Smokies Rally, Lose Heartbreaker, 5-4
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Trailing 4-1, Tennessee rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game and force extra innings. However, Montgomery battled back and for the third time in four games, the Biscuits walked-off, this time on a run-scoring fielder's choice to defeat the Smokies' 5-4 in ten innings on Thursday night at Riverwalk Stadium.
With the loss, Tennessee has now lost a season-worst four straight and now sit at 15-19 on the year. The victory gives Montgomery a 20-13 overall record.
Tied at four, the Biscuits were able to walk-off without the benefit of a base-hit. RF Jake Bauers (0-3, R, 2 BB, 2 SO) started the tenth inning with a walk and after a strikeout 3B Kean Wong (2-4, BB, SO) and 1B Casey Gillaspie (1-3, RBI, BB, SO) received free passes, as well.
With the bases loaded and one out, LF Granden Goetzman (0-5, RBI, 2 SO) - who delivered the game-winning knock in the ninth on Monday - hit a high chopper towards short. SS Carlos Penalver leaped to snag the ball, but had no play. Bauers scored on the RBI fielder's choice to give the Biscuits a 5-4 win.
This came after Tennessee battled valiantly in the ninth to even the score and send it to extra frames. With closer RHP Brad Schreiber (1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER) on and the Biscuits ahead 4-1, DH Billy McKinney (1-4, R, BB, SO) ignited the rally with a single to center. After a catcher's interference allowed 1B Kelly Dugan (0-4, R, 2 SO) to reach, C David Freitas (1-4, R, 2B, RBI) sliced a liner into left. McKinney scurried home, while Dugan halted at third on the run-scoring double that trimmed the Smokies' deficit to 4-2.
Things got quirky from there. RF Bijan Rademacher (2-4, 2B, RBI, SO) proceeded to loft a lazy fly ball towards the foul line in left. Goetzman camped under it, but could not squeeze the ball in his mitt. Dugan scored to pull the Smokies within a run, while Freitas was only able to advance to third on the left-handed slugger's double.
Tennessee would tie the game up with the very next batter. With runners at second and third and still nobody out, 2B Ryan Dent (0-4, RBI) slapped a ground ball to short. The veteran was thrown out at first, but Freitas crossed the plate to knot the contest up at four.
The Smokies had two more opportunities to grab the lead with a runner at second and one out, but could not do it. Schreiber got back-to-back fly outs to right to quell the attack.
The long ball played a big role early in the game. In the first, the Biscuits jumped out to an early 3-0 lead on the strength of back-to-back home runs by CF Johnny Field (2-5, R, HR, RBI) - his fourth of the season - and DH Jake Hager (1-4, R, HR, RBI, BB) - his second - as well as a sacrifice fly by Gillaspie. Tennessee scored its first tally of the contest in the fifth on a solo blast to center by LF Mark Zagunis (1-3, R, HR, RBI, 2 BB, SO), his second big fly of 2016.
Neither starter factored into the final decision on Thursday. Tennessee's RHP Tyler Skulina (5.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) allowed four runs over five innings and a stretch where he retired ten straight batters. RHP Ryne Stanek (6.0 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) yielded just one run over six innings for Montgomery's fourth straight quality start against the Smokies.
RHP Jared Mortensen (1.0 IP, BB, SO) earned his fourth win of the year in relief for the Biscuits. RHP Josh Conway (0.1 IP, R, ER, 3 BB, SO) suffered his fourth loss of the season for the Smokies.
Rademacher (2-4, 2B, RBI, SO) led the Smokies' offense with a pair of knocks, including a RBI double. Field (2-5, R, HR, RBI) and Wong (2-4, BB, SO, 2 SB) each collected two knocks for the Biscuits.
Tennessee will look to salvage the final game of this five-game series on Friday night. RHP Brad Markey (4-0, 2.64 ERA) is projected to toe the slab for the Smokies. LHP Chris Kirsch (2-0, 2.67 ERA) is scheduled to get the start for Montgomery.
The Pilot Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 7:50 p.m. ET, leading up to the 8:05 p.m. ET first pitch from Riverwalk Stadium. Friday night's broadcast can be heard exclusively online at SmokiesBaseball.com or via the TuneIn Radio or MiLB First Pitch apps.
After the road trip, the Smokies will return home to America's Frendliest Ballpark to square off against the Birmingham Barons, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, on Saturday, May 14 at 7:05 p.m. ET. The Force will be strong that evening for Star Wars Night featuring special Han Solo-themed uniforms that will be auctioned off to benefit the United Way of Greater Knoxville and Sevier County. There will also be a special light saber giveaway to the first 1,000 fans through the gates, also courtesy of the United Way. Finally, like all Saturday evening games, there will be a stellar fireworks show following the game sponsored by Alzheimer's Tennessee.
Single-game tickets, as well as multi-voucher and season ticket packages are still available, and can be purchased online at smokiesbaseball.com, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300
ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES
The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the ten-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America's national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com.