SL Knoxville Smokies

Dominate Defense Defines Night for Smokies in 3-0 Win Over Barons

Published on July 6, 2023 under Southern League (SL)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


KODAK, Tenn. - The Tennessee Smokies pitched one of their strongest defensive efforts of the year in a 3-0 ballgame that saw elite pitching and electric diving catches.

Smokies starter Kohl Franklin had arguably one of his best performances of the year with seven strikeouts and only 2 hits through 4 innings of work, as pitching was the story of the night. Smokies pitchers combined for only 3 hits and no runs on the night.

The top of the second saw some action for Birmingham, with the Barons getting a single and a double in the inning, but a fantastic just-in-time-throwby a Scott McKeon/ Owen Caissie relay ended the Baron's threat and put out Luis Miesis at home to keep Birmingham off the board.

The first score of the game came on a line-drive single by Pete Crow-Armstrong in the bottom of the fifth. PCA's hit drove in Scott McKeon from third to make the score 1-0 after he doubled and then advanced to second on a throwing error.

Defensive-wise for the Smokies, Pete Crow-Armstrong had two circus-like sliding catches in center field to prevent any chance of the Barons getting hot, further cementing himself as the Cub's top prospect and future MLB star.

WATCH - PCA Diving Catch

In the bottom of the eighth with the bases loaded, Andy Weber tacked on some insurance when he sent a line drive down center field to score runners from second and third and bring the game to 3-0.

The Barons threatened in the top of the ninth with runners on second and third, but fantastic defense by the Smokies again ended any chance of a comeback for Birmingham.

Final score: Smokies 3, Barons 0

The series continues tomorrow night (7/7) at 7:00 PM EDT for our Summer Fireworks Series! The fireworks will begin immediately following the end of the game! Presented by Pepsi, Coors Light, and Remote Area Medical

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Call (865) 286-2300 or visitsmokiesbaseball.com

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Southern League Stories from July 6, 2023


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