any more offense that inning, but had narrowed the gap to 6-3.

The Stars would add an insurance run in the ninth to take a four run lead, which was all closer Juan Sandoval would need in earning his ninth save of the season. Russell sputtered through five innings of work, allowing three runs to score off nine hits while striking out three. The Smokies pitching staff worked out of a few potentially serious jams throughout the night, as the Stars stranded fifteen batters on the night.

Tennessee will look to even the score on Tuesday night at Smokies Park with game time at 7:15 pm. The Smokies will send right-hander Mitch Atkins (7-6, 4.05) to the mound to face off against Stars left-hander Brea Wright (6-6, 3.56). The four-game series will continue on through Thursday July 3rd.

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Southern League Stories from June 30, 2008


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