SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Smokies Sweep Barons With 4-3 Win Thursday Night

Published on August 4, 2011 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


KODAK, Tenn. - A strong pitching performance by the Tennessee Smokies' bullpen propelled them to a series sweep against the Birmingham Barons, 4-3. Kevin Rhoderick was able to get out of a bases loaded, no out jam in the sixth inning to give the Smokies their sixth consecutive victory. The win, in front of 3,082, improves Tennessee to 64-46 overall, and 21-19 in the season's second half.

Birmingham took an early 1-0 lead when Greg Paiml singled to bring in Jake Oester in the second. The Smokies answered with a pair of runs an inning later, as Junior Lake singled to start off the inning and moved to third on a Jim Adduci single. Jae-Hoon Ha, who extended his hitting streak to five games, brought in Lake, and one batter later Adduci scored on a Ty Wright sacrifice fly.

After giving up two runs in the fifth, the Smokies responded quickly. Ha singled with one out, then advanced to second on a throwing error. Three batters later, Josh Vitters drove him in with a single to center, tying the game at three.

Smokies starter Brooks Raley held the Birmingham bats in check over five innings of work, scattering 10 hits and allowing three runs. The left-hander gave way to Kevin Rhoderick after loading the bases with no outs in the sixth, and Rhoderick promptly killed the Barons' threat by retiring the next three batters without surrendering a run.

The Smokies take the lead for good in the sixth as Lake doubled with one out in the bottom half, and stole third with Nate Samson at the plate. Samson then poked a single over the first basemen's head to bring in Lake, putting the Smokies on top 4-3.

Rhoderick (5-0) kept the Barons off the board in the seventh, and picked up the win after not allowing a hit in two innings of work. Jeff Beliveau entered in the eighth, recording his second save of the season after finishing Birmingham off with two scoreless frames. Justin Edwards (3-6) took the loss for the Barons.

Tennessee will now head to Huntsville, Ala. to take on the Huntsville Stars for a five-game set starting Friday night. The Smokies will return to Smokies Park on Wednesday, August 10 for a rematch of the 2010 Southern League Championship series with the Jacksonville Suns. For tickets and more information, fans can visit www.smokiesbaseball.com or by calling (865) 286-2300.

ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES

The Tennessee Smokies are the minor league Class AA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the 10-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America's national pastime in the East Tennessee region for 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com.

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Southern League Stories from August 4, 2011


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