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 Tennessee Smokies

Blackburn, Happ Lead Smokies to 3-0 Shutout of Blue Wahoos

June 26, 2016 - Southern League (SL1)
Tennessee Smokies News Release


SEVIERVILLE - The Smokies picked up their fourth shutout of the season as they topped the Blue Wahoos 3-0 on Sunday evening. 2B Ian Happ continued his hot start at the Double-A level as he went 3-for-4 on the night and drove in one run.

The Smokies' pitching staff was stellar during the win as well as they gave up just three hits and nine strikeouts.

Tennessee improved to 2-2 in the second half with the win while Pensacola dropped to the same mark for the second half with the loss. The Smokies are now 30-44 on the season while the Blue Wahoos fell to 43-31.

The first three games of the five-game series saw the two teams get on the board in the first inning, but it took three innings for the offense to get going on Sunday evening.

The Smokies jumped ahead to a 1-0 lead in the third inning, which was jumpstarted by a lead off single off of the bat of CF Jacob Hannemann (2-4, R). Hannemann stole second base and was driven home thanks to a two-out double from Happ (3-4, RBI).

Tennessee matched their one-run third and pushed their lead to 2-0 in the fourth frame as LF Trey Martin (0-1, RBI, SO, BB) laid down a sacrifice bunt that allowed RF Billy McKinney (2-3, R, BB) to scamper home.

RHP Paul Blackburn (6.0 IP, 2 H, 5 SO, 3 BB) made his first start since June 12, and the Southern League All-Star found his groove right away on Sunday evening. The California native did not give up his first hit until the third inning and retired the Blue Wahoos in order in both the fifth and sixth innings. He improved to 5-2 on the year as he picked up the win.

The Smokies tagged RHP Jackson Stepehens (5.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 SO, 5 BB) for another run in the sixth inning to extend their lead to 3-0. C Victor Caratini (0-3, R, BB) led off the inning with a walk then moved to third after McKinney singled to right. SS Daniel Lockhart (1-4, RBI SO) picked up an RBI as he drove in Caratini with a single between the first and second basemen. Stephens fell to 5-6 on the year as he suffered the loss for Pensacola on Sunday.

RHP Jacob Ehret (1.2 IP, H, 2 SO) came on in relief for the Blue Wahoos to get the final two outs in the sixth and he did just that in striking out Martin and PH Bijan Rademacher (0-1, SO).

Tennessee gave the mound to RHP James Farris (2.0 IP, H, 4 SO) to begin the seventh and the former Arizona Wildcat retired Pensacola in order. Farris gave up a single to 2B Alex Blandino (1-4, SO), but also picked up three strikeouts in the eighth inning.

RHP Juan Paniagua (1.0 IP, BB) took the mound for Tennessee in the ninth frame and despite walking LF Phillip Ervin (1-3, BB) to begin the inning he was successful in picking up his fourth save of the year.

Tennessee and Pensacola will conclude their five-game series on Monday night with the first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. ET from Smokies Stadium. The Smokies will turn to RHP Brad Markey (5-3, 2.41 ERA) while the Blue Wahoos will give the mound to RHP Barrett Astin (5-1, 2.58 ERA).

The Pilot Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 6:50 p.m. ET, leading up to the 7:05 p.m. ET first pitch. Monday evening's broadcast can be heard on Sports Radio WNML 99.1 FM and 990 AM, as well as online at http://smokiesbaseball.com/ or via the TuneIn Radio or MiLB First Pitch apps.

Monday will be a McGhee Tyson Airport Dollar Monday. Fans can purchase hot dogs, popcorn, programs and small Pepsi products for as cheap as $1. Following the final out, children in attendance can run the bases courtesy of Shoney's.

The Tennessee Smokies Charity of Choice for the 2016 season is Alzheimer's Tennessee. Alzheimer's Tennessee's mission is to serve those facing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, to promote brain health through education, and to champion global prevention and treatment efforts. For more information on how to join the Tennessee Smokies in helping Alzheimer's Tennessee achieve their mission, please visit http://www.alztennessee.org/smokies/.

Single-game tickets, as well as multi-voucher and season ticket packages are still available, and can be purchased online at http://smokiesbaseball.com/, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at file://localhost/tel/865-286-2300.


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