July 2, 2009

SEVIERVILLE – The Tennessee Smokies were unable to capitalize on an early 2-0 lead Thursday night against Huntsville, falling 4-3 to the Stars at Smokies Park in front of 3,510 fans. Thursday’s loss, which saw the Smokies once again fail to produce in the clutch by going 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position, puts the Smokies at 5-6 in the season’s second half, 37-44 on the year.

Tennessee got on the board first with two runs in the third off Huntsville reliever Mike McClendon, who replaced starter Josh Butler after one pitch thrown in the bottom of the third. Tennessee’s Mark Reed came around to score on a Jim Adduci groundout to give the Smokies a 1-0 lead. Marquez Smith then doubled to bring home Adduci to make it 2-0 Smokies.

After Huntsville rebounded with runs in the fourth and sixth innings to tie the game at two, the Smokies would counter with a run of their own in the bottom of the sixth to retake the lead. Doug Deeds scored from second on an errant throw by Stars 3B Michael Garciaparra to first base in an attempt to get Tyler Colvin out.

Garciaparra would redeem himself in the top of the seventh. His two-run double off Smokies reliever Alex Maestri (BS, 1) scored teammates Kevin Melillo and Vinny Rottino, and put Huntsville back on top, 4-3. The runs were charged to Todd Blackford, who would fall to 1-3 on the year with the loss.

Tennessee starter Jay Jackson pitched well in his four-inning start Thursday, allowing only one run on four hits. He would strike out five on the night and walk one.

Huntsville’s Juan Sandoval (3-2) picked up the win, allowing one run on two hits in two innings of work. Teammate Robert Wooten (S, 2) struck out the final two Smokies batters to get the save.