SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Smokies End First Half With Win

Published on June 16, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


Zebulon, NC - Julio Villalon (1-0) won his Double A debut as Tennessee (35-35) ended the season's first half by snapping an eight game losing streak in a 3-1 win over Carolina Monday night.

Mike Lyons earned his league leading 19th save, and first since May 30, by pitching a scoreless ninth inning.

Tennessee erased a 1-0 Carolina lead with a two-out rally in the sixth inning. Bucky Jacobsen doubled to right-center against Carolina starter Ryan Snare (5-2), who then walked Papo Bolivar. Corey Erickson drove them both home with a double off the left field wall that put Tennessee ahead 2-1. The Smokies added an insurance run in the seventh when Al Benjamin was hit by a pitch and scored three batters later on a wild pitch.

Carolina's lone run came in the fifth against the 25-year old Villalon. Villalon walked Chip Ambres and Brandon Harper followed with a fielder's choice. Harper was sacrificed to second and scored on a Billy Hall double.

Villalon was added to the active roster prior to the game, taking Scott Krause's roster spot. Krause, in his tenth season of professional baseball, was released with an expected retirement to follow.

Following an off day Tuesday, Tennessee opens the season's second half at home against Jacksonville Wednesday night. Rhett Parrott (3-7, 4.28) will start for the home team against Alfredo Gonzales.

Check out the Knoxville Smokies Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Southern League Stories from June 16, 2003


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