SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Smokies Make it Three in a Row

Published on July 2, 2007 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


Sevierville, TN - The Tennessee Smokies took their third game in a row against the visiting Mississippi Braves on Monday night at Smokies Park by the score of 4-3. Donnie Veal (5-5) went for six solid innings tonight, yielding only one run on five hits while striking out six Braves batters. With the win coupled with a loss by Chattanooga, the Smokies pulled into a first place tie in the North Division in front of 3,772 enthralled fans.

Tennessee took the early lead tonight in the first inning, chasing Braves starting pitcher Kelvin Villa (5-6). Sam Fuld continued his torrid hitting of late with a leadoff triple to get things started for the Smokies. Gary Cates followed with a sacrifice fly to score Fuld, and the Smokies were up 1-0. Jake Fox then singled, and moved to second after Casey McGehee walked. Jemel Spearman then doubled down the left field line to score both Fox and McGehee, and suddenly the Smokies had a 3-0 advantage.

The Braves finally got on the board against Veal and the Smokies in the fifth inning. Veal gave up a double to Carl Loadenthal just out of the reach of a diving Spearman in left field to score Van Pope and pull Mississippi to within two runs. The Smokies got the run back in the sixth inning after Tyler Colvin led off the inning with a double, his fourth as a Smokie. With two outs, catcher Chris Robinson crushed a double that hit the wall in deep center field to score Colvin and give the Smokies a 4-1 lead.

That would be all the scoring the Smokies would need tonight, as Tennessee got another strong outing from Veal and the bullpen as well. Matt Avery gave up only one run in an inning of relief. Rocky Roquet came on for the final two innings, striking out three Braves batters, including the final batter of the game to seasl the victory and notch his 2nd save of the season.

The Smokies will go for the series sweep on Tuesday night at Smokies Park against the visiting Mississippi Braves with an Independence Day fireworks show to follow the game. Tennessee will send left-hander Paul Schappert (3-3, 5.40) to the mound to face left-handed pitcher Francisley Bueno (2-3, 3.65). Game time is set for 7:15 pm. Tennessee Smokies Baseball - It's A Nine Inning Vacation! Call (865) 286-2300 for tickets or purchase tickets on line at www.smokiesbaseball.com.

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Southern League Stories from July 2, 2007


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