The Tennessee Smokies lost a heartbreaker tonight in Game 2 of the Southern League Championship Series, 1-0 in 11 innings to the Mobile Bay Bears (Diamondbacks).
This was a game of missed opportunities for the Smokies as their pitching couldn't have been better. But the Smokies had runners in scoring position in the first, second, eighth and tenth innings and failed to cash in each time. The first inning was especially frustrating as Jim Adduci lead off with a single and stole second, but when the throw went into center field, Adduci tried to advance to third base where he was thrown out. One batter later, Blake Lalli doubled.
In the eighth inning, the Smokies got another double from Lalli with two outs, and pinch-runner David Macias advanced to third on a wild pitch. But Macias was stranded when Rebel Ridling grounded out.
The Smokies pitching and defense was so strong, that through ten innings the BayBears sent the minimum thirty batters to the plate. They were helped out by four double plays and a pick-off play at first. Starter Brooks Raley pitched six innings and allowed but one hit. He didn't walk anyone and struck out five. But Raley was matched by Diamondbacks top prospect Jarrod Parker, who was strong for six innings after pitching out of trouble in the first and second innings.
Raley was relieved by Jeff Stevens, who threw a scoreless inning and Jeff Beliveau, who threw two scoreless innings.
Rafael Dolis came out to pitch the tenth inning and allowed a leadoff single but picked that runner off of first base. Then after an infield error, Dolis induced a 6-4-3 double play. But then he allowed a leadoff single in the eleventh inning. After a strikeout and a pop up, Dolis allowed two straight two-out singles to allow the winning run.
The Smokies had six hits tonight. First baseman Lalli was 2 for 4 with two doubles.
The Smokies are off tomorrow as the two teams travel back to Eastern Tennessee for Game 3 of the best-of-five series. Ryan Searle is scheduled to take the mound against BayBears pitcher Tyler Scaggs.
0 recs | 9 comments
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In more bad news from the Cubs farm system, Rock Shoulders has discovered In-N-Out.
Josh Timmers - September 16, 2011
So much for all of that weight loss.
Though I can’t say I wouldn’t do that same
Say Ramrod - September 16, 2011
I'm an idiot, that was meant as a reply for Josh...
Say Ramrod - September 16, 2011
Looks like the Bears got the short end of the stick for this game
One out per inning, no wonder it was such a low scoring game!
bdlugz - September 16, 2011
Minimum 30 batters
I’ll correct it.
Josh Timmers - September 16, 2011
Smokies 3rd Straight SLCS Defeat Coming?
Well, minor league championships don’t matter that much, but I don’t know want the Smokies to lose in the Southern League Championship Series for the third year in a row. Of course, the fans up around Kodak are a lot more concerned with how the Vols are going to do with the Gators on Saturday than they are with how the Smokies can come back in this series. The last Cubs AA affiliate to win the Southern League championship was the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx in 2000.
FWIW, it’s impressive that the Smokies have won the SL North three seasons in a row. You have to take into account the tremendous turnover in the roster over that time. On the major league level, would it be that awful if the Cubs lost 3 World Series in a row?
memphiscub - September 16, 2011
Yes.
TheTruth11 - September 16, 2011 via iPhone app
Admittedly, I Would Be Disappointed
However, I could at least experience seeing the Cubs on TV in a World Series 3 seasons in a row. I know jokes would reign down about how the Cubs couldn’t WIN a World Series. I’d rather hear that than about how the Cubs can’t even get to the Series.
The Indians lost 2 World Series in 1995 and 1997. That was disappointing for Cleveland, but the franchise did gain a lot of respectability with those pennant runs. Those fans must get a bit tired of hearing about 1948. That’s not as bad as not winning a World Series since (well, you know). Anyway, I’d like the Smokies to win three in a row and take the Southern League. Defying all odds, I’d like to see the Cubs win the World Series in 2012.
memphiscub - September 16, 2011
The Red Sox went through this.
They didn’t make the WS from 1919-1945, then made it several times (1946, 1967, 1986) without winning. That’s rough, but I’d have taken a couple of WS appearances in my lifetime. At least that 66-year span since 1945 wouldn’t be on the Cubs’ back then.
Al Yellon - September 16, 2011
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