NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Tennessee Smokies

Smokies Bullpen Blows Eighth Inning Lead

May 31, 2017 - Southern League (SL1)
Tennessee Smokies News Release


Montgomery, AL - Jen Ho-Tseng received early run support, but the Smokies bullpen faltered in a four run bottom of the eighth to fall 5-3 in Montgomery.

David Bote got the Smokies scoring started with a solo home run to lead off the second inning, his sixth of the season. Erick Castillo would double home Carlos Penalver the next inning to extend the Smokies lead to 2-0.

Andrew Velazquez for the second straight night left the yard, putting Montgomery on the board with his solo shot.

Carlos Penalver would add to the solo home run party with a bases empty shot of his own in the seventh inning, his first of the season.

Jen Ho-Tseng pitched a fantastic outing, working through multiple jams in his six innings of four hit, one run baseball. And while Tseng did his job, the relief arms struggled in their attempt to close out the ballgame.

Justin Hancock entered in the eighth inning and that's when the collapse began. Biscuits outfielder Granden Goetzman started off a pivotal inning with a ground ball that turned into a fielding error by Carlos Penalver. Joe Mccarthy would then double home Granden Goetzman to bring the Biscuits within a run. Michael Russell would follow a Grant Kay walk with a double to score both McCarthy and Kay, giving Montgomery the one run lead. Montgomery would add another run and blank the Smokies in the top of the ninth for a 5-3 win.

Tennessee still sits in first place due to Chattanooga's loss, but now the Biscuits are alive and well in the first half race at just a game and a half back. Preston Morrison takes the hill for Tennessee tomorrow, looking to avoid the three game skid and what would clinch Montgomery's seventh straight series win in this rivalry.

Check out the Tennessee Smokies Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Southern League message board...

Southern League Stories from May 31, 2017


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