Smokies Pull Away Late to Top Stars in Game One

Published on May 17, 2010 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


The Tennessee Smokies (23-14) got a solo home run to break the tie and two-run homer along with a grand slam to put things away late as they topped the Huntsville Stars (18-19) by a final score of 9-2 in game one of Monday's double header.

Former first round draft pick Mark Rogers, coming off his best outing of the year, struggled out of the gate. He walked Tony Campana, which was quickly followed by a double to deep right that put runners on 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. Ty Wright continued his hot hitting with a single to left that drove in Campana. A sacrifice fly from Blake Lalli gave the Smokies the early 2-0 lead.

The Stars are not known for the long ball, but they showed they can hit them when necessary Monday against Smokies' starter Craig Muschko. Caleb Gindl hit his third blast of the year in the bottom of the first to cut the deficit in half. That matched Zelous Wheeler for the team lead.

Not to be outdone, Chris Errecart followed that up with a homer of his own in the bottom of the second inning to tie the game.

But after that it was all Smokies as they scored 7-unanswered runs to take the commanding 9-2 advantage. It all started in the top of the 5th as Josh Vitters slugged a line-drive over the left field wall for a solo home run.

Donovan Hand entered the game in the top of the 6th and got the first two hitters he faced out. But after Wright legged out an infield single, Blake Lalli hit his second homer of the series and of the year to put Tennessee up 5-2.

Jim Henderson struggled in the top of the seventh. Two straight singles started the inning. A sacrifice bunt put runners on 2nd and 3rd. Henderson intentionally walked the next batter and was able to strike out Marwin Gonzalez. But Wright continued his big night with a grand slam off the left field scoreboard.

Rogers (2-3) got hit with the loss after pitching 5.0 innings, giving up three runs on four hits, including a homerun.

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Southern League Stories from May 17, 2010


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