Smokies Power Past Barons in 12-4 Win
Published on May 15, 2016 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
SEVIERVILLE - After suffering a blowout loss to the Barons on Saturday night, the Smokies returned the favor Sunday afternoon as they topped Birmingham by a count of 12-4. Eight different Smokies recorded a hit in the win as C Victor Caratini led the way going 3-5 at the dish to go along with two RBI and two runs.
With their win, the Smokies record improves to 17-20 while the Barons dropped to 16-21 on the year.
It did not take long at all for the scoring to get going for either club on Sunday. The Barons jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first courtesy of a triple from 1B Nicky Delmonico (1-4, 2 RBI, SO) that allowed SS Marcus Lemon (1-3, R, BB, SO) and DH Jake Peter (1-3, R, BB) to score.
The Smokies answered the Barons' push in the home half of the inning to take the lead. 2B Chesny Young (1-4, RBI, R) was hit by a pitch to lead off then stole second with CF Jacob Hannemann (1-4, 3 R, 2 BB, SO) at the dish. Young then scurried to third after a wild pitch by LHP Jordan Guerrero then followed that up giving Hannemann a free pass. Hannemann was successful in stealing second and both he and Young were driven home thanks to a double from LF Mark Zagunis (2-3, 2 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB).
3B Jeimer Candelario (2-4, 2 R, BB, SO) followed up the Zagunis two-base knock with a double of his own which moved Zagunis to third. Caratini (3-5, 2 RBI, 2 R, SO) then drove home Zagunis to give the Smokies a 3-2 lead after one inning.
The Barons countered back to tie the contest up at 3-3 in the top of the second with two outs. CF Keenyn Walker (0-3, R, BB, SO) was walked then stole second before 2B Joey DeMichele (2-5, RBI, SO) drove him home with a single to right.
While they were held scoreless in the second, the Smokies' offense exploded for nine runs combined between the third and sixth innings.
Candelario led off the third frame with a double then advanced to third after RF Billy McKinney (2-5, RBI, R) shot a single to left. Caratini hit a single of his own in the next at-bat that drove home Candelario and moved McKinney to scoring position. DH Kelly Dugan (2-2, 2 RBI, 2 BB) sent a shot off the center field wall for a double that scored both Caratini and McKinney to push the Smokies ahead 6-3.
The Smokies added three more runs to their name in the bottom of the fourth. RHP James Dykstra came in to relieve Guerrero (3.0 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, BB, SO) and immediately pitched his way into a jam. Dykstra (1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB) began by walking Hannemann and surrendering a single to Zagunis. He then walked Candelario before giving up a single to McKinney which scored Hannemann. Caratini followed that up by hitting into a double play but allowed Zagunis to cross the plate. SS Carlos Penalver (1-3, RBI, BB) then drove in Candelario with a single pushing the Smokies' lead to 9-3.
The Smokies made it an 11-3 ballgame in the fifth with RHP Brock Huntzinger (2.0 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, SO) on the mound for the Barons. Huntzinger threw a wild pitch with Zagunis on second and Hannemann on third and both managed to score after C Chris O'Dowd (0-4, 2 SO) was charged with a throwing error on his throw to third base.
The 12th and final run for Tennessee came in the home half of the sixth when the bases were loaded with one out thanks to Young sending a sacrifice fly to center field scoring Caratini.
Tennessee gave the mound to RHP Juan Paniagua (3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 3 SO) in the fourth and the 26-year-old was fantastic on the mound on his way to his second win of 2016. RHP David Berg (2.0 IP, ER, SO) then took over for the Smokies before RHP Corey Black made an appearance to begin the ninth in which he retired the side and ended the contest with a strikeout.
Smokies' starter RHP Duane Underwood Jr. (3.0 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 4 SO) didn't factor into the decision on Sunday afternoon while the Barons' starter, Guerrero, fell to 0-1 on the year.
The Barons' fourth run crossed the plate in the eighth. RF Courtney Hawkins (1-3, R, BB, 2 SO) began the inning with a double then with one out, LF Nick Basto (0-4, RBI) drove home Hawkins to make it a 12-4 Tennessee advantage.
The Smokies and Barons will do it all again tomorrow in game three of the five-game series with the first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. ET. The Smokies will give the ball to RHP Paul Blackburn (3-1, 1.02 ERA) while the Barons will turn to RHP Carson Fulmer (3-3, 5.45 ERA).
The Pilot Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 6:50 p.m. ET, leading up to the 7:05 p.m. ET first pitch from Smokies Stadium. Monday night's broadcast can be heard on exclusively online at SmokiesBaseball.com or via the TuneIn Radio or MiLB First Pitch apps. The game can also be watched online via MiLB.tv
Monday's contest will be a McGhee Tyson Airport Dollar Monday. Fans will be able to purchase hot dogs, popcorn, small Pepsi products and programs for only one dollar.
Single-game tickets, as well as multi-voucher and season ticket packages are still available, and can be purchased online at smokiesbaseball.com, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300.
Southern League Stories from May 15, 2016
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- Wahoos Fall Short in Matinee Game - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Mazza steps up in Suns' 4-2 win over Biscuits - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Smokies Power Past Barons in 12-4 Win - Knoxville Smokies
- Biscuits Fall to Smokies in Series Finale - Montgomery Biscuits
- Barons Beaten 12-4 as Smokies Strike Back - Birmingham Barons
- Lookouts Win Pitchers' Duel on Sunday Afternoon at AT&T Field - Biloxi Shuckers
- Gelalich Promoted from Daytona - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Jarlin Garcia Called up from Suns to Miami Marlins - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Anthony Giansanti released by Cubs - Knoxville Smokies
- Generals Edge Mobile in Opener Saturday - Jackson Generals
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