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SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Suns Beat Smokies with Walk-Off Homer

July 17, 2009 - Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


Jacksonville, Fla. - Kevin Randel hit a two-run walk-off homer off of Smokies reliever Brian Schlitter (0-5) to give the Jacksonville Suns (13-10) a 5-4 victory over the Tennessee Smokies (11-12) in front of 7,571 fans at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville on Friday night.

A Doug Deeds solo home run in the top of the ninth gave Tennessee a 4-3 lead, but a walk to Lee Mitchell and then the Randel homer gave Jacksonville enough to earn their first win of the series over Tennessee. Despite giving up the Deeds homer, Jacksonville reliever Matt Peterson earned the victory for the Suns.

Tennessee's Hung-Wen Chen (5-7) paced the Smokies on the mound, pitching six innings, only allowing two hits, and no runs on the night. This is only the second time this season Chen has not allowed a run, the first coming on May 22 against Birmingham.

The Smokies scored two runs in the fourth inning to take an early lead. Blake Lalli hit a double that brought in Doug Deeds, and a batter later Nate Samson drove in Lalli to make it 2-0.

Tennessee added another in the top of the sixth, as Lalli collected his third hit on a double that scored Marquez Smith. Lalli finished his night 3-3 with 2 RBI's and two doubles.

The Suns nearly got on the board as soon as Chen left the game. Smokies reliever Casey Lambert allowed the bases to be loaded with no one out, yet struck out the next three batters to get out of the jam.

However Lambert ran into more trouble in the bottom of the eighth, as he allowed a two-RBI double to Logan Morrison to cut the Smokies lead to 3-2. Muyco entered in relief for Tennessee, and after a passed ball allowed Morrison to advance to third, Mike Stanton hit a sacrifice fly that brought in Morrison to tie the game at three before the teams traded runs in the ninth.

Tennessee and Jacksonville will face off for the fourth game of the series on Saturday night at 7:05, as the Smokies look to earn the series victory. Tennessee's Jay Jackson (4-4) will oppose Suns southpaw Sean West (4-2).

Tennessee returns to Smokies Park on July 21 for five games against the Mississippi Braves. The series will span July 21-25, highlighted by Dale Murphy Night on July 23. Tennessee is the AA-affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Mississippi is that of the Atlanta Braves. Tickets can be purchased by calling 286-2300 or by visiting www.smokiesbaseball.com.

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Southern League Stories from July 17, 2009


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