Monthly Archives: September 2011

The Tennessee Smokies were unable to overcome a five-run deficit and fell to the Mobile BayBears 6-4 on Sunday night at Smokies Park. With the win, Mobile won the Southern League Championship 3-games-to-1. The Smokies ended 2011 with an 83-57 regular season record, and a 4-3 playoff record.

The Smokies jumped ahead in the opening frame, as Jae-Hoon Ha ripped a solo homer over the left field wall to make it 1-0.

Mobile answered quickly as Matt Davidson walked to lead off the next half inning for Mobile, and three batters later, Josh Ford went homered to left for a two-run shot to give the BayBears a 2-1 advantage.

BayBears starter, and Arizona Diamondbacks first round draft pick (3rd overall), Trevor Bauer (1-1) settled in tossing five innings, allowing just the one run on three hits while striking out seven.

After scoreless frames in the third and fourth, Smokies’ starter Trey McNutt got into a jam in the fifth. Mobile put runners at first and second before the right-hander gave way to Kevin Rhoderick, who eventually killed the threat by striking out Ryan Wheeler to end the inning. McNutt received the no-decision after allowing two runs on two hits in 4.1 innings of work.

In the seventh, the Smokies began to show signs of life. Junior Lake walked and Jonathan Mota singed with one out, putting runners at the corners for pinch-hitter Nelson Perez. The left-hander singled to right to score Lake, and after Jim Adduci reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second, Jae-Hoon Ha came through with a two-run double to cut the margin to 6-4.

Tennessee, however, was not able to muster any more offense off Even Marshall, who came in and got the final four outs and secured the championship for Mobile.

The Smokies would like to thank their fans, sponsors and media partners for their support during this record-breaking season. Tennessee won their third straight North Division championship, and saw numerous coaches, players and staff members earn awards for their accomplishments.

Tennessee will open the 2012 season in Chattanooga with a five-game series against the Lookouts, beginning on Thursday, April 5 at AT&T Field. The team’s 2011 home opener at Smokies Park will be on Tuesday, April 10 against the Jackson Generals.

Brooks Raley photo courtesy Roger C. Hoover

The Tennessee Smokies dropped Game Two of the SLCS on Thursday night by a score of 1-0 in extra innings. Ollie Linton broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the 11th when he singled home Ryan Wheeler with two outs to win the game for Mobile. The win gives the BayBears a 2-0 series lead and put the Smokies in a must win situation in Game Three on Saturday night.

Rafael Dolis took the loss for the Smokies, giving up the winning run in the eleventh inning after pitching 1 2/3 innings, while Kevin Munson earned the win for Mobile after pitching two scoreless innings in extras. In Game Three on Saturday evening LHP Tyler Skaggs (0-0, 1.29) will take the hill for Mobile, while RHP Ryan Searle (0-0, 18.00) will start for the home town Smokies. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. but you can join us on the Pilot/Oscar Mayer Pregame Show at 7:00 p.m. for starting lineups and everything Smokies Baseball!

Botom 1st Adduci Catch

Bottom 4th Lalli DP

Bottom 9th DP

Bottom 10th DP

Game Winning Run

Marco Carrillo photo courtesy Roger C. Hoover

The Tennessee Smokies dropped Game One of the best-of-five series 6-3 on Wednesday evening to the BayBears down in Mobile, Alabama. Patrick Corbin earned the win for Mobile, giving up three runs in six innings, while Marco Carrillo took the loss for the Smokies after giving up five runs in only 2 2/3 innings.

Tennessee started off well when they took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Jae-Hoon Ha blasted a solo home run. The score would remain 1-0 until the bottom of the third when Mobile put up a five spot. A.J. Pollock singled with the bases loaded to score two and take a 2-1 lead for the BayBears. Mobile added three runs in the very next at-bat when Ryan Wheeler smacked a three-run homer to center to go up 5-1. Marc Krauss hit a solo shot in the fourth to add to the BayBear lead and make it a 6-1 ballgame. Ty Wright answered with a two-run homer in the fifth to make it a 6-3 score but that was as close as the Smokies would get.

The BayBear bullpen pitched three shutout innings to finish off Tennessee, with Evan Marshall shutting the door in the ninth to pick up his first save of the postseason. The Smokies will look to even up the series on Thursday night down at Hank Aaron Stadium. Join us at 7:45 p.m. on the Pilot/Oscar Mayer Pregame Show for starting lineups and everything Smokies Baseball!

Jae-Hoon HA HR 1-0

AJ Pollock 2 RBI 2-1

Ryan Wheeler HR 5-1

Ty Wright HR 6-3

Brooks Raley will get the start in Game 2 of the SLCS. Photo courtesy Roger C. Hoover

The Tennessee Smokies will begin a five game series against the Mobile BayBears on Wednesday evening in their quest to become the 2011 Southern League Champions. Tennessee has found themselves in the SLCS for the third season in a row but were unable to take home the Billy Hitchcock Trophy in their last two attempts. The Smokies will face the BayBears down at Hank Aaron Stadium for Games One and Two, then after an off day on Friday, Sept. 16, they will return the Smokies Park to finish off the series. Tennessee will host Game 3, and if necessary Games 4 & 5, at Smokies Park beginning on Saturday, September 17. An updated schedule, as well as pitching matchups and promotions are as follow:

Game Schedule:
Game 1: Wednesday, Sept. 14 @ Hank Aaron Stadium – 8:05 p.m. EST
Game 2: Thursday, Sept. 15 @ Hank Aaron Stadium – 8:05 p.m. EST
Game 3: Saturday, Sept. 17 @ Smokies Park – 7:15 p.m. EST
Game 4: Sunday, Sept. 18 @ Smokies Park – 5:00 p.m. EST
Game 5: Monday, Sept. 19 @ Smokies Park – 7:15 p.m. EST
 
 
Probable Pitching Matchups: (Stats reflect playoffs only)
 
Game 1: RHP Marco Carrillo (0-0, 0.00) @ LHP Patrick Corbin (0-1, 30.37)
Game 2: LHP Brooks Raley (0-0, 12.27) @ RHP Jarrod Parker (1-0, 3.00)
Game 3: LHP Tyler Skaggs (0-0, 1.29) @ RHP Ryan Searle (0-0, 18.00)
Game 4: TBD @ RHP Trey McNutt (1-0, 3.60)
Game 5: TBD @ TBD
 
Smokies Park Promotions:
 
Saturday’s Game 3 will begin at 7:15 p.m.  We will open the gates at 3:30 and play the UT/Florida game on the video board.  We will also be having post game fireworks following Saturday’s game.
 
SLCS on the Radio:
 
Game 1: Wednesday – The Sports Animal (AM 990)
Game 2: Thursday – The Sports Animal (AM 990)
Game 3: Saturday – Internet Only (www.smokiesbaseball.com)
Game 4: Sunday – The Sports Animal (AM 990)
Game 5: Monday – The Sports Animal (AM 990)

Game tickets for Games 3, 4 & 5 of the Southern League Championship Series at Smokies Park are now on sale, and can be purchased online at http://www.smokiesbaseball.com or by calling (865) 286-2300.

Mick Gillispie with GM Brian Cox after the big win on Saturday

The Tennessee Smokies clinched their third consecutive Southern League North Division Championship with a 7-2 victory over the Chattanooga Lookouts in Game Three of the North Division Championship Series at AT&T Field on Saturday night.

The victory completes a sweep of the Lookouts, and the victory gives Tennessee its third consecutive berth in the Southern League Championship Series, which will begin later this week.

Smokies starting pitcher Trey McNutt (1-0) earned the victory after a solid performance where he allowed two runs on seven hits, walked two batters and also struck out a pair. McNutt was the only starting pitcher to earn a win in the series.

The Smokies offense was paced by Rebel Ridling, who drove in four early runs to help Tennessee out to a big lead. Ridling’s two-run triple in the top of the first gave Tennessee a 2-0 lead before Josh Vitters added a sacrifice fly to give McNutt a 3-0 advantage going into the bottom of the first. Alfredo Silverio led off the inning with a solo homer, however McNutt would settle down and strike out the next three batters.

After a scoreless second, Tennessee added a pair of runs in the third inning to lead 5-1. Once again Ridling did damage at the plate for the Smokies in the fourth, hitting a two-run single to put the Smokies up 7-1. Chattanooga scored its final run in the bottom of the fourth against McNutt, and the bullpen wouldn’t allow any more runs, thanks in part to stellar defense by centerfielder Jae-Hoon Ha.

Ha turned a double play to end the bottom of the sixth as he made a running catch on a fly ball by Travis Denker then doubled up Jake Lemmerman at first to end the inning. He also made another highlight reel grab to end the bottom of the eighth, stealing a base hit away from Brian Cavazos-Galvez.

In the ninth, Rafael Dolis got the final two outs when Griff Erickson hit into a double play to complete Tennessee’s sweep.

The Smokies will play the winner of the South Division Championship Series (either Mobile or Birmingham) in the 2011 Southern League Championship Series later this week. Fans can stay up-to-date on the latest SLCS information later this week by visiting smokiesbaseball.com for the schedule and also ticket information for the final three games of the series to be played at Smokies Park.

Jae-Hoon Ha’s Catch

Rebel Ridling’s Triple to score Two

Final Out to Sweep the Lookouts in SLDN

Lockroom Comments After the Big Win

Jim Adduci photo courtesy Roger C. Hoover

The Tennessee Smokies dropped the Chattanooga Lookouts for the second night in a row by a score of 10-4 to take a 2-0 lead in the North Division Championship Series. Oswaldo Martinez took the win for the Smokies, while Chris Withrow took the loss for the Lookouts after giving up six runs in just 1 2/3 innings.

Chattanooga captured a four run lead in the first top innings as Griff Erikson and Chris Withrow hit back to back homers in the top of the second inning. Tennessee put up a six spot in the bottom of the second when Rebel Ridling led off the inning with a solo home run. The Smokies added on three runs in the inning with a Blake Lalli bases clearing 3-RBI double to give Tennessee a 6-4 advantage. The Smokies added an insurance run in the fifth inning when Josh Vitters singled home Jae-Hoon Ha and added three more runs in the seventh and eighth inning to take a 10-4 lead and never look back.

The win puts the Smokies ahead 2-0 in the five game series and they can sweep with a win on Saturday night to advance to the Southern League Championship Series. Game Three will take place down in Chattanooga at AT&T Field, with the first pitch set for 7:15 p.m. Game Three will be an internet only broadcast but you can join us on the Pilot/Oscar Mayer Pregame Show at 7:00 p.m. for starting lineups and everything Smokies Baseball!

Josh Vitters photo courtesy Roger C. Hoover

The Tennessee Smokies opened up the 2011 Southern League Playoffs with a 9-6 comeback victory over the Chattanooga Lookouts on Thursday night at Smokies Park. Hung-Wen Chen earned the win for Tennessee, allowing no runs in 1 1/3 IP, while Stephen Fife took the loss for the Lookouts after allowing seven runs in only 3 2/3 IP. The win for the Smokies gives them a 1-0 lead in the five game series over Chattanooga.

The Lookouts came out and took an early lead over Tennessee when Travis Denker smacked a two-run homer in the second after Blake Lalli singled home Jim Adduci in the first to give Chattanooga a 2-1 lead. Scott Van Slyke would hit a two-run home run of his own in the third and Hector Ginemez hit a solo shot in the next at-bat to give the Lookouts a 5-1 lead after three innings.

The big inning for Tennessee came in the bottom of the fourth when they took the lead for good. Josh Vitters hit a two-run homer to cut the lead in half and Jonathan Mota hit a sacrifice fly with Steve Clevenger on third to make it a 5-4 lead for Chattanooga. Jim Adduci then doubled home Hung-Wen Chen to tie the game up and Jae-Hoon Ha singled home Adduci in the next at-bat to give the Smokies a 6-5 advantage. Blake Lalli capped off the inning with another two-run homer to give Tennessee an 8-5 lead.

Tennessee added one run to their lead in the seventh when Jonathan Mota hit a sacrifice fly to score Clevenger from third and make it a 9-5 ballgame. Chattanooga tried to answer but could only get one run in the ninth. Alfredo Silverio grounded out with the bases loaded to score a run but 9-6 was as close as the Lookouts would get.

Game Two of  the five game series of this North Division Championship Series takes place Friday night from Smokies Park at 7:15 p.m. Join us on our internet only broadcast Friday evening, beginning at 7:00 p.m., for starting lineups and everything Smokies Baseball!

Josh Vitters photo courtesy Roger C. Hoover

The Tennessee Smokies ended the 2011 regular season with a two game split in a double header against the Birmingham Barons on Sunday afternoon. Tennessee was down in game one of the doubleheader 5-1, causing them to finish second the the North Division second half and crowning the Chattanooga Lookouts as the winners of the second half division race. Marco Carillo took the loss, giving up three runs in four innings in the seven inning affair to start the day. Charles Shirek took the win for the Barons, giving up only one run in six innings pitched.

The Smokies bounced back in game two on Sunday, taking down the Barons 5-1 to finish off the regular season. Josh Vitters blasted a three-run homer in the top of the first to get the Smokies ahead for good. Tennessee added two more runs in the third when Blake Lalli singled home Junior Lake from second base and Vitters hit a sacrifce fly to earn hims fourth RBI of the ballgame. Newcomer Daniel Berlind got the win for Tennessee while Justin Edwards took the loss for Birmingham.

The split lands Tennessee with a 83-57 overall record for the 2011 season. The Smokies will be back in action on Thursday to open up the playoffs against the Chattanooga Lookouts. Games one and two will begin at 7:15 on Thursday and Friday at Smokies Park, then they will travel to Chattanooga to finish the series. It will be a best of five series with the winner advancing to the championship series in the Southern League. Coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. with the Pilot/Oscar Mayer Pregame Show with starting lineups and everything Smokies Baseball!

The Tennessee Smokies were shut out on Saturday night down at Regions Park in Hoover, Alabama by a score of 5-0. Trey McNutt took the loss for the Smokies, lasting only four innings and giving up four earned runs. Charles Leesman took the win for the Barons after tossing seven innings of shutout baseball. With the loss, Tennessee drops to two games behind the Lookouts in the North Division with only two games to play.

The Barons scored three runs to start the game in the bottom of the first inning. Seth Loman singled home Jose Martinez to get the first run and Adlen Carrithers singled home Jon Gilmore to make it 2-0. McNutt would then walk Kenny Williams to walk home a run and make it a 3-0 ballgame. Birmingham added another run in the third when Williams singled home Josh Phegley and scored their final run of the game in the fifth when Kevin Rhoderick walked home Loman with with bases loaded to give the Barons a 5-0 advantage.

Due to potential bad weather in the Hoover, Alabama area on Monday the Smokies will play their final two games of the regular season in a double header on Sunday. Game One is set for 3:00 p.m. EST and the second game will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. Both games will be seven inning games.

Junior Lake photo courtesy Roger C. Hoover

The Tennessee Smokies defeated the Birmingham Barons by a score of 3-2 at Regions Park on Friday night. With the win they keep pace with the Lookouts and remain one game back of the North Division lead. Jeff Beliveau got the win for Tennessee after tossing 1 2/3 innings of shutout baseball, while Johnnie Lowe took the loss for the Barons after giving up the final run in three innings on the mound.

In the top of the fourth inning the Smokies took the lead with a two run spot when Steve Clevenger came up with the bases loaded and singled home Ty Wright and Rebel Ridling to take a 2-0 lead. Birmingham got a run back in the bottom of the inning when Josh Phegley grounded out to third to bring home Christian Marrero from third and make it a 2-1 ballgame. After two scoreless innings the Barons tied the game up in the seventh when Tyler Kuhn singled home Alden Carrithers from third base.

The ballgame remained tied until the top of the ninth and Junior Lake led off the inning with a triple to right field. Nate Samson came up and singled on the next at bat to bring Lake home and give the Smokies a 3-2 advantage. Rafael Dolis took the mound in the bottom of the ninth and closed the door on Birmingham. Dolis allowed one run in the ninth but did not give up any runs to earn his seventeen save of the season and get the win for Tennessee.

The Smokies will look to take two in a row for the Barons and keep pace with the Lookouts on Saturday evening when game three from Regions Park takes place at 7:30 p.m. Join us on the Pilot/Oscar Mayer Pregame Show at 7:15 p.m. for starting lineups and everything Smokies Baseball!