Tennessee Smokies Wrap: September 14

by Josh Timmers on Sep 14, 2011 10:20 PM CDT in Minor Leagues

For the third straight season, the Smokies have made the Southern League Championship Series. Unfortunately, tonight they gave up five runs with two outs in the third inning and fell to the Mobile Bay Bears (Diamondbacks), 6-3.

Smokies veteran Marco Carrillo, who is playing in his fourth straight season in Tennessee, got the start tonight and got into major trouble after two were out in the third. Although he surrendered a lead-off double, he looked to be getting out of it after he struck out the next two batters. But then he hit the next batter on a ball he bounced up to the plate. After a walk, a two-run single and a three-run home run, the Smokies 1-0 lead had become a 5-1 deficit that they never recovered from. Carrillo's final line was 2.2 innings pitched, allowing five runs on four hits and a walk. Carrillo struck out those two batters.

Oswaldo Martinez relieved Carrillo and while he got out of the third inning with no further damage, in the fourth inning he allowed a rare unearned run on a lead-off home run after catcher Steve Clevenger dropped a foul pop up.

Center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha gave the Smokies an early lead on a solo home run in the top of the first inning. Ha was 2 for 4.

The only other runs the Smokies scored tonight came off of a two-run pinch-hit home run by Ty Wright in the fifth inning.

The Smokies will try to even up the best-of-five series tomorrow night in Mobile at 7:05 Central Time. As always, you can listen to the game with our friends at the Smokies Radio Network.

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Now that the minor league season is almost over

I would just like to say thanks. Seeing what all the young kids are doing this year is about the only exciting thing I’ve had to look forward to all season.

Marilyn Monroe "yogi your a pretty cool guy"
Berra " Marilyn you ain't so hot yourself"!

by Notsnud on Sep 15, 2011 12:55 AM CDT reply actions

As always

You’re welcome. It’s been my pleasure,

by Josh Timmers on Sep 15, 2011 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Josh, how far is Ha from competing in the Big's?

61 games and 283/.320/.403 .722-OPS 6/15 on the SB…he is turning 21 next month.

A friend once told me: "I don't buy the idea that a team learns anything from a loss, the only thing they learn is how to lose games."---Knight

by Ivy Walls on Sep 15, 2011 7:30 AM CDT reply actions

Seems like second half of 2012 would be the earliest

no?

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by Brett Taylor on Sep 15, 2011 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions

Absolute earliest

I would put a 2nd half of 2013 as a more likely ETA.

by RynoRooter on Sep 15, 2011 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree with RR

The guy is still only 20. His SB% is awful (which it shouldn’t be, he can run) and he needs to work on being more selective. He still needs to grow into his body a bit too.

Other than that, I love the guy. I don’t know why a guy who is succeeding at age 20 in Double-A isn’t getting more attention. Great glove, great arm. Above average hit and power tool potential.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 15, 2011 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Is Clevenger a candidate for Cubs in 2012?

I don’t know how good he is defensively…LH hitting is a plus. I’d take a chance on a Castillo/Clevenger tandem next year if can get a good arm for Soto…they have other promising catchers in system including Brenley, no? (I’d rather not see Hill return, alho he is decent insurance).

by QuincyCub on Sep 15, 2011 10:05 AM CDT reply actions

I've thought about this scenario a bit

the biggest issue is that its hard to envision starting a season with two rookie catchers. It’s also not the best time to trade Soto given his down season. But if someone were willing to throw a nice pitching prospect or two our way, I hope we’d listen.

by Bradsbeard on Sep 15, 2011 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions

Brian Harper raves about him

but I don’t know whether he’s being honest or just sticking up for his player. He had a big drop yesterday. But we should get a look at Clevenger as soon as the SL Championship is over. He should get a call up to Chicago.

I wouldn’t want to go with two rookie catchers. Honestly, Soto is a guy I want to keep. But I would have no problem going with Clevenger as Soto’s backup next season. I’ve been a fan of his for years. He might not hit for much power, but he’s a LH hitting catcher who can get on base. Sounds like a great backup to me.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 15, 2011 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions