Alcantara’s walk-off the difference in Smokies’ 3-2 win

By: Adam Kline

KODAK, Tenn. – Arismendy’s walk-off double in the 10th inning gave the Tennessee Smokies a 3-2 win over the Jacksonville Suns Friday night. With the win the Smokies improved to 17-9 in the second half, 51-44 overall. Jacksonville falls to 14-12, 48-45.

With two outs in the 10th inning, Alcantara brought the 6,397 fans at Smokies Park to their feet by ripping a double to right-center off Suns reliever Arquimedes Caminero (3-2) to score Matt Szczur from first base and give the Smokies the 3-2 victory.

Earlier in the game, Smokies starter Dae-Eun Rhee, making his first start since April 14, gave up back-to-back leadoff home runs, giving the Suns an early 2-0 lead in the first inning.

In the Smokies fourth inning, John Andreoli hit his second double of the game, scoring Justin Bour from first base to cut the Suns lead in half, 2-1.

Tennessee tied the game at two in the eighth inning thanks to a Javier Baez solo home run to right field. It was Baez’s fourth home run with the Smokies this season in 11 games.

The Smokies bullpen of Yeiper Castillo, Tony Zych and Zac Rosscup combined to toss 6.1 innings surrendering just two hits while striking out eight. Rosscup (2-0) picked up the win tossing the final two innings for Tennessee.

With two outs in the 10th, Szczur walked and that set the table for Alcantara’s heroics.

The middle game of the five-game series between the Smokies and Suns is Saturday at 6:15 at Smokies Park. Tennessee will send lefty Austin Kirk (1-3, 6.43) to the mound to face off against Suns’ left-hander Justin Nicolino (0-0, -.–), making his Double-A debut.

AUDIO RECAP  SMOKIES  3  Suns  2

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