Ian Happ gives Smokies lead in extra innings with third Double-A home run
Ian Happ started in right field Wednesday night as he continues to see a lot of time in the outfield. Happ hit third for Mark Johnson behind the rehabbing Jorge Soler. And Happ came up big in the 10th inning.
Ian Happ launched a home run in the 10th that broke a 5-5 tie. Victor Caratini followed Happ with a solo shot of his own and the back-to-back jacks gave Double-A Tennessee a two-run lead over Birmingham. As it turned out, the Smokies would need both of those runs after the Barons scored a run in the bottom of the 10th and Mark Johnson had to call on James Farris to record the final out.
Happ ended the night 1-for-4 with a home run, a walk and three runs scored. Happ has hit safely in five straight and seven of the last 10.
Mick Gillispie, the Smokies excellent play-by-play man, tweeted after the game that Happ’s at-bat in the 10th was “one of the best Smokies’ at-bats in the last decade.” Happ saw nine pitches before going yard for the eventual game winner.
That’s high-praise from Mick Gillispie considering the Cubs’ prospects he has seen firsthand between Double-A Tennessee and calling spring games with Len Kasper.
Ian Happ appears to have adjusted back to the league. After a rough stretch, Happ is 7-for-23 over his last five games with a walk.
In 37 games for Double-A Tennessee this season, Ian Happ has hit .285/.318/.417 with 10 doubles and three home runs for a .735 OPS. Combined with the stats from High-A Myrtle Beach, Happ is hitting .292/.378/.453 with 26 doubles, three triples and 10 home runs for a .831 OPS.