Smokies Ride Coleman's Arm to 5-2 Win Sunday
Published on June 7, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. - On a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Smokies Park, Casey Coleman and the Tennessee Smokies treated the home crowd to a third-straight post-game rendition of "Go Cubs Go" by beating the Chattanooga Lookouts, 5-2. The win, in front of 3,056 fans, is the third in a row for the Smokies (24-34) and clinched the five-game series with the Lookouts (23-34).
The Smokies didn't wait very long to get on the scoreboard, as Darwin Barney's groundout scored Tony Thomas in the bottom of the first to put Tennessee up 1-0. But the Lookouts came roaring back in the second inning to take a 2-1 lead on the heels of a two-run home run from Eduardo Perez. The towering shot would be the only mistake on an otherwise sterling performance Coleman, as the Lookouts were unable to dent the plate again.
Blake Lalli's solo home run in the bottom of the fourth off Lookouts starter Josh Lindblom (3-4) would start a string of four consecutive innings where the Smokies plated a run. In the fifth, Barney brought in another run for Tennessee with a two-out RBI single to score Thomas and give the Smokies a 3-2 lead. Marquez Smith's leadoff double in the sixth would result in him scoring on a wild pitch from Lookouts reliever Francisco Felix. And it was Barney again in the seventh, driving in Ty Wright with a RBI double to give the Smokies the 5-2 lead.
Coleman gave way to reliever Marco Carrillo with two outs and Lookouts occupying the corners. Carrillo was able to eventually work his way out of a bases-loaded jam, striking out Chattanooga's James Tomlin to end the frame. Teammates Jayson Ruhlman and Brian Schlitter (S, 8) pitched the final 1.2 innings of the contest to preserve the win.
Coleman (5-2) picked up his fifth win of the year, throwing 6.2 innings and allowing only the two runs. He also gave up four hits and three walks, but did strike out two.
The Smokies and Lookouts continue their five-game series Monday night at 7:15 p.m. at Smokies Park. Jesus Castillo (1-5, 5.04) will get the start for Chattanooga, with Jay Jackson (3-3, 3.35) scheduled to come of the DL and throw for Tennessee. Tickets can be purchased at www.smokiesbaseball.com or by calling (865) 286-2300.
Southern League Stories from June 7, 2009
- Rahl's Double in 9th Snaps 3-Game Skid - Mobile BayBears
- Diamond Jaxx Split Double-Header with Stars on Sunday - Jackson Generals
- Smokies Ride Coleman's Arm to 5-2 Win Sunday - Knoxville Smokies
- Huntsville Homers Way to Twin Bill Split - Huntsville Stars
- Jacksonville Suns Transactions - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Wood's First Complete Game Leads to MudCats Win - Carolina Mudcats
- Biscuits Squeeze Out Victory - Montgomery Biscuits
- Mudcats Blank Suns on Sunday - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Wahpepan Rejoins Stars - Huntsville Stars
- Morrison Added from DL - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
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