September 1, 2004

Zebulon, NC - Nate Espy hit a pinch-homer in a five-run eighth as Tennessee defeated Carolina 8-3 at Five County Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Smokies broke a 3-3 tie on a single by Milko Jaramillo in the eighth to score Dan Moylan from third base.

Carolina (33-32, 70-65) went ahead 2-0 at the end of the third on a double by Dennis Anderson in the second and a solo homer from Chip Ambres (HR, 20) against Smokies starter Anthony Reyes in the third.

Tennessee tied the game in the fourth inning against Jeff Fulchino on a home run by Chris Duncan and a two-out single by Jaramillo, part of a three-RBI night. Fulchino was working on a two-hit shutout, but was bothered by an undisclosed injury before the fourth inning started. Fulchino pitched the fourth, but did not come out for the fifth.

The Smokies went ahead in the sixth against reliever Brian Strelitz on a grounder by Jaramillo. Carolina tied the game on a single by Andy Rohleder in the bottom half.

Mike Flannery (L, 4-2) allowed five runs in the eighth inning, as Tennessee batted around, to register the loss

Carolina, leading the season-series 14-13, plays its final game against the Smokies this season Thursday night at 7:15 PM ET. Peter Bauer (5-10) starts against Buddy Blair (0-0).

Tennessee 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 5 0 --- 8 13 1 10
Carolina 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 --- 3 7 1 6

WP - Axelson (6-5) LP - Flannery (4-2) S - None.

HR - Ambres (20), Duncan (14), Espy (11)

Time: 2:54
Att: 1,201