Tennessee Smokies Wrap -- September 11

by Josh Timmers on Sep 11, 2009 10:15 PM CDT in Minor Leagues

The Smokies tied up their best-of-five series at a game apiece as they eclipsed the Huntsville Stars, 3-1.

The Smokies won on some dominating pitching tonight, led by starting and winning pitcher Casey Coleman. Coleman went 7.2 innings tonight and allowed only one run on four hits. He actually had a two-hitter going with two out in the eighth, but he then allowed a single and a double to put the tying run on second. He was removed for closer Brian Schlitter, who got out of the inning on a fly out and then pitched the ninth to pick up the save.

For the record, Coleman went 7.2 innings and allowed the one run on four hits. He didn't walk anyone and only struck out one. He left the game having tossed only 77 pitches, so he was very effective pitching to contact.

Schlitter threw 1.1 innings for the save. He walked one batter in the ninth, but was otherwise untouched. He did not strike out anyone.

The Smokies scored two runs in the top of the first inning, which was all their pitchers would need. First baseman Blake Lalli singled home center fielder James Adduci, who had doubled earlier. Then third baseman Marquez Smith scored on a passed ball after having earlier reached on an error.

The Smokies scored and insurance run in the sixth inning when Adduci scored on a Starlin Castro sac fly.

Adduci was the hitting star of the game, going 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.

The Smokies return home tomorrow for Game 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary) of the series.

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Comments

I just want to say that

Ryne Sanberg has taken the Chiefs to the Midwest League championship game in 2008 and the 2009 Smokies to the playoffs. I think it goes without saying that he is beginning to develop a “winner” pedigree. I’m sure this reflects the talent in the lower minors for the Cubs, but I think it says a lot about Ryno as a manager. He’s won everywhere he’s managed to this point.

Here’s to Ryno hopefully coaching the big league club in 2011

by magicblue on Sep 12, 2009 12:10 AM CDT reply actions

Correction

Sandberg did not take the Chiefs to the Midwest League Championship game in 2008. The Chiefs were pretty bad in both halves of 2008. He took the Chiefs to a three-way tie for first in the second half of the 2007 season, but the Chiefs were eliminated from the playoffs on tiebreakers.

This is actually the first time Sandberg has managed in the post-season. It’s tough to evaluate minor league managers on their win/loss records because winning is secondary in the minors to player development.

I wasn’t all that impressed with Sandberg as a manager in Peoria. He did OK, but I think even Ryno admitted he had a lot to learn. I think he was better dealing with the aftermath of the Dayton brawl last year (which occurred when he was at Cooperstown) getting control of the team.

I’ve been more impressed with him this season. The Smokies don’t have a great team, but he’s managed the pitching staff well, although I’d be curious to know how much of that is the highly-respected Dennis Lewallyn. (On the other hand, listening to your pitching coach is a sign of a great manager.) The other thing is that I’m seeing a lot of improvement on the part of the Smokies players (especially Tyler Colvin, but also Hung-Wen Chen) as the season went on. And that’s really what you want to see out of your minor league teams.

So I’d say this has been Ryno’s best season in the minors. But again, it’s really difficult to judge the performance of a minor league manager from the outside, because winning and losing isn’t the most important thing.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 12, 2009 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions