Tennessee Topples BayBears, Keeps Share of First
August 29, 2009 - Southern League (SL1)
Mobile BayBears News Release
KODAK, Tenn. - On a night when the Tennessee Smokies grabbed four runs in the first inning, the BayBears battled but fell for the second straight contest, 7-5, on Saturday night at Smokies Park.
Tennessee (66-66, 34-28) took advantage of an error by starting pitcher Tom Layne (0-3) who dropped a toss from Bryan Byrne allowing Starlin Castro to reach to begin the first. Castro stole second and took third on a base hit by Ty Wright. After Blake Lalli was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Tyler Colvin unloaded them with a three-run double to left-center. The next hitter, Marquez Smith, singled home Colvin to make it 4-0.
Another error brought home another tally for the Smokies in the second as Castro and James Adduci both reached with two-out singles, setting up Wright. Wright hit a bouncer that Ricardo Sosa picked up cleanly but tossed wildly towards second to bring home Castro.
Evan Frey popped his first home run of the season to lead off the third against Jeremy Papelbon (6-5), putting the BayBears (62-70, 25-37) on the board. Tennessee received that run back in the third after an errant throw by Pedro Ciriaco on a potential double play ball.
In the fifth, the BayBears startled the Smokies with a Chris Rahl home run and a two-run double by Sosa to close the deficit to two. Cody Evans contributed out of the BayBears' bullpen with a pair of scoreless frames before Leyson Septimo uncorked a home run to Colvin, giving the Smokies a 7-4 advantage.
Once again, the BayBears refused to quit without a fight as Sosa doubled to start the eighth against Dustin Sasser. Byrne's single put men on the corners with no outs while Cyle Hankerd drove home Sosa on a sac fly.
Orlando Mercado kept the rally viral with a single up the middle, but Rahl bounced into a fielder's choice for the second out of the frame. Pete Clifford came on as a pinch-hitter and walked which brought Brian Schlitter (S, 21) into the game, and he forced Frey to fly out, ending the threat. Schlitter then posted a scoreless ninth to nail down the victory.
The Mobile BayBears have sent 100 players to the major leagues. They'll play game three of their five-game set with the Smokies on Sunday evening at 4:05 central time with Wes Roemer (8-8, 4.13) getting the start. The BayBears return to Mobile for their final homestand on Thursday, September 3 as they host the Montgomery Biscuits at 7:05 p.m. For Hank Aaron Stadium tickets, call (251) 479-BEAR or log on to www.mobilebaybears.com.
Southern League Stories from August 29, 2009
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- Poor Showing by M-Braves - Mississippi Braves
- Tennessee Topples BayBears, Keeps Share of First - Mobile BayBears
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- Colvin delivers once again for Smokies Saturday night - Knoxville Smokies
- Barons Walk Off With Win Over Stars - Huntsville Stars
- Jaxx stay tied atop North Division with thrashing of Braves - Jackson Generals
- Montgomery defeats Carolina - Carolina Mudcats
- Woody Promoted, Rumler Returns - Mobile BayBears
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