SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Smokies Complete Braves Series with 10-5 Win

Published on July 26, 2010 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


PEARL, Miss. - The first place Tennessee Smokies continued their winning ways against the Mississippi Braves, winning 10-5 on Monday night at Trustmark Park. The victory is Tennessee's fourth in the five-game series, the second time the Smokies have taken four of five from the Braves in Pearl.

Tennessee's win along with Carolina and Huntsville's losses has put the Smokies second half North Division lead at two games, as the Smokies improve to 18-13 in the second half. The Smokies overall record is now 60-40, the best record Tennessee has had in 2010, a full 20 games over the five hundred mark.

The Smokies built their large lead in the first three innings. Robinson Chirinos' sacrifice fly in the top of the first staked Tennessee to an early 1-0 lead before the Braves would tie the game in the bottom of the first. The Smokies broke the tie with three-run rallies in the second and third innings.

The second inning two-out rally was built by an RBI double for Tony Campana, then RBI singles for Brett Jackson and Blake Lalli gave the Smokies a 4-1 lead.

Tony Thomas hit a three-run homer in the top of the fourth to give the Smokies a six-run advantage, as his second homer in as many days put the Smokies ahead 7-1.

Smokies starter Rafael Dolis lasted three innings on the mound, giving up one run on three hits as he walked three batters while striking out three. Mississippi's starter Tim Gustafson also pitched three innings, giving up seven runs on eight hits with four walks. Gustafson is now 3-2 in 2010.

Oswaldo Martinez picked up the win for Tennessee, pitching three innings in relief where he gave up two unearned runs on four hits. Martinez's win improves his season totals to 2-1 with the Smokies in eight relief appearances.

Mississippi scored a pair of runs in the fifth inning, thanks to RBI triples for Willie Cabrera and Mauro Gomez to put the score at 7-3. The Braves also scored one run in the eighth inning against Smokies reliever Ryan Buchter to cut Tennessee's lead to 7-4.

Tennessee got two insurance runs in the top of the ninth to extend the lead to 10-4. Luke Sommer pitched in the ninth for Tennessee, giving up a run but got the final out to preserve the 10-5 victory.

Tennessee will have Tuesday off before beginning a five-game home series against the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, the Class AA affiliate of the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night. The opener at Smokies Park will begin at 7:15 p.m., as Chris Carpenter will start for Tennessee. Carpenter is 7-4 with a 3.07 earned run average in 18 starts in 2010. Blake Beavan will pitch for West Tenn, and he is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA in 2010.

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Southern League Stories from July 26, 2010


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