Smokies Pitchers Strike Out 16 In Loss
July 12, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
Sevierville, Tenn. - Julio Villalon struck out a season high 11, but the Smokies bats could not support him as Huntsville (11-8, 51-36) turned back Tennessee (15-6, 50-41) 4-3. The Smokies have only scored eight runs in their last four games and are hitting .171 for the three games this series. A one-hour rain delay did not affect the Saturday night crowd of 5,535 who witnessed the Smokies drop their second straight against Huntsville (11-8, 51-36). The loss now has the Smokies leading the Carolina Mudcats by three games in the second half.
Villalon (3-1) was charged with his first loss of the season as he went six innings while allowing five hits and three runs. Huntsville starter Ben Hendrickson (4-1) allowed four hits and struck out four in six shutout innings.
The Stars managed their first run in the sixth inning when Corey Hart drove in Alejandro Machado, who reached on a leadoff double. Huntsville added three in the seventh when Noochie Varner led off with a triple and scored on a Daryl Clark single. Ryan Gripp hit for Hendrickson and launched a two run home run off of Josh Axelson to make the score 4-0.
The Smokies were able to pick up a run in the seventh when Corey Erickson scored on an Al Benjamin pinch-hit double. Caonabe Cosme singled and Bucky Jacobsen doubled with one out in the eighth, but both were stranded to keep the score at 4-1.
A two-run home run by Papo Bolivar in the ninth innings accounted for the final scoring. Matt Parker regrouped after allowing the Bolivar home run to earn his fifth save.
The Smokies will host Huntsville for the series finale in a 5:00 Sunday game at Smokies Park. Juan Pena (3-3, 3.47) will start for the Smokies against Mike Adams (3-4, 3.53) of the Stars.
Southern League Stories from July 12, 2003
- Former BayBear Alvarez leads Barons over Mobile - Mobile BayBears
- Smokies Pitchers Strike Out 16 In Loss - Knoxville Smokies
- Mudcats Topple G-Braves - Mississippi Braves
- Suns, Rays rained out Saturday - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Rays - Suns Washed Away - Orlando Rays
- Barons Outduel BayBears, 2-1 - Birmingham Barons
- Stars and Smokies Split a Pair - Huntsville Stars
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