SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Smokies Late Rally Falls Short, 8-5

Published on April 23, 2007 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


Sevierville, TN - The Tennessee Smokies had held the visiting Mobile BayBears scoreless in the last two games. Mobile made up for that fact tonight, scoring four runs early in the game and holding off a late Smokies charge to notch an 8-5 win.

The BayBears ended their scoreless streak at Smokies Park in a big way during the second inning. After back-to-back singles by Mark Reynolds and Javier Brito, Josh Ford walked to load the bases with no outs. Smokies pitcher Paul Schappert gave Mobile their first run of the series by hitting Jon Zeringue. Jonathan Castellanos helped his own cause with an RBI fielder's choice, and a single by Emilio Bonifacio gave the BayBears an early 4-0 lead.

In the third, a leadoff walk to Schappert helped the Smokies cut the lead in half. Newly acquired Sam Fuld, who was brought in from extended spring training, slapped an RBI single to left bringing home Schappert. Jake Fox hit a single up the middle, scoring Fuld and making the score 4-2.

Mobile's Emilio Bonifacio singled in the fifth to get the offense started for the BayBears. After a bunt single by Phil Avlas, Carlos Gonzalez brought Bonifacio home on a sacrifice fly to center field. The BayBears loaded the bases, and reliever Greg Reinhard walked in a run to increase the lead to 6-2. Mobile added a run in the seventh with a solo homerun by Reynolds, and in the eighth with a RBI single by Phil Avlas.

Tennessee rallied in the ninth, plating three runs and sending the tying run in Jemel Spearman to the plate. Spearman sent a long fly ball to deep left center field that launched the crowd of 2,178 to its feet, but was caught at the wall by Chris Rahl to end the rally and the game.

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Southern League Stories from April 23, 2007


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