SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Smokies' Molina beats Suns in 11th

Published on June 21, 2003 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – Yadier Molina's bases-loaded single in the 11th inning propelled the Tennessee Smokies past the Suns, 4-3, in front of a season-high 6,228 fans at Smokies Park.

Reliever Ryan Minor (0-1) allowed a leadoff single to Kevan Burns in the 11th. After an intentional walk, sacrifice and another intentional walk, Molina raised his pumped fist into the air after his single, sending the Suns (32-41 overall, 1-3 second half) to defeat.

The Suns tied the game 3-3 in the ninth when Jason Repko hit a sacrifice fly to score Reggie Abercrombie off Smokies closer Mike Lyons. Abercrombie walked to lead off the inning, stole second and advanced to third when the throw skipped into center field. Lyons' blown save was his third after converting 19 opportunities.

Shane Victorino led off the game with a home run off Smokies starter Nick Stocks on the second pitch. It was Victorino's first longball since May 31, 2002, at Birmingham off Jake Meyer. Abercrombie broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth, leading off the inning with his eighth home run.

Suns starter Tommy Farmer pitched six innings, allowing four hits and three runs. He needed 50 pitches to complete the first five innings, but required 24 to escape the sixth with one run.

John Nelson hit a solo home run off Farmer in the fifth inning, tying the score 2-2. Caonabo Cosme, who tripled earlier, scored on Farmer's wild pitch in the sixth when the ball eluded catcher B.J. Waszgis by about eight feet.

Victorino led the Suns with three hits.

Juan Figueroa (5-2) earned the victory in relief for the Smokies (38-36, 3-1).

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Southern League Stories from June 21, 2003


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