Tennessee Smokies Pitch Five-Hit Shutout of the Jacksonville Suns in 2-0 Victory
Friday, April 11, 2008 at 01:49PM MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com – KODAK, TENN. – Two first inning runs held up for the Tennessee Smokies (4-3) as Smokies starter Jeff Samardzija and three relievers combined on a five-hit shutout of the Jacksonville Suns (4-3) Thursday night with a final score of 2-0 in front of 2,219 at Smokies Park.
Samardzija (2-0), a former Notre Dame wide receiver in his second season with Tennessee, picked up the victory after seven innings while Suns starter Clayton Kershaw (0-2) fell in the loss. Tennessee’s Michael Cooper (2) saved the game.
The Tennessee offense got things started in the first inning against Suns starter Clayton Kershaw with three consecutive two-out hits. Ryan Harvey’s double started the string, scoring Joe Simokaitis who had reached on a walk earlier, opening a 1-0 lead. Kyle Reynolds next singled home Harvey for a 2-0 Smokies advantage.
ADVERTISEMENT On the other side, Samardzija made the two run lead hold as he allowed only four hits in seven innings with 80 pitches. The hard-throwing right hander walked one with five strikeouts in his second start of 2008.
Kershaw finished five innings, allowing the two first inning runs on seven hits with two walks and a Suns season high eight strikeouts.
The Suns put a scare into Tennessee in the eighth inning with two runners on and one out after a walk, fielder’s choice and a single. Greg Jacobs flied out to the right fielder before Lucas May grounded out to end the inning.
Jacksonville relievers Kyle Wilson (two innings) and Zach Hammes (one inning) saw time behind Kershaw.
The Suns and Smokies meet in game three of the series Friday at 7:15 p.m. ET. Suns LH Marlon Arias (1-0, 0.00) will face Smokies RH Mitch Atkins (0-0, 2.25). Fans can follow the action in Jacksonville on AM 930 The Fox or online at jaxsuns.com.
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