SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Smokies Bullpen Falters in Loss to Braves

Published on May 20, 2018 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


SEVIERVILLE, TN - The Smokies were defeated by the Mississippi Braves on Sunday afternoon 7-4. Tennessee will look for the series win on Monday in the series finale against the Braves.

Oscar De La Cruz took the mound for the Smokies and was good through the first four innings, allowing just one hit. De La Cruz also helped his own cause in the third inning as he got the Smokies first hit of the game. But, De La Cruz hit a speed bump in the fifth as he loaded the bases and allowed two runs to score. De La Cruz finished the game going five innings, allowing the two runs on three hits and striking out five.

The Smokies got on the board first after three scoreless innings. In the bottom of the fourth, Jason Vosler broke out of a slump as he hit his sixth home run of the season, a solo shot to right, that put the Smokies up 1-0.

Daury Torrez relieved De La Cruz in the sixth innings and struggled as well, as he gave up four runs on four hits in his one inning of work. James Norwood replaced Torrez in the seventh and pitched an inning, giving up one run.

With the Smokies down 6-1 in the bottom of the sixth, Vosler came through again as he tried to spark a comeback. With two outs, Zack Short singled to bring up Vosler. Vosler immediately cut the Braves lead to 6-3 as he hit his second home run of the game over the right field fence, his seventh of the season.

Jake Stinnett pitched the last two innings of the game for the Smokies, allowing no runs on one hit. In the ninth, the Smokies made one last rally. Trent Giambrone doubled with one out. After a groundout moved him to third, Erick Castillo knocked him in to make it 7-4.

The Smokies will be back in action on Monday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. as they finish out the series with the Braves. Michael Rucker is the projected starter for the Smokies as he looks for his fourth win of the season. The Braves will counter with Enderson Franco as he looks for his second win of the season. Tomorrow's contest will be U Choose Kindness Day presented by Sevier Air.

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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Southern League Stories from May 20, 2018


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