Smokies Drop Finale to Suns
April 27, 2011 - Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
Jacksonville, FL - A late inning collapse by David Cales allowed the Suns to tie and eventually win in walk-off fashion, as they defeated the Smokies 2-1 in the series finale on Wednesday afternoon at The Baseball Grounds. The loss drops Tennessee to 13-7 on the year, and they finished their ten game road trip at 6-4.
After being retired in order by LHP Darin Downs in the first, the Smokies came away with the first run of the game in the top of the second. After getting Rebel Ridling to ground out to start the frame, Downs surrendered back-to-back base hits to Josh Vitters and Blake Lalli to put runners at first and second with one out. Lalli would be forced out at second on a ground ball hit by Jim Adduci to put runners at the corners with two outs. The next batter, Nate Samson, lined a base hit up the middle to bring in Vitters and give the Smokies a 1-0 lead.
RHP Robert Whitenack made his Double-A debut after being promoted earlier in the day from High-A Daytona. The right-hander retired 16 of the first 17 hitters he faced, including the first 11 of the ball game. Whitenack ended up tossing six innings and gave up only three hits, while recording three strikeouts. RHP Blake Parker followed Whitenack and faced the minimum throught two innings, and the Smokies went to the ninth inning leading 1-0.
The Smokies were set down in order for the second straight inning in the top of the ninth by RHP Sandy Rosario (1-0). Working on back-to-back days, RHP David Cales (0-2) came into pitch the bottom of ninth and gave up a lead-off single to right field to Erik Lis. Kevin Mattison's failed sacrifice bunt forced Lis out at second for the first out of the frame. The Suns then had runners at first and second with one out after Cales issued a walk to Chris Gutierrez. Mattison came around to score the tying run on an RBI single to centerfield with Jake Smolinski. On the play, Gutierrez advanced to third and represented the game-winning run. After Cales intentionally walked Kyle Skipworth to set up a potential double play, Jorge Padilla singled to right field, driving in Gutierrez from third to win the game.
The Smokies will return to Smokies Park on Thursday, April 28th, as the Smokies will host the Carolina Mudcats in a five-game series through May 2. RHP Alberto Cabrera (2-0, 5.06) will take the mound for the Smokies, while the Mudcats hand the ball to LHP Travis Webb (0-2, 13.03). Tickets can be purchased at www.smokiesbaseball.com or by calling (865) 286-2300 .
Southern League Stories from April 27, 2011
- Mudcats Lose 5-1 To Chattanooga - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Longoria's Batting Practice Open to Fans - Montgomery Biscuits
- Smokies Drop Finale to Suns - Knoxville Smokies
- RHP Matt Klinker Joins Mudcats, Starts Tonight - Carolina Mudcats
- Suns Rally to Beat Smokies 2-1 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- M-Braves Fall in a Blowout to the Montgomery Biscuits, 17-2 - Mississippi Braves
- Biscuits Explode for 17 Runs to Get Series Win - Montgomery Biscuits
- Homestand Highlights - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Stars Game Postponed - Huntsville Stars
- BayBears, Generals Postponed Again Wednesday - Mobile BayBears
- Whitenack joins Tennessee from Daytona; Sommer Released - Knoxville Smokies
- Last Chance to Win An iPad2 - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Generals, BayBears Double-Header Postponed Wednesday - Jackson Generals
- First-Place Smokies Return Home this Thursday - Knoxville Smokies
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