SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Smokies fall in shoutout Tuesday night, 9-8

Published on August 5, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. - Having spotted the Carolina Mudcats a five-run first inning lead, the Tennessee Smokies rebounded with the grit and heart characteristic of their eight-game winning streak. Multiple rallies would not be enough though for Tennessee, as a late Carolina run proved to be the difference in a 9-8 Smokies loss Tuesday night at Smokies Park. Even with the loss though, the Smokies are now in a first place tie with Chattanooga at 21-18 on the season's second half.

Tuesday's game had a little bit of everything. After a 1-hour, 14-minute rain delay, Carolina pounced on Tennessee starter for five runs in the top of the first to take a 5-0 lead. Juan Francisco did the most damage in the frame, belting a two-run home run to center.

The Smokies picked away at Carolina's lead in the first and second innings, eventually taking a 6-5 lead after three. Newcomer Starlin Castro was right in the middle of the early part of the rally, scoring a run in the first and delivering a two-run single to left in the second.

In the third, four consecutive hits by Tennessee would put three runs up on the board. With one out, Doug Deeds led the third-inning rally with a double. Russ Canzler's single brought in Deeds and cut the Mudcats' lead to 5-4. Tony Thomas followed with a single to left to put runners on first and second. Blake Lalli brought Canzler and Thomas home with a two-run double to right to give the Smokies their first lead of the game.

After an 18-minute delay in the top of the fourth due to a power outage at the ballpark and three runs put up by Carolina in the frame, Geovany Soto answered with a line drive shot over the left field wall to cut Carolina's lead to 8-7. The Chicago Cubs All-Star catcher would finish his second-of-three games with the Smokies 1-for-3 on the night.

The Smokies best chance to regain the lead came in the seventh. With one out and runners on first and second, Russ Canzler drove a Jerry Gil pitch deep to the left-center gap. With the right bounce, both Ty Wright and Marquez Smith would have scored to give the Smokies the lead. The ball bounced though over the wall for a ground-rule double, bringing Smith back to third base. He would be tagged out at home on a fielder's choice, keeping the score tied at eight.

The Mudcats would win the game in the top of the ninth, as a wild pitch by Tennessee reliever Brian Schlitter (0-6) brought home Shaun Cumberland from third. The run gave Carolina reliever Sean Watson (4-4) the win and Joe Krebs (S, 1) his first save with the Mudcats.

The two teams cap their five-game series Wednesday night at Smokies Park. Tickets for the 7:15 game can be purchased at www.smokiesbaseball.com, by calling the Smokies at 286-2300 or at the stadium ticket office.

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Southern League Stories from August 5, 2009


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