IT WAS TIED...AND THEN IT WASN'T;

HITMEN SUCCUMB TO WALK-OFF SF, 6-5!

As the HITMEN built a strong foundation with a four-run third inning, the Smokies constructed a solid picket fence with six individual runs in every odd inning, plus one in the sixth inning for good measure.

 

LEADER OF THE PACK: Teams with a pitcher who can "eat" innings feel very fortunate. The HITMEN have MARC CANALES, who doesn't just "eat" innings, he devours them. MARC is first in Games Started and third in Innings Pitched in AAA. If the umpires ever start checking pitchers for a sticky, foreign substance, they'll have to check his heart instead of his hands because that is where all of his pitches originate from.

 

ATHLETICISM ALL AROUND THE INFIELD: The HITMEN had more bodies diving, twisting, and flying than a high-wire trapeze act in a circus. Going "around the horn", third baseman RYAN ELLIOTT successfully charged a bunt, barehanded the ball, and retired the sacrificer. Later, RYAN dove and backhanded a vicious ground ball that was heading up the line and making its way to left field. RYAN bounced to his feet and had enough on his throw to rob the Smokie of a hit and extra bases. Shortstop CHRISTIAN TINTLE advertised the circus was in town with a circus catch of his own on a pop-up beyond shortstop and into shallow left field. CHRISTIAN also payed homage to Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. with a backhanded flying snag of a base hit in the hole. First baseman SASHA BOGHOSIAN showed off his salesmen skills after a valient diving effort on a pop-up in foul territory. Catcher JESSIE RAMIREZ and second baseman ZACH SLOANE performed a picture-perfect "throw it down and tag him out" caught stealing scenario. And finally, pitcher MARC CANALES streaked (sorry, he kept his uniform on) off the mound to glove a bunt attempt just before it was going to make contact with the infield grass.

 

ALL HAIL THE ALL-STARS!!! The HITMEN will be represented at the AAA All-Star game by MICHAEL McVEY, CHRISTIAN TINTLE, RYAN ELLIOTT, and LEIF SOLHEIM (2 week IL). CONGRATULATIONS!!!