Tennessee Smokies Wrap: September 18

by Josh Timmers on Sep 18, 2011 10:11 PM CDT in Minor Leagues

The Tennessee Smokies lost to the Mobile BayBears (Diamondbacks), 6-4. This means that the BayBears have won the Southern League Championship, three games to one. It's the third straight season that the Smokies have lost the Southern League Championship in four games.

The Smokies got off to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning when center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha cracked a solo home run. But starting pitcher Trey McNutt gave up a two-run home run in the second inning to surrender the lead. The Smokies would never lead again in this game.

McNutt pitched 4.1 innings and allowed two runs on two hits. He walked four and struck out three.

The real troubles for the Smokies came after McNutt left the game in the sixth inning. Reliever Marcus Hatley entered the game to start the inning and promptly allowed a solo home run. After giving up a walk and a single to the next two hitters, Hatley exited the game for Jeff Stevens. Stevens allowed a single to BayBear John Ford that right fielder Jim Adduci misplayed. Two runs scored on the play and Ford ended up on third base. After a sacrifice fly, the score was 6-1 and the Smokies were in a hole they could not escape.

The Smokies did put up a rally in the seventh inning. Pinch-hitter Nelson Perez singled home Jonathan Mota and two batters later, Ha came to bat and doubled home two to make the score 6-4. But Blake Lalli flied out to end the seventh and the Smokies failed to score the rest of the game.

Center fielder Ha was 3 for 5 with a double and a home run. He had those three RBI. Right fielder Adduci was 2 for 5 and scored once. He also stole two bases.

This is the end of the minor league season for the Cubs farm system. I want to thank all of you for reading all summer and sharing your experiences at minor league parks across the country. I want to thank everyone who commented in the threads and encourage more of you to chip in next season. I'll be back later in the week to let you all vote for the BCB Minor League Player and Pitcher of the year.

Just like the Cubs and Smokies, I can't wait until next year.

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Comments

Of note

The winning pitcher for Mobile was Trevor Bauer, the Diamondbacks #1 draft pick (#3 overall) out of UCLA this past June.

by azjazzman on Sep 18, 2011 11:42 PM CDT reply actions

Yes he was

Bauer had some control problems early in this game as he walked one and had two wild pitches in the first two innings.Jonathan Mota bailed him out by swinging at 3-0 pitch with a man on third and one out and popping it up in the second inning. After that he settled down and was the predictably awesome pitcher that I expect him to be.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 19, 2011 1:11 AM CDT up reply actions

Bauer

had, in fact, gotten lit up in his previous two outings. He gave up 10 runs in an inning and 2/3rds, and then 7 runs in 3 innings on 9/11. The feeling was that Trevor had hit the wall in terms of innings pitched in 2011.

Serious thought had been given to shutting him down for the year. Nice to see the kid have a bounce back outing in the League Championship clincher. The D’Backs still have one pitcher to add to the AFL roster, but I suspect they will think long and hard as to whether to give Bauer the extra work load.

BTW. Jeff Beliveau will be on the taxi squad for the Mesa Solar Sox, meaning he can pitch on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

by azjazzman on Sep 19, 2011 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Actually

Beliveau got named to Team USA, so he’ll be skipping the AFL for the World Cup and the Pan-Am Games.

Bauer’s just tired. He threw a lot of pitches at UCLA.

BTW, if I were the GM of the Pirates, I would have taken Bauer or Rendon with the #1 pick in the draft, depending on medical reports. I think Bauer is going to be great.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 19, 2011 11:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Steve Clevenger and Rafael Dolis

Were promoted to Chicago after the game. Just in time for rookie hazing!

by Josh Timmers on Sep 19, 2011 1:15 AM CDT reply actions

Thanks for all the hard work with the recaps!!

They have been uite enjoyable to read.

It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??

by Invalid User on Sep 19, 2011 5:36 AM CDT reply actions

Ditto in all regards

It’s one of my favorite features in the Cubs blogging world, Josh. Thanks.

Bleacher Nation - Cubs Rumors and News

by Brett Taylor on Sep 19, 2011 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Hear hear!

These recaps are invaluable, and are obviously the product of a lot of work. Thank you so much, Josh, for the time and effort you expend giving us some hope that better days—and some better players—might lie ahead.

"It is history that teaches us to hope" -- R. E. Lee
But Lee wasn't a Cubs fan.

by TPM08 on Sep 19, 2011 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for all the work you put into the recaps Josh!

We'll miss you Big Boy. #10 for Hall of Fame.

by mrcubsfan on Sep 19, 2011 8:05 AM CDT reply actions

I can't agree more

Bravo

Numbers may not lie, but they don’t tell the whole truth (and nothing but the truth), either. -- Doug Glanville

by leothelip on Sep 19, 2011 8:09 AM CDT up reply actions

Overall a pretty good season on the farm.

I think the systems is doing well, and hope it starts paying dividends. I hope also there is a new manager that will work with the new GM in a fashion that the kids get better.
Once again thanks Josh, for the most part this was the most enjoyable experience for Cub baseball this year.

by Grockcubs on Sep 19, 2011 8:32 AM CDT reply actions

As always, Josh, a big thank you from me for all the work you do on these.

Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation

by Al Yellon on Sep 19, 2011 8:51 AM CDT reply actions

hope Clevenger gets a start

Maybe not against Milw or St L if games meaninful but last series let’s see what the kid can do. Is Dolis a future closer candidate?

will miss the minors wrapups a lot great job I’d love to see a year-end wrap listing or updating top prospects….BJaxx still has to be No. 1 but Szczur closing fast, no? Hope some pitchers emerge next spring but we need to sign or trade for at least 1 maybe 2.

by QuincyCub on Sep 19, 2011 9:27 AM CDT reply actions

Thanks for all you do, Josh.

My only question about this game is: Was McNutt’s pitch count really high? Or is it typical to pull a starter so early from the game — even in the playoffs?

Baseball is pitching, offensive production, baserunning and defense.

by daver on Sep 19, 2011 9:57 AM CDT reply actions

McNutt had control problems

He put two on in the fifth inning and was having trouble throwing strikes. The Smokies were trying to prevent the game from getting out of hand and brought in Rhoderick to shut down the BayBears. He did that, but the problems started after Rhoderick was pulled in favor of Hatley.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 19, 2011 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions

(Being Facetious) Smokies Are A Bunch of Choke Artists

They’ve been so talented in recent years, but they can’t win the big one. They are the Buffalo Bills of the Southern League. They’ve got to clean house in Kodak. (Again, being facetious)

Seriously, though, the Smokies have had a tremendous run of success in the last three years that we hope will translate eventually into National League pennants for Chicago.

Good things come to those who wait... and wait....and wait.

by memphiscub on Sep 19, 2011 11:21 AM CDT reply actions

It's the most wins ever

over a three year period in the 115 year history of the Smokies. Well, they claim to be 115 years old, anyway.

Yet they haven’t won an outright championship since 1974. They split the 2000 title when Hurrican Ivan cancelled the post-season, but they haven’t won a title on the field since 1974.

by Josh Timmers on Sep 19, 2011 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Kudos Josh

for bringing us an exciting summer of Cubs minor league coverage.

You did a fantastic and insightful job of covering all the teams and giving us the wrap-ups in a very colorful way! Thanks again for all your hard work this past season!

If you think you've seen it all...just wait!

by CubFanSince1970 on Sep 19, 2011 11:42 AM CDT reply actions

Great work Josh

Can’t wait for the recaps next year!

by Mulhollandmania on Sep 19, 2011 11:54 AM CDT reply actions

Thanks Josh

I will be counting the days until your next recap. Can’t come soon enough.

by Bobudabi on Sep 19, 2011 1:28 PM CDT reply actions

Player and Pitcher of the Year!

I don’t see how anyone but Bryan LaHair gets this, no matter what his age. Since he has backed it up in his September callup, that seals the deal for me.

What a terrible year for minor league pitching. I find myself looking at relief pitchers, and the numbers of Jeffery Beliveau were outstanding. I hope he gets rostered, because you can’t argue with that kind of success. His control is way better than Gaub’s or Maine’s, so let’s hope they make room for him.

-- Jerome Horwitz

by KO Stradivarius on Sep 19, 2011 2:51 PM CDT reply actions

Any relation to Jean?

Beliveau one of the greatest names EVER for a hockey player….suggests grace, style, puckhandling…all of which I believe he had. And I think he’s still with us!!

Is this guy even French? does he pronounce it the same way? Whatever, hope he develops into something decent…we could really be stacked with LH relievers (allowing us to trade a Russell for a starting prospect, eventually, or reconsider Marshall as starter).

by QuincyCub on Sep 19, 2011 2:59 PM CDT reply actions