SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Smokies Jump on G-Braves Early

Published on June 28, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


Sevierville, Tenn. - Tennessee (9-1, 44-36) won its sixth in a row over the Greenville Braves (1-9, 37-41) and its seventh straight overall with a 5-1 victory Saturday night in front of a season high 6,278 fans at Smokies Park.

The Smokies jumped on the Braves in the first inning when Bucky Jacobsen hit a three-run home run against former Florida Marlin Chuck Smith. Skip Schumaker ledoff the game with a walk and Caonabo Cosme reached on a fielder's choice before being driven in by Jacobsen's 17th home run of the year.

Smokies starter Julio Villalon (3-0), who's won each of his three starts with Tennessee, ran into some trouble in the third as he gave up a walk and single. Catcher Dan Moylan, now starting for injured Yadier Molina, was able to get Villalon through the inning when he picked off a runner and threw out another. Molina suffered a sprained left ankle while running the bases Friday night.

Al Benjamin added an insurance run in the seventh when he plated Corey Erickson with a pinch-hit sacrifice fly. John Nelson drove home Kevan Burns with an infield single to put the Smokies ahead 5-1.

Villalon has now won all four of his starts this season, pitching seven innings and allowing one run on five hits. His ERA in three starts with the Smokies is now 0.83. Juan Pena and newcomer Josh Kinney relieved Villalon for the final two innings to preserve the Smokies win. Kinney worked a perfect ninth in his Double A debut.

Braves starter Chuck Smith (1-2) went 6 2/3 innings allowing five earned runs and four walks as he picked up the loss.

The Smokies will play the G-Braves in a 5:00 Sunday game at Smokies Park. Rhett Parrott (5-7, 3.78) will start for the Smokies against Greenville's Chris Waters (2-2, 3.58). The Smokies will try to win their eighth in a row and seventh straight over Greenville in the final game of the series.

Check out the Knoxville Smokies Statistics

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



Southern League Stories from June 28, 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