Smokies Comeback Falls Short
July 26, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
Lake Buena Vista, Fla.- Tennessee's two out ninth inning rally fell short as the Smokies (22-12, 57-47) opened a four game series with a 6-4 loss at Orlando (14-20, 46-57) in front of 4,340 fans Saturday night.
The Smokies, trailing 6-2 heading into the ninth, rallied against Rays closer Josh Parker. Chris Weekly drew a full count walk to start the rally and advanced to third on Skip Schumaker's single. John Nelson singled to score Weekly, and Papo Bolivar's hard hit ground ball was misplayed by third baseman Juan Salas to score Schumaker. Bucky Jacobsen popped out to second to end the game with the tying run at first.
The Rays took a commanding 6-1 lead by batting around in the second inning, scoring six times on seven hits against Juan Pena (L, 4-4). Pena allowed five straight singles and the first six Rays reached base. Jesus Feliciano delivered a bases loaded two-run single and Dan Dement drove in two with a double to highlight the pivotal second.
Josh Axelson stopped the bleeding and then some when he entered the game for Pena with two out in the second. Axelson worked 5 1/3 hitless innings, allowing only a pair of walks before being replaced by Kevin Sprague in the 8th. Sprague worked a perfect eighth inning as the Tennessee bullpen held the Rays scoreless over the final 6 1/3 innings.
Bucky Jacobsen's league leading 22nd home run led off the second inning and gave Tennessee a short lived 1-0 lead.
Game two of the four game series and the second of eight straight between the two clubs pits Nick Stocks (8-5, 4.38) against Chad Gaudin (1-0, 0.00). Gauding threw the second perfect game in Southern League history in his Double A debut against Jacksonville July 15.
Southern League Stories from July 26, 2003
- Barons Top BayBears, 6-5 - Birmingham Barons
- Big fourth for Barons does in BayBears - Mobile BayBears
- Stars Hold on for 8-7 Win - Huntsville Stars
- Smokies Comeback Falls Short - Knoxville Smokies
- Orlando Holds Off Smokies 6-4 - Orlando Rays
- Suns' 9 lives expire in 10th - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Stars Rout Smokies, 11-5 - Huntsville Stars
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