Smokies on Wrong End of Pitcher's Duel Wednesday Night
Published on August 10, 2011 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
KODAK, Tenn. - Runs were at a premium in Wednesday night's contest between the Tennessee Smokies and the Jacksonville Suns. Unfortunately for the Smokies, they were on the wrong end of a pitching duel and fell 3-1 to the Suns. The loss, in front of 2,813, dropped the Smokies to 25-21 in the season's second half, 68-48 overall.
Tennessee starter Brooks Raley and Jacksonville starter Joey O'Gara brought their best stuff to the table and kept both teams scoreless through the first three frames.
In the fourth, Raley walked Kevin Mattison to lead off the inning then attempted to pick him off at first, but an errant throw allowed Mattison to advance to third. Luke Montz hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield scoring Mattison, giving the Jacksonville a 1-0 lead.
The Smokies' starter retired nine of the next eleven hitters before giving up a solo homerun to Kyle Skipworth in the seventh inning to make it 2-0 Jacksonville.
Raley (6-9) took the loss, but matched his longest outing of the season, going seven innings, allowing five hits, two runs (one earned), one walk while striking out five.
Tennessee would cut their deficit in half when Blake Lalli hit his ninth home run of the year in the seventh inning.
The Smokies would threaten later in the inning after a Nelson Perez double and a Junior Lake walk, but reliever Zach Simons got pinch-hitter Ty Wright to fly out to right field to end the rally.
Jeff Stevens came on to replace Raley in the 8th inning. Pinch-Hitter Jim Negrych greeted Stevens with a double to left field. Negrych reached third on a sacrifice bunt then scored the Suns' third run of the game on a Stevens' wild pitch. However, the Smokies' reliever escaped a bases loaded jam without any more damage, keeping the Smokies within two runs.
Tennessee staged a threat in the eighth inning after Josh Vitters base hit and Blake Lalli walk, Tennessee had the tying runs on in the 8th, but Jacksonville reliever Jhan Marinez kept the Smokies off the scoreboard by forcing Rebel Ridling to groundout to the shortstop.
Stevens pitched a scoreless ninth giving the Smokies one more chance to tie or win the game. Suns' closer Sandy Rosario came on to pitch the ninth and recorded his Southern League leading 23rd save after retiring the Smokies in order.
Tennessee and Jacksonville will continue their five-game set on Thursday night at 7:15 at Smokies Park. Marco Carrillo (5-2, 1.87) gets the call for Tennessee, while Jacksonville will send Jose Alverez (1-4, 5.94) to the mound. For tickets and more information, fans can visit www.smokiesbaseball.com or by calling (865) 286-2300.
Southern League Stories from August 10, 2011
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- Smokies on Wrong End of Pitcher's Duel Wednesday Night - Knoxville Smokies
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- O'Gara Dominant in 3-1 Victory - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Southern League Releases 2012 Schedule - SL1
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