SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Thrilling Smokies Comeback Highlights 10-9 Victory

Published on August 10, 2007 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


Sevierville, TN - A thrilling comeback by the never say die Tennessee Smokies resulted in an exciting 10-9 victory over the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx at Smokies Park tonight. A boisterous crowd of 4,920 jumped to their feet when the winning run scored on a wild pitch to win the game for Tennessee. The key win improved the Smokies to 25-23 on the second half of the season, and kept Tennessee in line for a playoff spot.

At the beginning of the night, the situation did not look good for the Smokies. Starting pitcher Donnie Veal struggled through the first two innings of the game, giving up six runs on seven hits and throwing a total of 59 pitches. Veal never seemed to gain control, and was replaced by reliever Ryan O'Malley, but not before the Smokies were down 6-0.

Tennessee stayed in the game all night long without letting the Diamond Jaxx increase their six run lead. The Smokies plated two runs in the bottom of the second inning, thanks to an RBI single by Robinson Chirinos and a sacrifice fly by Matt Camp. Tennessee closed to within 6-3 in the third on an Alberto Garcia RBI single. The Smokies could have done more damage in the third but left the bases loaded after plating the lone run. Just when Tennessee looked to get back into the game, the Diamond Jaxx came up with the big hit to extend their lead. In the fifth, it was two RBI singles to plate a couple of runs and give West Tennessee an 8-4 advantage. The Smokies found a way to crawl back into the contest however, scoring another run in the bottom of the sixth to pull to within 8-5 of the Diamond Jaxx.

Things got really interesting in the Smokies half of the eighth inning. Down 8-5, the Smokies benefited from back to back home runs by Casey McGehee and Tyler Colvin, his fifth as a Tennessee Smokies outfielder, and the lead was cut to just 8-7.

Within just one run of tying the game, West Tennessee appeared to put the nail in the coffin in the top of the ninth on a solo home run by Prentice Redman to give the Diamond Jaxx a seemingly insurmountable 9-7 lead.

But the Smokies were not going to let this game slip away tonight. With the bases loaded and nobody out in the ninth inning, Jemel Spearman hit an RBI infield single to score Jorge Cortes and pull the Smokies to within one run. Issmael Salas followed with an RBI sacrifice fly to score Nate Spears and tie the game. With Alan Rick on third base and McGehee at the plate, Diamond Jaxx pitcher Mumba Rivera (4-6) threw a wild pitch to the backstop. Rick easily trotted home with the winning run, with the entire Smokies dugout emptying for a celebration at home plate.

Rocky Roquet (4-0) picked up the win for the Smokies despite giving up the home run in the ninth. Colvin was the offensive giant for Tennessee tonight, going 4-5 with his fifth home run of the season and two RBI. McGehee and Spearman both also had multiple hit nights for the Smokies offense.

Game four of this five-game series against the Diamond Jaxx take place on Saturday night at Smokies Park with a 7:15 pm start time. Tennessee will send right-hander Justin Berg (5-7, 5.06) to the hill to face Diamond Jaxx right-hander Joe Woerman (5-6, 4.05). Tennessee Smokies Baseball - It's A Nine Inning Vacation! Call (865) 286-2300 for tickets or purchase tickets on line at www.smokiesbaseball.com.

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Southern League Stories from August 10, 2007


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