Hoerner Comes Through in the Eighth to Seal Smokies' 4-3 Win
April 6, 2019 - Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
Tennessee Smokies pitcher Jordan Minch
(Knoxville Smokies)
SEVIERVILLE - Nico Hoerner's RBI-single in the bottom of the eighth inning was the difference in a 4-3 victory for the Tennessee Smokies (2-1) against the Mississippi Braves (1-2) on Saturday night. RHP Keegan Thompson tossed five hitless innings while striking out eight in his 2019 debut.
The Smokies jumped to an early 1-0 lead thanks to Jared Young's second home run of the season, a towering shot to right. They would add to their lead in the fifth on an Eddy Martinez RBI-single and a Charcer Burks sacrifice fly.
The M-Braves would answer back in the sixth when Ray-Patrick Didder smacked a two-run triple to right field. In the eighth, they would tie the game on a LHP Jordan Minch (W, 1-0) wild pitch.
Tennessee came right back in the bottom of the frame against RHP Jason Hursh (L, 0-1). Roberto Caro bunted his way on base to start the inning. An error on a pickoff attempt moved Caro to second before he tagged up to third on a fly ball to right field off the bat of Christian Donahue. Hoerner then bounced as slow-roller to shortstop, and his speed took care of the rest. He beat the throw to first with two outs, allowing Caro to score the go-ahead run.
RHP Craig Brooks (S, 2) struck out the side in the ninth and stranded the tying run at second base to earn his second save of the year.
The Smokies look to win the first series of the year at 2 PM ET on a US Cellular Family Funday Sunday afternoon. LHP Justin Steele starts for Tennessee against Mississippi's RHP Patrick Weigel.
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 Tennessee Smokies pitcher Jordan Minch |
Southern League Stories from April 6, 2019
- Lookouts Claim First Win of 2019 - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Smeltzer Takes Perfect Game into Fifth in Wahoos Shutout Win - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Errors Prove Costly in Loss on Saturday - Mississippi Braves
- Shrimp and Generals Put on Pause by Weather - Jackson Generals
- Hoerner Comes Through in the Eighth to Seal Smokies' 4-3 Win - Knoxville Smokies
- Biscuits Drop Tough One, 6-5 - Montgomery Biscuits
- Fog Suspends Shuckers and Barons - Biloxi Shuckers
- Fog Suspends Barons-Shuckers - Birmingham Barons
- Rain Suspends Jumbo Shrimp and Generals on Saturday - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Generals Gameday: April 6 at Jacksonville - Jackson Generals
- Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Game Notes, April 6 vs. Jackson - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Bird, Mahoney to Jacksonville, Alvarez to Injured List, Mills to Extended Spring Training - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Worth the Wait: Shuckers Sweep Twin Bill against Barons - Biloxi Shuckers
- Strong Starting Pitching Leads Wahoos to Opening Day Doubleheader Sweep - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Barons Falter in Season-Opening Doubleheader against Biloxi - Birmingham Barons
- Crowd of 5,743 Packs the Park in 3-1 Loss - Chattanooga Lookouts
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