Slaughters' Two Homers Powers Smokies Past Pensacola, 14-4
September 7, 2022 - Southern League (SL)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
KODAK, Tenn. - The Tennessee Smokies (68-58, 31-26) routed the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (63-57, 28-28) 14-4 Tuesday night at Smokies Stadium to open their final homestand of the year. With the win and a Birmingham loss, the Smokies clinched the wild card spot as the second-best team in the Southern League North, and they can officially lock down a postseason berth as soon as Wednesday night.
Third baseman Jake Slaughter provided the Smokies' offense in the 10-run win, their largest margin of victory this season. Slaughter opened the night's scoring with a two-run homer in the first off Zach King (L, 2-5), and he capped the night with a grand slam, finishing with six RBIs. Slaughter is batting .310 for the year and is 29 plate appearances shy of qualifying for the batting title.
The offensive outburst was more than enough to back RHP Chris Clarke (W, 7-4), who turned in a quality start for his seventh win of the season. He tossed six innings of one-run ball, striking out fivee while needing 74 pitches to do so.
The Smokies will play the second game of their final homestand of the regular season Wednesday night against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. First pitch is set for 7:15 PM ET when the Smokies send RHP Riley Thompson (1-5, 5.36) to the mound against RHP Cody Mincey (5-5, 4.91). Fans can catch the action on 99.1 The Sports Animal or by visiting https://www.milb.com/tennessee/fans/audio-listen-live.
The Smokies will give away Batman bobbleheads on Sept. 10 as a part of Batman Night and will host Fan Appreciation Day on Sept. 11, the final home game of the regular season. The Smokies will also give away Trey Lipscomb bobbleheads on Sunday. For tickets call (865) 286-2300 or visit smokiesbaseball.com.
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- Slaughters' Two Homers Powers Smokies Past Pensacola, 14-4 - Knoxville Smokies
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