Bernard Leads Smokies to Dramatic Walk-Off Win
Published on July 28, 2018 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
Sevierville, TN - The Tennessee Smokies beat the Chattanooga Lookouts 4-1 on Saturday night at Smokies Stadium. Tennessee did not score until the ninth inning, when Wynton Bernard hit a walk-off grand slam to give the Smokies a win. The grand slam was in front of a crowd of 8,099, a season high and second largest in stadium history.
Chattanooga scored the first run of the game on a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning, making it 1-0 Lookouts. The game remained tied until the ninth inning. Ian Rice drew a walk with one out in the inning and Eddy Martinez followed with a single to put runners on first and second. After a pop out for the second out of the frame, Connor Myers walked to load the bases for Wynton Bernard. Down two strikes, Bernard crushed a grand slam to left center field, scoring four runs and giving the Smokies a 4-1 victory.
Michael Rucker started on the mound for Tennessee. Rucker pitched 5.0 innings, allowing one run on four hits and three walks. He also struck out five in the start. Rucker was relieved by James Buckelew to start the sixth inning. Buckelew threw 3.0 shutout innings, giving up just one hit. He also walked one and struck out one in relief. Buckelew handed the ball to Zach Hedges to start the ninth inning. Hedges pitched a scoreless frame, allowing just one hit.
Tennessee and Chattanooga will meet for the second game of the series on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. Keegan Thompson (2-1, 3.77 ERA) is going to start on the mound for the Smokies. Thompson is coming off a no decision against Birmingham on July 24, where he pitched 5.0 innings and allowed two runs. He is holding batters to a .217 batting average in the last 30 days.
Written by Blake Von Hagen, Broadcast Assistants for the Tennessee Smokies
The full schedule for this season and information regarding single-game tickets, season tickets, and mini plans can be found online at smokiesbaseball.com, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300.
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