SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Smokies Earn Split, Leave Carolina with 9-6 Win

Published on May 30, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


Zebulon, NC - Mike Lyons earned his league leading 18th save while Caonabo Cosme and Yadier Molina each homered to lead Tennessee (30-24) past Carolina (32-20) 9-6 Friday night at Five County Stadium. Rick Ankiel started the game but last just three innings in his fifth start.

Trailing 4-1 in the sixth, Cosme launched a solo shot to left off starter Donnie Bridges that was followed by a Kevan Burns triple that chased Bridges from the game. Bucky Jacobsen's grounder was played into a two base error that scored Burns. Two batters later Corey Erickson doubled to score Jacobsen and tie the game at four.

Tennessee won the game with a three-run seventh against reliever Ryan Baker (1-1). Cosme singled with one out and scored on Scott Krause's double. Jacobsen doubled home Krause and Baker was replaced by Jose Cueto. Cueto walked the next two batters to load the bases for Molina. Molina's line drive was dropped by shortstop Josh Wilson, one of four errors for Carolina, and scored Jacobsen to put Tennessee up 7-4.

Juan Pena (3-3) allowed one run over three innings to pick up the win.

Carolina rallied with a two run eighth before Molina put the game out of reach with his timely shot in the top of the ninth.

Ankiel left after three innings with Tennessee trailing 3-0. He threw 58 pitches, 32 for strikes, and threw 9 of 14 first pitch strikes. Ankiel retired the final five batters he faced and needed just 14 pitches to get through the third inning.

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Southern League Stories from May 30, 2003


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