Wahoos Top Smokies In Slugfest, 10-7
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Tennessee erupted for four runs in the game's opening frame, but Pensacola would not be deterred. The Blue Wahoos struck for three runs in the third and fourth and scratched across four more in the seventh to take the lead and defeat the Smokies, 10-7, on Sunday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
With the loss, Tennessee drops to 19-29 in the second half and 47-71 overall. Pensacola's victory gives them five straight triumphs and a 25-24 mark in the season's second leg and 66-53 mark in total.
Tied at six in the seventh, Pensacola was able to erupt with four runs to grab the lead for good. 3B Taylor Sparks (1-4, R, RBI, SO) started the rally with a single to center and moved to third on a base-hit by 1B Eric Jagielo (1-4, R, BB, SO). C Kyle Skipworth (0-5, RBI) was able to break the tie with out getting a hit. The former big leaguer hit a soft grounder to second and was thrown out at first. However, Sparks scored from third to give the Wahoos a 7-6 lead.
Pensacola would continue the attack, as pinch-hitter Ronald Bueno (1-1, R) followed with an infield single to second and CF Jeff Gelalich (3-5, 3 R, 2B, 2 3B, 2 RBI) roped a ball in to the left-center field gap. The ball caromed off the wall, bringing both runners home. The former UCLA Bruin stopped at third with a triple to extend the Wahoos advantage to 9-6. Pensacola added one more run in the frame as Gelalich scored on a fielding error to make it a 10-6 ballgame.
This came after Tennessee jolted ahead with four runs in the first to take an early lead. Following a walk to CF Trey Martin (1-4, R, 2B, BB, SO) and a single by 2B Ian Happ (1-4, 2 R, BB, SO), C Victor Caratini (3-4, R, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, BB) launched a shot the bounced off the fence in deep right-center. Both men crosse the plate easily, as the 22-year-old stopped at third with a two-run triple to put the Smokies ahead, 2-0.
1B David Freitas (1-5, R, 2B, RBI) continued the rally by spanking a double over the left fielder's head. Caratini came home on the two-bagger to put Tennessee up, 3-0. After a wild pitch moved Freitas to third, 3B Jason Vosler (0-2, RBI, BB) followed with a sacrifice fly to left, putting the Smokies in front, 4-0.
Pensacola managed to get back in the contest and grab the lead with three runs in the third and fourth innings.
After the leadoff man was retired, Gelalich jump started the attack in the third with a ground-rule double over the fence in left-center. 2B Alex Blandino (2-3, 2 R, RBI, BB) and RF Sebastian Elizalde (2-5, R, 2 RBI) responded with back-to-back singles to center to trim the Wahoos deficit to 4-1.
Following a wild pitch and a walk to LF Brandon Dixon (2-3, R, 2B, RBI, BB), SS Zach Vincej (3-5, 2B, 2 RBI) stroked an infield single to short to score Blandino, pulling Pensacola to within 4-2. The Blue Wahoos added one more tally in the frame, making it a 4-3 contest, on a sacrifice fly to right by Sparks.
In the fourth, Pensacola jumped ahead. Gelalich roped a one-out triple to right and came home on a RBI single to right by Blandino to tie the game at four. Following a fly out, Dixon put the Wahoos ahead. The former Arizona Wildcat ripped a run-scoring, two-bagger to center, giving Pensacola its first lead of the day, 5-4. Vincej would complete the scoring in the frame and stretch the lead to two, 6-4, on a RBI knock to left.
Tennessee managed to even the tide with a pair of runs in the sixth. SS Carlos Penalver (1-4, RBI) brought home RF Lane Adams (1-4, R) - who reached on a bunt single - on a run-producing ground out to short, trimming the Blue Wahoos lead to 6-5. The Smokies tied one batter later, as pinch-hitter Chesny Young (1-1, RBI) banged a RBI single to right.
The Smokies would add one more run in the top of the ninth, as Happ walked, while Caratini doubled him home to make it a 10-7 game.
Neither starter factored into the decision, as both pitchers were hit hard. Smokies' RHP Brad Markey (2.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB) struggled with his control, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks over 2.2 innings. His counter part - Pensacola's RHP Nick Travieso (5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, SO) - surrendered four runs on six hits in five frames of work.
RHP Jacob Ehret (1.0 IP, SO) tossed a scoreless seventh inning to garner his second win of the season for the Blue Wahoos. RHP David Berg (1.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER) issued four runs on six hits in 1.1 innings of work, suffering his fourth loss at the Double-A level.
Caratini (3-4, R, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, BB) led the way for the Smokies' offense, reaching base four times and driving in three runs. The former second-round pick also extended his on-base streak to 18 games and fell a home run shy of the cycle with his three-hit performance on Sunday night. The 1-through-5 hitters in Pensacola's lineup - Gelalich (3-5, 3 R, 2B, 2 3B, 2 RBI), Blandino (2-3, 2 R, RBI, BB), Elizalde (2-5, R, 2 RBI), Dixon (2-3, R, 2B, RBI, BB) and Vincej (3-5, 2B, 2 RBI) - all collected multi-hit performances and accumulated 12 of the team's 15 hits.
The Smokies will look to finish the road trip on a winning note during Monday evening's series finale. RHP Zach Hedges (2-1, 1.80 ERA) and his 14-inning scoreless streak is anticpated to get the start for the Smokies. RHP Tyler Mahle (5-2, 3.54 ERA) - who had his start cut short due to rain in the series opener on Thursday - is projected to grab the ball for Pensacola.
The Pilot Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 7:15 p.m. ET, leading up to the 7:30 p.m. ET start from Blue Wahoos Stadium. Monday night's contest can be heard on Sports Radio WNML 99.1 FM and 990 AM, as well as SmokiesBaseball.com or via the TuneIn Radio or MiLB First Pitch apps.
Following the five-game road trip, the Smokies will return home to take on the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, on Wednesday, August 17. That night's affair will be a Smoky Mountain Popcorn All-You-Can-Eat Wednesday. For less than $25 dollars a person, fans can enjoy all-you-can-eat hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, baked beans, potato chips, ice cream sandwiches and Pepsi products. That night's matchup is schedule to get underway at 7:05 p.m.
The Tennessee Smokies Charity of Choice for the 2016 season is Alzheimer's Tennessee. Alzheimer's Tennessee's mission is to serve those facing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, to promote brain health through education, and to champion global prevention and treatment efforts. For more information on how to join the Tennessee Smokies in helping Alzheimer's Tennessee achieve their mission, please visit http://www.alztennessee.org/smokies/.
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
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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.