Smokies Give Away Lead, Fall In Montgomery
Published on July 29, 2011 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
Montgomery, AL - A four-run sixth inning erased the lead for the Smokies, and the Biscuits went on to defeat Tennessee, 7-4, on Friday at Riverwalk Stadium. The loss drops the Smokies to 15-19 on the year. They have now dropped nine of their last 12 on the road.
In the bottom of the second inning, Montgomery's Kyeong Kang continued to use the long ball against Smokies pitching, as he hit a solo homer off RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx (1-2) to put the Biscuits on the board 1-0. It was the third home run of the series for Kang. In the bottom of the third, Isais Velazquez doubled off Bibens-Dirkx and came home to score on an RBI single Bret Nommenson to give Montgomery a 2-0 edge ofter three innings.
The Smokies' bats came alive in the fourth inning, as Josh VItters reached on an infield single and was driven in on an RBI double from Rebel Ridling to cut the Biscuits lead, 2-1. With one out in the top of the sixth, Ty Wright homered off RHP Alexander Colome to tie the game at 2-2. Colome then gave up two straight singles to Blake Lalli and Vitters, and walked Ridling to load the bases. Nate Samson came up and worked out a bases loaded walk to bring in the go-ahead run, giving the Smokies a 3-2 lead. However, the bases loaded rally ended abruptly as Samson was picked off to end the frame. That one-run lead evaporated in the bottom frame, as Bibens-Dirks surrendered four runs on four hits, capped off by a two-run single by Matt Sweeney, and the Biscuits went ahead 6-3.
In the seventh inning, Tim Beckham reached on a fielding error, stole second base and came in to score on and RBI single from Cole Figueroa to push Montgomery's lead to 7-3. With two outs in the top of the eighth, Vitters connected on a solo home run to left field to cut the lead to 7-4. RHP Zach Quate came into pitch in the top of the ninth inning for the Biscuits and retired the side in order to record his 18th save for Montgomery and preserve the win.
The Smokies and Biscuits conclude their series on Saturday at 8:05 PM. LHP Brooks Raley (6-8, 4.23) makes the start for the Smokies, while Montgomery hands the ball to RHP Nick Barnese (6-4, 3.23). Tennessee returns home to start a five game series against the Birmingham Barons on Sunday, July 31, at 5:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased at www.smokiesbaseball.com or by calling (865) 286-2300.
Southern League Stories from July 29, 2011
- Smokies Give Away Lead, Fall In Montgomery - Knoxville Smokies
- Braves Hold off BayBears - Mobile BayBears
- Four-Run 6th Keys Third-Straight Win - Montgomery Biscuits
- Oberholtzer ties M-Braves' record with 5-4 victory - Mississippi Braves
- Mudcats Defeat Suns 6-2 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Stars Blind Barons, 2-1 - Birmingham Barons
- Carolina win over Jacksonville - Carolina Mudcats
- Generals Win On Wild Pitch In Ninth Friday To Even Series - Jackson Generals
- Generals Edge Lookouts, 4-3 - Chattanooga Lookouts
- First-Place BayBears Back Home on Sunday - Mobile BayBears
- Christian Concert Kicks off 'All Things Chicago Series' - Knoxville Smokies
- Generals Notes Friday - Jackson Generals
- Suns Announce Game Time Changes - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
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.
