Spencer's homerun propels Smokies to 5-4 win Friday
Published on July 30, 2010 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
KODAK, Tenn. - For the second consecutive night, the Tennessee Smokies homered their way past the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx. Matt Spencer's seventh inning homerun drove the Smokies to a 5-4 victory over the Diamond Jaxx in front of 5,112 fans at Smokies Park on Friday night. The win puts Tennessee at 62-41 overall, 20-14 in the season's second half.
Both starting pitchers were at the top of their game, not allowing a run through the first two frames. The Smokies jumped on West Tenn and starter Mauricio Robles (6-6) in the third inning. Jonathan Mota and Nate Samson led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Tony Campana then doubled to right-center, scoring Mota from second base. Spencer then reached base after being hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Samson scored on a passed ball, and Campana would score on a Russ Canzler sacrifice fly. Robinson Chirinos ended the Smokies rally by singling up the middle scoring Spencer, giving the Smokies a 4-0 lead.
West Tenn came right back scoring three times in the top of the fourth inning off Smokies starter Jeremy Papelbon, closing the gap to 4-3.
Reliever Jake Muyco would enter the game in the fifth inning and held the Diamond Jaxx hitless for two innings. The Diamond Jaxx would tack on a run in the seventh inning. Leury Bonilla walked to start the inning, and would score on a Matt Lawson single tying the game at four.
Tennessee came right back in the bottom of the frame on Spencer's two-out solo homerun giving the Smokies all the breathing room they needed for the 5-4 victory.
Papelbon struck out four, allowing three runs on six hits in four innings pitched. The Smokies' bullpen kept the Diamond Jaxx close all game. Muyco (4-2) would get the victory going three innings allowing only one run on one hit, while striking out two. Luke Sommer and Marcos Mateo would close the door for the Smokies tossing a combined two scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out one. Mateo picked up his third save of the season.
Game 4 between the two teams will be Saturday night at 6:15. Tennessee's Chris Archer (4-1, 0.00) will face off against Steven Hensley (7-8, 3.39) for West Tenn. Tickets are available at www.smokiesbaseball.com or by calling (865) 286-2300.
Southern League Stories from July 30, 2010
- Spencer's homerun propels Smokies to 5-4 win Friday - Knoxville Smokies
- Offensive Explosion Leads to 15-4 Barons Rout - Birmingham Barons
- Lack of Clutch Hitting Dooms Biscuits in 5-2 Loss - Montgomery Biscuits
- Late rally for the M-Braves falls one run short in 5-4 loss to Huntsville - Mississippi Braves
- BayBears Bully Biscuits in Third Straight Win - Mobile BayBears
- Suns Take Series Lead with Wild Friday Win - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Suns Hold off Mudcats - Carolina Mudcats
- Matt Lawson extends hit streak to 10 games in 5-4 loss to Tennessee - Jackson Generals
- Jaxx to Host Hardin County Night on August 7th - Jackson Generals
- Parker Rejoins Smokies Friday - Knoxville Smokies
- Chris Cody Named Southern League Pitcher Of The Week - Huntsville Stars
- Suns Battle Barons Beginning Monday - Birmingham Barons
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.
