Ha, Smokies take down BayBears Monday night, 5-3

By Adam Kline / Smokies Radio Network

KODAK, Tenn. – For the second consecutive night, Jae-Hoon Ha led the Tennessee Smokies’ offense past the Mobile BayBears.  Ha’s three-run home run in the first inning led the Smokies to a 5-3 win over the BayBears (27-37, 67-67) in front of 3,286 at Smokies Park.  With the win, the Smokies improve to 32-32 in the second half and 67-67 overall.

The Smokies drew first blood off BayBears starter Michael Bolsinger plating three runs in the first inning.  Matt Szczur led off the frame with a single and Logan Watkins reached on a bunt single to put two runners on for Ha, who hit the second pitch he saw over the left field fence to give Tennessee the early 3-0 lead.

Tennessee added two more runs in the second.  Chad Noble and Dae-Eun Rhee led off the inning with walks and Noble advanced to third on Szczur’s fly out to put runners at the corners.  A wild pitch by Bolsinger allowed Noble to score and on the next pitch Watkins singled to center to advance Rhee to third, but a wild throw by center fielder Evan Frey allowed Rhee to score and give Tennessee a 5-0 advantage.

The BayBears cut into the Tennessee lead in the third when Matt Mangini hit a two-run single to narrow Mobile’s deficit to 5-2.

Smokies starter Dae-Eun Rhee exited the game after five innings allowing two runs, one earned, on eight hits and striking out six.  Zac Rosscup pitched a perfect sixth inning and Casey Weathers came in for the Smokies in the seventh.  Weathers walked four of the six batters he faced to score a run.  With the bases loaded, Tony Zych got David Nick to fly out and end the BayBears’ threat.

Zych and Brian Schlitter (S, 5) combined to finish the game for the Smokies, setting down the BayBears offense in
order.

Tennessee and Mobile will play the series finale and wrap up the Smokies’ 2012 regular season home schedule on Tuesday night at 7:15 at Smokies Park.  Southpaw Austin Kirk (1-0, 4.22) will start for the Smokies and righty Bradin Hagens will make his Double-A debut for Mobile.  For tickets and more information visit http://www.smokiesbaseball.com or call (865) 286-2300.

GAME NOTES: Jae-Hoon Ha (2-for-4) recorded multiple hits in six of his last eight games…Ha, Junior Lake (2-for-4) and Rubi Silva (1-for-4) extended their hitting streaks to five games each.

LISTEN TO GAME HIGHLIGHTS: August 27, 2012 BayBears 3 Smokies 5