MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com-SEVIERVILLE, Tenn.– The Tennessee Smokies rebounded from a tough loss in Sunday’s series opener to Huntsville to defeat the Stars, 7-2, at Smokies Park. With the win, which came at the expense of manager Ryne Sandberg being ejected in the third inning, the Smokies closed Huntsville’s division lead in the second half to one game.

Similar to Sunday’s series opener, Huntsville got out to an early 1-0 lead in the first. It could have been much worse for the Smokies though, as a Freddy Parejo fly ball in the second with one on looked to clear the left-field fence. Tennessee’s Ty Wright would have none of it though, snatching the long fly from above the wall to save two runs.

Tennessee finally broke through with four runs in the fourth to go up 4-1. Darwin Barney scored Tennessee’s first run on a Ty Wright single, with Marquez Smith, Ty Wright and Tony Thomas scoring the team’s other three runs in the frame.

The Smokies would add three more in the seventh, much of the damage on the heels of a Ty Wright single that brought in Jonathan Mota and Barney. Jim Adduci followed with a single that scored Smith, putting the Smokies up 7-2.
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The five-run lead would be more than enough for Tennessee starter Casey Coleman, who improved to 8-3 on the year. In 6.2 innings of work, he scattered seven hits and allowed only two runs, walking two and striking out six. Reliever Alex Maestri came in to shut down Huntsville over the final 2.1 innings, getting his second save of the year.

Huntsville’s David Welch (4-6) took the loss Monday night for the road team.

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