SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Smokies win opener over Bay Bears, 8-2

Published on July 27, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


MOBILE, Ala.-The Tennessee Smokies (14-17) spread out their offensive attack and used quality pitching from Jeremy Papelbon to win 8-2 in the series opener against the Mobile Bay Bears (15-16) at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Monday.

Papelbon earned the win after throwing four and a third innings pitched, as he improves to 3-4 in 2009. Papelbon only allowed three Mobile hits and he struck out three batters as he gets his first win since June 20.

David Patton pitched two and two thirds innings in his second rehab start while on the Chicago Cubs disabled list. The Cubs hurler gave up three hits and two unearned runs with a strikeout.

The Smokies got on the board first, as Tony Thomas hit his first home run since May 18 to give Tennessee a 2-0 second inning lead.

Defensive mistakes cost Patton in the bottom of the third. After Chris Rahl reached on an error by first baseman Blake Lalli, Pedro Ciriaco drove in the first Mobile run with his single on a play that also featured a throwing error by Lalli.

Ciriaco scored to tie the game as Bryan Byrne hit a double on a play where centerfielder Jim Adduci and right fielder Tyler Colvin both missed the ball in the lights. Following the double, Papelbon took over for Patton and retired Ricardo Sosa to end the inning.

Lalli made up for his errors in the top of the fourth, driving in Doug Deeds on an RBI single to give the Smokies a 3-2 lead. Jim Adduci added to the lead in the top of the fifth with his RBI fielder's choice that scored Mark Reed to make it 4-2. Deeds hit his fifth homer of the season in the sixth to make it a three-run game at 5-2.

The Smokies added three runs in the top of the ninth, highlighted by Mark Reed's two-RBI double. Brian Schlitter worked a perfect ninth to end the game.

Tennessee and Mobile will play the second game of the series tomorrow at Hank Aaron Stadium. Andrew Cashner (0-1) will pitch for Tennessee, facing Mobile's Cody Evans (4-10) with the first pitch at 8:05 eastern time.

Check out the Knoxville Smokies Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Southern League Stories from July 27, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central