SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Starting Pitching Unable to Carry Smokies in Sweep

Published on May 29, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. - Through the first six innings in each of Friday night's games between the Tennessee Smokies and Huntsville Stars, Smokies pitching allowed a total of one run. The Tennessee bullpen though ran out of gas in both affairs as Huntsville (27-20) rallied in Game 1 for a 4-2 win and outlasted the Smokies (21-28) in Game 2, 3-0, in front of 4,004 at Smokies Park.

Both of Tennessee's starters, Jay Jackson and Jeremy Papelbon, had nothing to be ashamed with their respective starts. Jackson dominated again in Game 1, flirting with a no-hitter into the top of the sixth. He would allow one run on two hits in the contest, with three walks and one strikeout.

The potential no-hitter Jackson had going brought back memories for many at Smokies Park of the last time the feat was accomplished by one Mark Holliman, who just so happened to be Jackson's counterpart for Huntsville in Game 1, Mark Holliman. Holliman (2-2), who would pick up the win in Game 1, did well in his first visit back to Smokies Park since being acquired by the Milwaukee Brewers in the Rule 5 Draft. He went six innings, allowing two runs on 10 hits and walking one.

Jackson would give way to teammate Brian Schlitter (0-3) in the sixth, who would put away Huntsville in the frame for the last out. Huntsville got to the Tennessee saves leader though in the seventh for three runs, giving him the loss. Huntsville's Robert Hinton (S, 4) picked up the save.

Papelbon, who was activated earlier in the day from the DL, threw four scoreless innings in Game 2, allowing four hits and striking out one. Alex Maestri and Marco Carrillo combined to throw 3.1 scoreless innings themselves, helping to keep Tennessee even with Huntsville and the score at zero.

Once again though, Huntsville would finally get to the Smokies bullpen. Back-to-back home runs by Drew Anderson and Freddy Parejo off Smokies reliever Jake Muyco (0-1) would be all the runs they would need and give Stars' reliever Juan Sandoval (2-1) the win.

Tennessee's offense was unable to capitalize on the team's stellar pitching performances Friday night, going 3-18 with runners in scoring position. A total of 20 runners were left on base.

Tennessee and Huntsville wrap up their five-night, eight-game series Saturday night at Smokies Park at 6:15 p.m. Casey Lambert will close out the series for Tennessee, with David Welch getting the nod for Huntsville. Tickets can be purchased at www.smokiesbaseball.com or at (865) 286-2300.

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Southern League Stories from May 29, 2009


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