Smokies face elimination after second straight loss
Save Email Print
Posted: 9:56 PM Sep 16, 2009
Smokies face elimination after second straight loss
A pitchers’ duel went the way of the Jacksonville Suns in Game Two of the Southern League Championship Series
Font Size:

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A pitchers’ duel went the way of the Jacksonville Suns in Game Two of the Southern League Championship Series, winning 2-1 over the Tennessee Smokies at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville on Wednesday night.

With the win, the Suns are take a two-game advantage in the best of five series, and can clinch the Southern League Championship with one more victory.

Graham Taylor earned the win by pitching six innings while only allowing one run on five hits, and he also struck out five Smokies.

Jeremy Papelbon proved to be a tough opponent for Taylor and the Suns, as he didn’t allow a run through the first five innings.

The Suns finally cracked Papelbon in the sixth inning. Logan Morrison’s single drove in the first run of the game with Mike Stanton following with an RBI double to make it 2-0.

Tennessee quickly countered with a run in the top of the seventh, as a double-play ball hit into by Robinson Chirinos scored Tyler Colvin.

After blowing a save last night, Jacksonville closer Matt Peterson redeemed himself by pitching a scoreless ninth to earn the save and preserve the 2-1 Suns win.

The teams will bus north to Tennessee on Thursday, with Game Three at Smokies Park on Friday night. First pitch is at 7:15 with Casey Coleman pitching for Tennessee against Jacksonville’s Brad Stone.