Smokies take series over BayBears with 7-3 win
Published on June 22, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
Sevierville, TN - The Tennessee Smokies improved to 4-2 for the second half of the season and took a six-game series from the Mobile BayBears with a 7-3 win at Smokies Park today. An exuberant crowd of 3,999 looked on as the Smokies reclaimed the lead in the sixth inning and never looked back.
After an uneventful first three innings of the game, the BayBears struck first blood in the top of the fourth off Smokies starter Donnie Veal. Two consecutive hits, a double and an RBI single, off Veal gave the BayBears a slim 1-0 lead. The Smokies struck back with two runs in the bottom of the fourth however, as catcher Welington Castillo crushed a two RBI single to left field to bring in Nate Spears and Kyle Reynolds to give Tennessee a 2-1 lead.
Mobile touched up Veal for two more runs in the top of the fifth inning to reclaim the lead. Cyle Hankerd tripled to start off the inning, and then later scored. The BayBears pushed another run across to take a 3-2 lead in the fifth. Veal was pulled out of the game for pinch hitter Doug Deeds, who smashed the first pitch he saw over the right field fence to tie the game at 3-3.
Tennessee took the lead for good in the sixth, with Matt Matulia leading the charge with an inning beginning single off BayBears starter Adam Howard (6-5). After moving over to third on a sacrifice bunt by Castillo, newly acquired third baseman Josh Lansford brought him home with a double off the left center field wall, his second of the night. The Smokies increased their lead when Sam Fuld hit an apparent inning ending grounder, but the ball was misplayed by Yunesky Sanchez to score a run, and Tennessee claimed a 5-3 advantage.
The Smokies scored two more runs in the bottom of the eighth for a little insurance, and the four run lead would hold up as the final score. Dumas Garcia (2-0) claimed the win tonight in relief of Veal, who went five innings of six hit work, giving up three runs although only one was earned. Jose Ceda worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings to notch his first save as a Tennessee Smokie. The Smokies will have a day off on Monday, and then head to face the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx for a six-game set on Tuesday June 24th. Tennessee will return home for a four-game series against the Huntsville Stars beginning on Monday June 30th through Thursday July 3rd. Game time on June 30th is set for 7:15 pm.
Southern League Stories from June 22, 2008
- Gamel Gets Going Again in Stars Win - Huntsville Stars
- Smokies take series over BayBears with 7-3 win - Knoxville Smokies
- Gartrell Powers Barons to 12-4 Win - Birmingham Barons
- Biscuits remain winless at home during the day - Montgomery Biscuits
- Gartrell Slams Barons Past Suns on Sunday - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Lookouts Win Series Finale, 10-1 - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Stars Transaction - Huntsville Stars
- Biscuits receive David Price - Montgomery Biscuits
- Montgomery Biscuits Roster Transaction - Montgomery Biscuits
- Biscuits fall just short in 11 innings, lose 9-8 - Montgomery Biscuits
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