Tennessee Smokies Wrap: Game 2

by Josh Timmers on Sep 10, 2010 10:37 PM CDT in Minor Leagues

Chris Carpenter mows them down. Courtesy of Roger C. Hoover and www.smokiesonradio.com

The Tennessee Smokies used four home runs to rout the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, 11-1.

Chris Carpenter picked up the win tonight with an impressive start. He went six innings and allowed only one unearned run on four hits. Carpenter walked three and struck out eight--including the only Diamond Jaxx runner to score, who reached on a strikeout/passed ball in the fifth inning.

Luke Sommer, Esmailin Caridad and Blake Parker shut down West Tennessee the rest of the way.

Center fielder Brett Jackson got the scoring started in the third inning with a solo home run to right field. Jackson was 1 for 4 with a walk tonight.

The Smokies added another run in the fourth inning on a Russ Canzler RBI single. Canzler was a perfect 4 for 4 with a walk in Game Two. He also scored twice.

The Smokies began to pull away in the sixth inning when they put three runs on the board on home runs by catcher Robinson Chirinos and second baseman Tony Thomas. Chirinos led off the inning with a solo home run to left field. Tonight, Chirinos was 3 for 5 with a double and the home run. He scored three times and had two total RBI.

Chirinos's blast was followed by a two-run shot by Thomas later in the inning. Thomas was 3 for 5 with three RBI and two runs scored.

After scoring two runs in the seventh to make the score 7-1, the Smokies finished the rout with a four-run eighth inning, punctuated by first baseman Matt Spencer's three-run blast. Spencer was 2 for 5 and scored twice.

Shortstop Marwin Gonzalez also had an RBI single in the two-run seventh inning. He was 2 for 4 tonight.

With the series tied at a game a piece, the two teams travel to West Tennessee for the only home game of the series for the Diamond Jaxx tomorrow night at 5:05 Central . If you live within driving distance of Jackson, TN, tickets to the game are free. Otherwise, tune into our friends at the Smokies Radio Network. And as always, check out their website for previews and great photographs, which they have generously allowed us to use.

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Very nice comeback win

after losing game one. It’s interesting that the Cubs moved Chirinos and Sommer back to Tenn for the playoffs. Perhaps that’s due to the Iowa crash that occurred partly due to lack of bullpen help caused by the September callups.

If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.

by tharr on Sep 11, 2010 11:33 AM CDT reply actions

It's mostly due

to them wanting them to keep playing. Chirinos wasn’t getting a callup because the Cubs have no need for four catchers and he could probably still use a little work behind the plate. Sommer just gives the Smokies some bullpen depth.

The Cubs are also leaving Esmailin Caridad in Tennessee for rehab. That’s a nice extra option for Bill Dancy to have in his pen.

And yes, had the I-Cubs pitching staff not been decimated, they probably would have made the playoffs. Casey Coleman and Thomas Diamond in the rotation would have made a world of difference. But it is AAA, and I know that both Coleman and Diamond would rather be in Chicago.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 11, 2010 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Apparently, given the amount of playing time Welington Castillo has had with the Cubs...

…. the Cubs don’t have any desire for three catchers, either.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Sep 11, 2010 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Good point

It’s like Dusty and Geo Soto in 2006. Except at least Quade has the excuse that he’s got Soto behind the plate. Dusty just played Henry Blanco over Soto everyday with Michael Barrett out for the year.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 11, 2010 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Right, but...

… on the days Soto is off, Castillo should start. There’s no reason Koyie Hill should play at all any more except in a blowout or a long extra-inning game.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Sep 11, 2010 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree

Castillo should be playing over Hill.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 11, 2010 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Tonight's matchup

Trey McNutt takes on Jarrett Grube.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 11, 2010 1:41 PM CDT reply actions

Big start for McNutt

Looking forward to see what he can do. Do you think Vitters will come back if the Smokies make it into the next round or no chance that he will play another game in a Smokies uni this season?

by Ryno G on Sep 11, 2010 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions

He'll likely be back

in Tennessee to at least start the season. Where he goes by mid-season depends on how he does.

The Cubs seem allergic to sending their top prospects to Iowa.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 11, 2010 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions

I was asking

if he would play any this postseason..nothing about next season

by Ryno G on Sep 11, 2010 6:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Vitters

will not play for the Smokies this season.

Sorry for not reading carefully enough.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 14, 2010 12:58 AM CDT up reply actions

In the ongoing discussion

of who is better, now it’s McNutts turn. I’d love to see McNutt toss a shutdown game. I was disappointed at Archer’s performance in game one. Cub pitchers have been having a poor track record recently when called up to Wrigley. I don’t want Archer and McNutt to be more AAAA pitchers. I’m counting on them to be part of the long term solution to our over dependence on free agents and their contract limitations.

BTW, I am becoming a huge fan of Chirinos. He stepped up in Iowa even though we lost that last game. Now he jumps to Tenn and immediately has an outstanding game. I just wish they’d work him out at 1B over the winter.

If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.

by tharr on Sep 11, 2010 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Good to see you joining the Chirinos bandwagon

It took me a while to get over the whole ten years in the minors thing, but the guy can hit and the reports on his defense are good. He didn’t have the best game last night, but that happens. He’s not going to be a gold glover behind the plate, but he should be good enough.

I’d take him over Castillo right now.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 11, 2010 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Well Chirinos began his career at 17

He seems to have gained his power stroke about the same age as Soto. Hell, he used to be a SS and has played every infield position and even stole 19 bases one year, The last 3 years he’s had as many BB as K. And his BA with RISP is excellent. As I’ve been preaching for the past two months, I’d love to see what Chirinos could do next year as Soto’s back. His background also convinces me he could be an acceptable alternative at 1B. Between Barney and Chirinos, I think we’d be improved over this year’s backups.

If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.

by tharr on Sep 11, 2010 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions