Freitas Homers, but Smokies Fall, 5-2
SEVIERVILLE - 1B David Freitas clobbered a solo home run, scored a pair of runs and reached base three times on Sunday, but Jacksonville emerged victorious, as the Suns defeated the Tennessee Smokies, 5-2, in front of 3,768 fans at Smokies Stadium.
With the loss, Tennessee drops to 21-33 in the second half and 49-75 in total. Jacksonville's victory puts them back over .500 for the season's second leg at 28-27, as well as 58-67 for the entire year.
Smokies' RHP Zach Hedges (4.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) entered the contest on a 19-inning scoreless streak, but the Suns would put that to rest two batters into the ballgame. CF Kenny Wilson (2-4, 2 R, 2 2B, SO) led off the contest with a double down the left-field line and LF Austin Dean (2-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI, SO) followed with a RBI single into left-center to put Jacksonville ahead, 1-0.
Tennessee would answer back in the second. Leading off the frame, Freitas (2-3, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB) hammered an offering from LHP Dillon Peters (5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 2 SO) into the second level of seats at the Calhoun's at the Yard Pavilion. The titanic shot - Freitas' fifth home run of the season and third with the Smokies - evened the game up at one apiece.
Jacksonville regained the lead for good in the top of the fourth. On a 1-0 pitch, 3B Brian Anderson (2-4, R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI) drove a ball into deep-right center. The ball appeared to stay in play for a triple, but after the umpires gathered, the call was overruled and deemed a home run. The solo shot - the former Arkansas Razorbacks' eighth of the season and second of the series - put the Suns back in front, 2-1.
1B Chris Curley (1-3, R, 2B, BB, 2 SO) ripped the very next pitch into left-center for a double. After moving to third on a passed ball, he came across to score on a single to right-center by 2B James Roberts (1-4, RBI, 2 SO), stretching the Suns lead to 3-1.
The Smokies pulled back to within one in the fourth. Following a walk to Freitas, RF Lane Adams (1-3, 2B, BB) doubled to put men at second and third. LF Kelly Dugan (0-3, RBI, BB) then brought home Freitas with a RBI ground out to second, making it a 3-2 contest.
Two more runs would cross the plate in the fifth. With one out, Wilson and Dean slashed back-to-back doubles to increase the advantage to 4-2 Suns. Hedges would depart after a walk to RF Alex Glenn (0-2, 2 BB), as RHP Juan Paniagua (1.2 IP, H, 3 SO) emerged from the bullpen. The first batter he faced - Anderson - roped a ringing double down the line in left - scoring Dean - to put Jacksonville up, 5-2.
Tennessee rallied to put the tying runs aboard and bring the winning run to the plate in the ninth, but could not complete the comeback. Freitas started the inning with a single before Adams and Dugan each drew free passes to load the bases. RHP Tayron Guerrero (1.0 IP, SO) then entered and shut the door. Pinch-hitter Ben Carhart (0-1, SO) struck out before CF Trey Martin (0-3, BB) and 3B Jason Vosler (0-3) each flew out to center to end the ballgame.
Peters (5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 2 SO) earned his third straight victory in just his third Southern League start. The former Texas Longhorn surrendered only two runs in five innings of work. Hedges (4.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) surrendered five runs (four earned) on seven hits, suffering his second loss since joining the Smokies. Guerrero (1.0 IP, SO) recorded the final three outs for his third save since joining the Miami Marlins organization in a trade from the San Diego Padres.
Tennessee starts a five-day, six-game road trip tomorrow night against the Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. RHP Tyler Skulina (4-11, 5.46 ERA) is scheduled to take the ball for the Smokies, while RHP Tyler Herb (2-2, 3.73 ERA) is slated to make the start for the Generals.
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 start from The Ballpark at Jackson. 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 road trip, the Smokies return home on Saturday, August 27, to take on the Birmingham Barons, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, at 7:05 p.m. for the final homestand of the 2016 season. That night's affair will be All That and 90's Night at the ballpark featuring special between-inning contests, music and videoboard graphics. Following the final out, there will be one final postgame fireworks show in partnership with Alzheimer's Tennessee.
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
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.