SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Smokies Come Close, But Fall 5-4

Published on July 16, 2011 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


Pearl, MS - A three-run third inning keyed the Braves in their 5-4 victory over the Smokies on Friday night at Trustmark Park. With the loss, the Smokies fall to 10-12 in the second half and 53-39 overall in 2011.

After a delay to the start of the game of just over an hour, the Smokies cashed in early off RHP Randall Delgado. Jae-Hoon Ha started the game off with a double to left field and Matt Camp walked to put runners at first and second. After Ha was thrown out on a fielder's choice at third base and a Rebel Ridling strikeout, Camp came around to score on an RBI single from Blake Lalli to put the Smokies in front 1-0. The Braves' bats came out of the gate patient against RHP Ryan Searle (2-1). The right-hander walked the first three batters in the bottom of the first before Tyler Pastornicky scored on a fielder's choice by Ernesto Mejia to tie the game at 1-1.

In the third, the Smokies took a brief lead on an RBI single from Jai-Hoon Ha to score Nelson Perez, but Mississippi plated three runs off Searle in the bottom frame to take a 4-2 lead. Antwan Richardson doubled to lead off the frame and came around to score on the two-base hit off the bat of Mejia. After walking Dan Nelson, Searle threw a wild pitch while facing Mycal Jones, allowing both runners to advance in scoring position. Jones belted the next pitch down the left field line for a two run double, and the Braves were up 4-2 after three innings.

Each team would score a run in the fifth inning off sacrifice flies. In the seventh inning off RHP Richard Sullivan (3-4), Rebel Ridling hit a one-out single and advanced to second base on a throwing error by Willie Cabrera. After an infield single by Matt Spencer advanced RIdling to third base, the first baseman tagged up on a sacrifice fly to center field by Nelson Perez to cut the Braves lead to 5-4. That would be the closest the Smokies would come, as J.J. Hoover and Billy Bullock combined to pitch the final two innings and only issuing a walk to Tennessee. Bullock would strike out the side in the bottom of the ninth for his seventh save of the year.

Tennessee and Mississippi continue their series on Saturday at 7:05 PM. RHP Dallas Beeler (1-4, 4.50) takes the hill for the Smokies, while the Braves counter with LHP Luis Avilan (1-4, 5.59). The Smokies return to Smokies Park on Wednesday, July 20, to welcome in the Carolina Mudcats at 7:15 PM. Tickets 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 July 16, 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