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Tennessee Smokies

Smokies Erupt for Five Runs in the Fifth, Top Shuckers 7-2

May 19, 2016 - Southern League (SL1)
Tennessee Smokies News Release


SEVIERVILLE - For the first time in their last five series openers the Smokies came out on top in game-one against Biloxi as they topped the Shuckers 7-2 on Thursday night. LHP Rob Zastryzny put on a show in front of the 3,380 fans at Smokies Stadium allowing just two earned runs and struck out eight Biloxi batters.

With the win, the Smokies jump to 19-22 on the year while the Shuckers now sit at 24-16.

It did not take long for either team to get on the scoreboard as the Shuckers opened the scoring up on just their second at-bat as C Jacob Nottingham (1-4, RBI, R, 2 SO) hit a high fly ball to left that just crept over the wall for a solo home run.

The Smokies did not let the Shuckers hold onto the lead long as they answered right back with two runs of their own in the first. RHP Brandon Woodruff (4.0 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 4 SO, 3 BB) began his Double-A debut by walking CF Matt Szczur (0-1, R, BB, SO). Szczur has been with the Chicago Cubs all season and joined the Smokies on a rehab assignment. He hit .367 in 21 games with the Cubs before joining the Smokies.

2B Chesny Young (2-4, 2 R) then singled to left and then moved to second after a passed ball from Nottingham behind the plate while Szczur advanced to third as well. 3B Jeimer Candelario (2-4, 2 RBI, R, SO) grounded out to second but it allowed Szczur to score. McKinney (2-4, 2 RBI, R, SO) then drove in Young with a single to right.

The offense cooled down for both sides until the home half of the fifth when the Smokies erupted for five runs.

CF Jacob Hannemann (0-2, R, BB) entered the game for Szczur in the fifth and drew a walk to begin the frame. Young followed that up with a single before the Shuckers went to the bullpen and gave the mound to LHP Jed Bradley (3.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, BB, 2 SO). Bradley began his work by surrendering a double to LF Mark Zagunis (1-4, 2 RBI, R, SO) that drove home both Hannemann and Young. Zagunis was then driven in by Candelario on a single to right.

McKinney then came to the plate and sent a fly ball to right that caught the top of the wall. He arrived at third as 2B Chris McFarland (1-4, SO) made a wild throw home in an attempt to get Candelario out but with the ball going to the wall McKinney was able to score as well on the error. McKinney was credited with a triple on the hit that gave the Smokies a 7-1 advantage.

While he allowed an earned run in the first, Zastryzny (7.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 8 SO, BB) found his rhythm from there on out for the Smokies. The former Missouri Tiger retired 15 straight batters after the first to go along with six strikeouts and one walk during that stretch. He improved to 3-2 on the year with the win.

The Shuckers found a crack in Zastryzny's armor in the seventh however as they were able to make it a 7-2 Tennessee lead. CF Tyrone Taylor (2-3, R, BB) hit a one out single to center then was driven home courtesy of a single from McFarland. Hannemann was credited with a fielding error as he bobbled the rolling ball in an attempt to get it back to the infield.

The Smokies gave the mound to RHP Starling Peralta (1.1 IP, H, 2 SO) with two outs and one runner on for the Shuckers in the bottom of the eighth and the 25-year-old struck out two on his way to the final four outs of the contest.

The Smokies and Shuckers will meet up again Friday night. The Smokies are set to give the mound to RHP Duane Underwood Jr. (0-1, 4.76 ERA) while the Shuckers will turn to RHP Adrian Houser (2-4, 7.18 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 from Smokies Stadium. Friday's broadcast can be heard on exclusively online at SmokiesBaseball.com or via the TuneIn Radio or MiLB First Pitch apps. The game can also be watched online via MiLB.tv

Friday will be Daddy-Daughter Date Night at Smokies Stadium. Patrons can purchase a package that includes two tickets, two meal vouchers, a Smokies cap, a pink foam finger and a pink Smokies' logo baseball for less than $60 dollars. One special father and daughter will also have the opportunity to throw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to the game. It will also be Monsters and Princesses Night. The festivities will include a special appearance by Ariel from The Little Mermaid and unique on-field games, music and videoboard graphics during the game. Following the final out, there will be a spectacular Postgame Fireworks display presented by Pepsi, Coors Light, WIVK, WVLT and the Knoxville News Sentinel.

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Southern League Stories from May 19, 2016


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