Smokies Win Sixth Straight
June 27, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
Sevierville, Tenn. - Tennessee (8-1, 43-36) won its fifth in a row over the Greenville Braves (1-8, 37-40) and its sixth straight overall with a 5-2 victory Friday night in front of 5,581 at Smokies Park.
The Smokies fell behind the Braves in the third inning when a leadoff walk to Bryce Terveen led to an RBI single by James Jurries.
Corey Erickson led off the fifth inning with his twelfth home run of the season and fifth against the G-Braves. The Smokies proceeded to string together four straight two-out singles highlighted by Caonabo Cosme who drove in Nick Stocks and Schumaker with a hit to center field.
The Smokies put the game out of reach in the eighth as Papo Bolivar doubled to score Cosme. Bucky Jacobsen also scored on the play on an errant throw by the Braves' right fielder.
Tennessee had the chance to take an early lead, until an odd play kept the Smokies off the scoreboard. A Skip Schumaker RBI single was erased in the third inning when his line drive hit umpire Ria Cortesio with Kevan Burns running from second. Rule 6.08d states that a batter would be awarded first base when a fair ball touches an umpire in fair territory before reaching a fielder. All runners must also return to their original bases. This kept Burns from scoring from second base after his seventh double of the season.
Nick Stocks (5-4) picked up the win as he went seven innings only allowing three hits and one run. Jeremy Lambert struck out two in a scoreless eighth. Juan Figueroa allowed a solo shot to Jason Fitzgerald in the ninth, but was still able to preserve a 5-2 win. Braves starter Bubba Nelson (6-7) was tagged with his seventh loss of the season.
The Smokies will play Greenville in the second game of the three game series on Saturday night at Smokies Park. Julio Villalon (2-0, 1.35) will make his third start for the Smokies against Greenville's Chuck Smith (1-1, 1.50).
Southern League Stories from June 27, 2003
- Rays Bats Disappear in Rain-Soaked Loss - Orlando Rays
- BayBears fall again in Carolina - Mobile BayBears
- Ball hitting helmet puts game in hand - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Smokies Win Sixth Straight - Knoxville Smokies
- Four BayBears named to SL All-Star Team - Mobile BayBears
- Stars Place Coaching Staff, Seven Players on West All-Star Squad - Huntsville Stars
- Dawkins, Villalon Earn SL Honors - SL1
- Stars to be Well Represented at Southern League All Star Game - Huntsville Stars
- SL Unveils West All-Stars - SL1
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