SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Smokies take opener from Lookouts, 3-2

Published on August 17, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. - Blake Lalli continued his march towards the Southern League batting title this year, going 2-3 Monday night to raise his league-leading batting average to .329. More importantly for the Tennessee Smokies, one of the two hits delivered a key two-run double to propel the Smokies to a 3-2 win over the Chattanooga Lookouts in front of 2,353 at Smokies Park. The win pulled the Smokies (26-25) into a second place tie with the Lookouts (26-25), one game back of the division-leading West Tenn Diamond Jaxx.

Lalli began his night with a single to center in the first, moving teammate Jim Adduci to second base. Tyler Colvin would fly out though to end the frame.

In the third, Lalli would once again come to the plate with runners on base. With teammates Adduci and Tony Thomas on second and third, respectively, Lalli lined an Alberto Bastardo pitch down the right field line, scoring two and giving the Smokies a 2-0 lead.

Starter Chris Carpenter matched Lalli's output at the plate with a strong performance on the mound, but could not get his elusive first Double-A win. The Ohio native threw five innings (his longest start of the year), allowing only one run on two hits. He struck out four and walked one.

Heading into the sixth down 2-1, Chattanooga would tie the game on a Lucas May sacrifice fly off reliever Dustin Sasser. While Sasser would get the blown save, he would end up winning the game as the Smokies responded with a run in the bottom of the seventh on a somewhat freak play.

After Starlin Castro reached first on a single, Russ Canzler hit a ground ball to Lookouts SS Justin Sellers. Sellers' momentum carried him towards the bag at second, but he was late in tagging out Castro. Still looking to get at least one out, Sellers threw towards first base but the ball ended up in the Smokies dugout. As a result, Castro was awarded two bases and ended up crossing home to give the Smokies the 3-2 lead.

Alex Maestri and Brian Schlitter make sure the lead would hold up, as they silenced Chattanooga over the final 1.2 innings. Schlitter would pick up his 18th save on the year.

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Southern League Stories from August 17, 2009


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